St. Edmund Campion Church

 

Readings

	First Reading		Acts 5:12-16		High morale and healing influence of the early Christians.
	Responsorial Psalm		Psalm 117: 2-4, 22-27		R./: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.
	Second Reading		Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19		John sees risen Jesus, in the form of the glorious Son of Man.
	Gospel		John 20:19-31		The presence of the risen Jesus dispels fear and brings peace to his friends.

 

Mass Intentions

All Mass this weekend are for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, May he rest in peace.

	Saturday 26th April			6:15pm		Margaret O'Donnell		RIP
	Sunday 27th			11:15am		Thankgiving for Baby Xavier
	Sunday 27th			11:15am		Michael John & Kathleen Kelly		RIP
	Monday 28th			9:30am		Feast of St George.		For our Parish and for England
	Thursday 1st			9:30am		Wilma Hopkins		RIP AN
	Friday 2nd			7pm		Lavinia Clarke		RIP AN

 

Baptisms

	Saturday 26th April			Elliott & Amelie, children of Fiona & Christopher
	Sunday 27th April			Zachary, son of Gemma & Benjamin
	Saturday 3rd May			Michelle & Natalie, daughters of Chi Chiu & Ping Yuk
	Sunday 4th May			Max, son of Kathryn & William

HOUSE BLESSING: House blessings (also known as house healings, house clearings, house cleansings and space clearing) are rites intended to protect the inhabitants of a house or apartment. It is also there asking God’s protection and blessing upon each member of the family. In Christianity, house blessing is an ancient tradition dating back to the early days, that is usually performed by a priest who sprinkles holy water and blessed salt as he walks through every room of the house, accompanied by the occupants of the house, whilst praying for the occupants. If you would like your home/apartment/room blessed, then please contact one of the priests and a time and date can be arranged. The blessing ritual takes about 20 minutes, and it is lovely if all occupants of the home are present.

ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? Thank you for your interest in our parish. Whether you're just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we are happy to answer your questions, listen to your comments and help you in any way that we can. We are a parish of the Diocese of Portsmouth, and are a very vibrant community, made up of ‘old’ Maidenhead families and relative “newcomers” from all walks of life. We hope that you find our Catholic parish a caring community that is loving, welcoming and supportive of all. Our mission is to grow in the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit, to be formed by the Word and our prayer, to use our gifts to welcome those who are here and reach out to those who are not. We invite you to join us as partners in the mission. Together, let us get to know Christ better and to make Him better known. May God Bless you wherever you are and thank you for exploring our website and newsletter. Please stop by the parish office to introduce yourself! We would love to meet you.

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday of the month is traditionally a time when a priest visits a home to anoint anyone who is house bound, with holy oil, and to administer the sacrament of Holy Communion. The parish has several people on this list. If indeed, you or someone you know would like a visit from a priest, then please contact Fr. Liam, Fr. Ephraim or Fr. Tom.

FIRST FRIDAY HEALING MASS These special Masses will take place on:

• Friday 2^nd May 10am at St. Joseph’s; 7pm at St. Edmund Campion Church; 10am St Thomas More, Twyford

• Friday 6^th June 10am at St. Joseph’s; 7pm at St. Edmund Campion Church; 10am St Thomas More, Twyford

WHAT IS A HEALING MASS?

Healing Masses are opportunities to directly seek physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing. These Masses include a homily that is focused on healing, prayers of the faithful that are directly asking God to heal us, and prayers after communion that are prayed by the Priest to help facilitate greater healing in our lives.

The Mass is the most powerful way that we can seek healing as Christians. Jesus is present in the Mass through the Scriptures, through giving Himself to us in His Body and His Blood, and through our worship of Him. He is the one who heals us. The Mass helps to facilitate the healing that Jesus wants to give to all of us.

BAPTISMAL COURSE The Baptismal Course is available for all Parents whose child is being Baptised at either St Joseph’s, St Elizabeth’s or St Edmund Campion. The course is a 90 minute preparation and guidance. It is held at St Joseph’s the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. The next meetings are:

• Tuesday 6^th May 2025
• Tuesday 3^rd June 2025

DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER: The Diocesan Mailing is produced every week and contains news, training opportunities and events from around the diocese and wider Catholic Church. The weekly newsletter is designed to bring you the latest information and events, straight to your email inbox. We try to keep it short and sweet (though, occasionally we can't help but get carried away with a great story or a brilliant opportunity). Click or go to the following site to sign up: www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

House Masses/Blessings: Father Liam is more than happy to celebrate a House Mass or a House Blessing for any family or group of families who would like it. If you are interested, then please email Father Liam or telephone the Parish Office.

Contact: If you wish to speak to Father Liam in confidence on any matter, please contact him for an appointment. He is always happy to visit your home if so desired. Email: lcummins@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk Telephone: 07776580596

Hospital: If you are going into hospital or know or someone that is, please inform the hospital chaplain on arrival. Please also let Father Liam know so that arrangements can be made for a visit. Please note that under the Data Protection Act, hospital staff cannot disclose patient information. We rely on Parishioners to keep us in the loop.

Housebound: If you know of anyone who is sick and/or housebound please let Ruth (Parish Office) or Father Liam know so that a visit can be arranged.

NEW MASS TIME From 9^th March until Pentecost, there is a 5pm Sunday evening Mass in St Joseph’s

THANK YOU: Fathers Liam, Ephraim and Kevin write: 

‘We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation and thanks for the kindness you have shown to us during this special time of Easter. Your cards, notes, letters and gifts have been so kind and generous, yet let us assure you that, your prayers are most highly valued and needed.  You are a truly remarkable community.  You have taught us so much about what it means to be a vibrant and generous church community. It was wonderful to see our churches in the parishes filled with parishioners and visitors over the Easter Triduum and Easter Sunday morning. 

We wish you plenty of Resurrection Greetings!

God bless you all,

Fathers Liam, Ephraim and Kevin

ST. GEORGE’S DAY: (celebrated Monday 28^th April).  April 23^rd is believed to be the day that George died.  It was the year 303 and Christians were tortured and executed for their faith by the order of the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. George was a soldier who refused to worship the Roman gods.  As a martyr for the faith, he is venerated in many places and is patron saint of soldiers and the patron of many nations, including Lebanon; England and Georgia. He is also the patron of Palestinian Christians and of Boy Scouts. In many pieces of art, Saint George is depicted wearing armour and holding a lance or fighting a dragon, which represents Christ's enemies. For all our parishioners who come from Palestine, Lebanon, England, and Georgia we wish you a very happy and blessed feast day. Due to the Easter festivities, the feast has been transferred for this year from April 23^rd to April 28^th.

Prayer for St. George

Heavenly Father, give us the bravery of St George to stand up for the truth and the glory of God that we have seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Give us the strength to overcome in our lives and in the world, all that is contrary to your rule of justice and love.

Help us to be good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind.

let the oppressed go free and proclaim the good news of God's favour and Jubilee.

 Amen

MINISTRY OF READER: Parishioners who are able and would like to become Ministers of the Word and read at Mass are welcome. We would like readers of all ages and encourage people into this Ministry. The parish has a rota and people would usually read about once every six weeks. A rota will be given well in advance. Readers are invited to be re-commissioned in their Ministry each year at the Sunday Mass at which they Minister. We also try to offer some training and some time of reflection on your Ministry. Our next course for this important ministry will be a 90-minute workshop on the following date: Saturday 3^rd May at 11am at St. Joseph’s Church

MINISTRY OF THE EUCHARIST: Special Ministers of Holy Communion are usually called forward by our community and invited to serve in this Ministry. Ministers must be over 18 years of age and have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Some of our Ministers have time available to take Holy Communion to the sick in our parish. This is a very valuable Ministry for them and the people they visit. Ministers visiting the sick will be required to complete procedures for working with Vulnerable Adults including a DBS declaration. This done through the Parish Safeguarding Officer. Ministers of Holy Communion are re-commissioned in the parish each year at the Sunday Mass at which they Minister. Our next course for this important ministry will be a 90-minute workshop on the following date: Saturday 3^rd May at 11am at St. Joseph’s Church

LYFORD GRANGE MASS (OX12 0EQ) - Sunday 11^th May 4pm This year Fr Kevin Hughes (MHM) of St Thomas More Parish, Twyford is the main celebrant for the St Edmund Campion Pilgrimage Mass to be held at Lyford Grange, near Wantage. John Lynn is running a free bus to Lyford leaving 11.15am from the Altwood school stopping at a carvery for lunch (or your own sandwiches) and then on to the Grange for Mass. Arriving back in Maidenhead at 6.45pm Please add your name to list in porch or contact John on 07931-292934.

MAIDENHEAD SVP QUIZ Friday 9^th May 2025 at St Joseph's Parish Hall with doors opening at 7:30pm for a 8:00pm start until 10:30 pm. Tickets are £5 per person and team sizes will be maximum 8 and adult only please. There will be a licensed bar and you are welcome to bring your own snacks. There will be prizes for the winning team plus a raffle and other games to participate in. All welcome. Tickets will go on sale from Saturday 22^nd March after masses at St Joseph's and St Edmund Campion churches. Also from Peter 07976625813 (St Edmund Campion) or Siobhan (St Joseph's) on 07816445416.

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING face-to-face Saturday 14^th June 10:30am-12:30pm St Edmund Campion Parish Centre. The training is open to all those in recruitment for, or currently working in roles with children and/or adults at risk. Safeguarding training must be completed every 2 years. To book your place on this course, please email: office@stedmundcampion.org.uk

CUPPA AND A CHAT New monthly group starting for parents/carers of children/adults with Special Needs/Neurodivergent. The group will meet monthly in St Edmund Campion Parish Centre on Tuesday afternoon, for a cuppa and a chat , share experience, strength and hope with each other and a prayer. First meeting is Tuesday 6^th May, 1:30pm-2:30pm (we need to finish promptly). Speak to Sandra Balogac or Isabel Masala for details. Please pray for our new group. Donations of biscuits welcome :)

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: The next classes are on Saturday 26^th April and Saturday 3^rd May, at 4:30pm, in St. Edmund Campion school.

ST JOSEPH’S NEED HELPERS! We need readers, singers, sacristans, offertory collectors for the Sunday 5pm Mass. Contact office@stjosephsparish.co.uk

REPOSITORY Please see our repository for First Holy Communion and Confirmation cards and gifts. There are also Mass cards for different occasions. Cash payments in the box on the wall please or via Dona Contactless machine.

RED BOX HOLDERS - Spring edition of Mission Today is available now. Copies can be picked up outside the Parish Office and in the church porch.

COX GREEN LUNCHEON CLUB urgently need a Cook/Chef one Tuesday a month to prepare the main course with other volunteers for approx. 50 members In the Cox Green Community Centre on Highfield Lane. POC: Pam Hitchcock on 01628 825157 or 07814 358 27

LOSS AND BEREAVEMENT GROUP The next meeting will be Sunday 11^th May 2:30pm-4:30pm.

MASS INTENTIONS: There is a long and venerable tradition in the Catholic Church that the faithful ask their priests to celebrate Holy Mass for particular, specified intentions. An individual may ask a priest to offer a Mass for several reasons: for example, in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday, good health, peace in family life), or as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died or on their anniversary. This custom, which was well-understood in generations past, is increasingly being forgotten. Since the practice is of immense spiritual benefit to both the living and the dead, and because it also helps to support your clergy and parish, we would encourage you to request that Masses be offered for your intentions.  Please contact Ruth in the Parish Office, if you wish to have a Mass celebrated for your intentions. Pope Paul VI said, “The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!” It has immense power and countless miracles and conversions have occurred throughout the centuries by offering Masses for a specific intention or person. Mass intentions are a great treasure of the Church and have a spiritual weight that is incalculable.

SIGNIFICANT WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS Saturday 21^st June at 11am St Bede’s church in Basingstoke. Are you celebrating a 25^th, 30^th, 40^th, 50^th, 60^th or anniversary over 60 years? If so, Bishop Philip would like to invite you to a Mass of celebration. This will be followed by a buffet lunch. It is a wonderful occasion to celebrate and witness to Marriage. Please contact the parish office or send an email to anniversaries@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk to request a form for you to complete and return. To help celebrate the occasion please could you provide a COPY of your Wedding photograph, you can upload it when you return the form. Again, if you have no access to the internet you can post a COPY along with completed form by post to the following address: St Bede’s Parish Office, Popley Way, Basingstoke, RG24 9DX

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

YOGA CLASSES Tuesday 11am – 11:45am The next Yoga classes will be Tuesday 27^th May at 11am. Everyone is welcome. No charge for the class, just a small donation to charity if able. For more information contact Rachel: wellhappyyoga@gmail.com or the parish office.

LOSS AND BEREAVEMENT GROUP Sunday 11^th May 2:30pm-4:30pm

PREPARING TOGETHER MARRIAGE COURSE 5^th May 2025 - Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 2HE. For more information and to book a place www.marriagecare.org.uk.

TODDLER GROUP Every Friday in termtime, 8:45am-10:45am in the Parish Centre.

LEGION OF MARY GROUP Fridays 6pm in St Joseph's Church contact Fr Ephraim 07785 727951 or Thereza 07878117907

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

GIFT AID: If you have a standing order or direct debit donation to the Parish and gift aid your donation, please complete a new Gift Aid form. These will need to be completed for all existing Gift Aid Declarations. New Direct Debit and Gift Aid forms are available in the church porch and in the drawers outside the Parish Office. Please return all completed forms to the Parish Office. Thank you to everyone who has completed a form over the last few months.

DONA CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS are now available in the church porch. You can Gift Aid your donation to the church and Second Collections. You only need to put your details in once and all future donations using the same card will be Gift Aided. Donations, Repository, Candles, Mass Intentions can all be paid for using the machine– just select the option on the screen.

WELCOME A very warm welcome to all parishioners and visitors who join us, whether in our Churches of St. Joseph’s, St. Elizabeth’s, St. Edmund Campion or via the live-stream. If you are new to the area, please register as a member of our Parishes. The parish offices are situated at St. Joseph’s Church, Cookham Road and St. Edmund Campion, Altwood Road. Carolyn or Ruth can send you a soft copy of the registration form if you so wish, or pick up a hard copy at the church. The parish office details are available on the website and in the church porch.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY - 9:30am Mass Children from the age of 4 can attend. Please put your child’s name on the register as you go into the church.

MISSALS Please email office if you want to pre-order the CTS Daily Missal available in May. £70 with Sunday, £55 weekday readings only

VOLUNTEERS: From Sunday 8^th December 2024, subscribers to the Update Service will be emailed 30 days before their renewal date to ask if they wish to stay subscribed. Renewal dates are based on original joining dates. DBS advises volunteers to check that the email address attached to their subscription is linked to the individual who is subscribed. The renewal email will ask volunteers to access their Update Service Account and confirm that they wish to continue with the service. For those who confirm, this request will be repeated annually. If no confirmation is made, their volunteer subscription will automatically be cancelled. Volunteers who do not renew their subscription will not be able to keep their DBS certificate(s) up to date and organisations will not be able to check them. They will need to reapply for a DBS if they need one in the future. If you are a volunteer that is subscribed to the update service, please check that the correct email address is linked to the subscription service.

REPOSITORY Please see our repository for cards & Mass cards for all occasions. Cash payments in the box on the wall or via the Dona contactless machine (minimum £1 payments).

RED BOXES It’s time to empty your red boxes. Please bring yours to the church and give to Lousie Jennings or Barbara McWalter at 11:15am Mass or hand them into the Parish Office. There are a number of boxes for collection in the church porch. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

PARISH COMMUNICATION We have reduced our newsletter to one two-sided A4 sheet. In order to make sure you are receiving up to date communications, please consider signing up to receive information by email. Parishioner registration forms are available in the church porch and in the drawers outside the Parish Office – please complete one and return it to the Parish office.

SCHOOL PLAYGROUND The Reception area playground is not for use at the weekends. Please make sure that children are not entering this area before or after weekend Masses. The staff prepare the area on Friday afternoon so that it is ready for learning on Monday morning. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

FOOD IN THE CHURCH The church is cleaned every Friday afternoon. Recently there appears to be a lot of food debris on the Church floor after weekend Masses. If you or your child needs to eat during Mass, can we request that you please use the Parish Centre. Thank you for your cooperation.

FOODSHARE Are you an NHS, Emergency services or a Blue Light worker. Foodshare is now operating a shop, so if you're struggling to make ends meet, for a cost of £10 per visit you can "buy" a trolley of food. Call 01628 262711 for fast and fuss free support.

VACANCIES - For job vacancies in the Diocese please see Diocese website https://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/

SUSTAINABILITY

We have activities planned for later this year and would be happy to hear from you if you would like to get involved or have an idea of your own. Please contact Sarah Bowden (bowden.sarah@googlemail.com). 

LIBRARY We have a parish library located in the foyer of the Parish Centre. One bookcase is dedicated to Theology/Religious books, another bookcase to Fiction/Non-Fiction and a third smaller bookcase to children's Bibles/Bible stories etc. Please feel free to borrow/swap.

If you would like to donate, we can only accept books that are in excellent and clean condition. Thank you and enjoy.

FOODSHARE We are a collection point for Foodshare. Our collection area is just inside the porch doors, but if you leave food outside, out of hours (in a bag or other covering) the building is regularly checked. Foodshare are currently really in need of tinned vegetables and tinned meat, amongst all the regular donations.

School News

ADMISSION INTO ST EDMUND CAMPION SCHOOL AND NURSERY is based on Mass attendance for some categories. In our parish, we have an attendance card available from the table in the church lobby. Every time you come to Sunday Mass please get your card stamped. For information on the current Admissions Policy see the school's website, www.st-edmund.org.uk.