Ignatius of Loyola, one of the founders of the ‘Society of Jesus’ (Jesuits) had a meditation to offer – that the Divine persons would look down on the world from heaven, and see us all. Many of us were lost. They had compassion and sent one of them, the Son of the Father, to find us and take us home. That was Jesus, Son of God and son of Mary, divine and human, on a life’s mission to guide us to God. People today can get lost in many ways – addictions, pornography, unsatisfying relationships, financial anxiety, suicidal despair – the work of the community of the disciples is to bring the word and the love of God at those points of the journey where we are most lost. The compassion of God has sometimes not been mirrored in the Christian community’s approach to people when they are at their lowest. Jesus’ heart goes out to all, and especially those in most need, because nobody can steal anyone from God – and nobody can steal God’s love from anyone. The call today is to give as best we can of ourselves in sharing the best of life we have, in sharing love and compassion and knowing that each of us with whatever our talents and goodness are, can partner God in guiding others to him.
May I respond as fully as I can at this time of my life to your call, o Lord.
| First Reading | Acts 13:14, 43-52 | Paul and Barnabas preach first to the Jews, then to the pagans. | |||
| Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 99: 1-3, 5 | R./: We are his people, the sheep of his flock. | |||
| Second Reading | Revelation 7:9, 14-17 | In praise of the martyrs, who came through persecution into glory. | |||
| Gospel | John 10:27-30 | Christ is the true Shepherd, who knows each one personally. |
| Friday 9th May | 10am | Clive Burton | RIP AN | |||||
| Saturday 10th | 6:15pm | Hubert De Souza | RIP AN | |||||
| Sunday 11th | 9:30am | Florence Theresa Rodrigo | RIP, who died recently | |||||
| Sunday 11th | 11:15am | Florence Theresa Rodrigo | RIP, who died recently | |||||
| Sunday 11th | 11:15am | Fr Jim O'Brien | RIP, who died recently | |||||
| Sunday 24th | 6:15pm | Margaret O'Donnell | RIP |
| Monday 19th May | 11:45am | Eddie Adamczyk, RIP |
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 6th June 10am at St. Joseph’s; 7pm at St. Edmund Campion Church; 10am St Thomas More, Twyford
Friday 4th July 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:
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 9th March until Pentecost, there is a 5pm Sunday evening Mass in St Joseph’s
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: We congratulate the children who will receive their 1st Holy Communion this Saturday 10th May, and the 17th of May. We pray that the Lord will keep them faithful to him in the years ahead and to be glad to receive him in the Blessed Sacrament. Likewise, we thank our wonderful group of catechists who gave up their Saturdays to instruct them; many of them with young families and other commitments, but who said ‘YES, I believe in them’. That is a wonderful gift. To the parents who got involved as well, and all others (you!) who helped them be prepared for the sacrament.
PARISH RETREAT "God's Big Family" Holy Family of Maidenhead and Twyford Parish Retreat Saturday 24th May 9:30am- 3:00pm St. Katharine's Retreat House, Parmoor, Parmoor Lane, Frieth, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6NN. Led by Dr Judith Thomas Cost £15.00 Bring a pack lunch or Dine in the restaurant (£15.00). To book a place https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gods-big-family-tickets-1358215923389 or contact the Parish Office.
THANK YOU! We have raised the incredible total of £11,751.04 from second collections, Soup lunches, the Folk Group Concert and donations. This money will be split between our 4 charities: St Edmund Campion Primary School, SVP (St. Vincent de Paul Society), DASH, Thames Hospice. What an amazing and charitable community we have at St Edmund Campion.
PARISH COLLECTION Please continue to support your parish, its activities and outreach programmes by contributing to the weekly collection via the 'baskets' and/or Contactless. It is very positive that a lot of our parishioners, over the course of the pandemic, switched their contribution from cash to Bank Transfer.
NB: If you want to set up a direct debit or standing order (or even make a one-off donation) the account details are:
Account name: CDP MAIDENHEAD ST EDMUND CAMPION
Sort code: 30-93-04
Account number: 00882551
SECOND COLLECTION Sunday 11th May The Clergy Training Fund supports our seminarians, including the 11 men currently in formation for the priesthood, for the duration of their six or seven-year journey to ordination. https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/clergy-training-fund-second-collection-2025.
SACRISTANS: From all of us, members of the St. Edmund Campion community, we would like to acknowledge the dedication and service that our Sacristans offer our community, who daily, ensure that our Church is clean, and the sanctuary is prepared for each liturgical function. This team of dedicated sacristans has been involved in this very important ministry for many years. To all of you, we say a big Thank you! The Sacristans’ team is always open to welcome new volunteers who may be interested in helping in the logistical preparations for the various Services that go on in the Church. If you would like to know more, please contact a member of the team, or the office.
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING face-to-face Saturday 14th 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
ST EDMUND CAMPION SCHOOL are looking for applicants for staff at Breakfast Club and After School Club. All interest or enquiries to Sarah Hubbard on school@st-edmund.org.uk. Hours are 07.45-08.45 for Breakfast Club and 15.00-18.15 for After School Club.
ST MARY’S SCHOOL - VACANCY! Full time teacher position for September 2025 and EYFS (level 3) teaching assistant. For more information: Vacancies | St Mary's Catholic Primary School
ST JOSEPH’S NEED HELPERS! We need readers, singers, sacristans, offertory collectors for the Sunday 5pm Mass. Contact office@stjosephsparish.co.uk
MAIDENHEAD ROTARY CLUB OPEN GARDENS 2025 Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June 2025, 11am-5pm Maidenhead Rotary Club is delighted to invite you to our community event on the 7th & 8th June in aid of Rotary local and national charities. Come and visit local gardens and enjoy a weekend of gardens, cakes, artwork and much more! Don’t forget to take an opportunity of our early bird ticket sales before 1st June 2025. https://tinyurl.com/mv9kdza8
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.
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 11th May 2:30pm-4:30pm.
ALTAR SERVERS We are in need of more altar servers. If your child is in year 3 or above, and would like to join the rota, please complete an application form - available in the church porch or outside the parish office. Please return the form to the parish office.
For parishioners who attend weekday Masses, please be aware that Year 6 will be doing their SATs week beginning 12th May, from Monday to Thursday. Parking will not be available around the side of the school. Please leave the site quietly after Mass. Thank you.
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 21st June at 11am St Bede’s church in Basingstoke. Are you celebrating a 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th 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
YOGA CLASSES Tuesday 11am – 11:45am The next Yoga classes will be Tuesday 27th 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 11th May 2:30pm-4:30pm
PREPARING TOGETHER MARRIAGE COURSE 5th May 2025 - Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 2HE. For more information and to book a place www.marriagecare.org.uk.
ST EDMUND CAMPION PARISH & SCHOOL SUMMER FUN DAY Sunday 29th June 12pm-3pm, beginning with Mass on the school field at 11am.
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
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 8th 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 leave them in the Parish office or in the church porch.
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/
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.
APPOINTMENTS If you wish to speak to Fr Liam, Fr Ephraim or Fr Tom in confidence on any matter, please contact either one for an appointment. They are happy to visit your home if so desired, adhering to social distancing guidelines.
HOUSEBOUND If you know of anyone who is sick and/or housebound, please let Ruth (Parish Office), Fr Liam or Fr Ephraim know so that a visit can be arranged.
FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, FOR THE COMING MONTHS
Father Ephraim is the ‘link person’ for pastoral matters concerning the parish of St. Joseph’s and St. Elizabeth’s. He is also chaplain to St. Mary’s school.
Father Liam will be the ‘link person’ for the parish of St. Edmund Campion and will be chaplain to St. Edmund Campion school.
Fr. Ephraim and Fr. Liam are on call each day and will serve our community as best they can. You can call either of them on their mobile numbers, contact them via email or visit them at St. Joseph’s Presbytery.
THE WELCOMING MINISTRY (Mass Rep) is dedicated to helping all parishioners and visitors enhance their worship experience at Mass by making them feel welcome and included in our Eucharistic celebration, helping them connect with our parish, and participating in the numerous ministry opportunities offered at St. Edmund Campion. The Mass Rep is the ‘overseer’ in ensuring that the various ministries during Mass are fulfilled. Further, they are there to help you with any queries.
We thank our mass reps:
6:15pm Saturday: Reena K. 9:30am Sunday: Elvira E-M 11:15am Sunday: Julie C.
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.
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