ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH, NEWBURY
3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER - YEAR A
CHRIST IS RISEN - ALLELUIA!
Today’s liturgy has one common, encouraging theme: No matter what happens in our lives, the risen Jesus is always with us.
God is always near to those who seek Him and desire to live in His presence, doing His will.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am
From the Diocese – Easter Offerings: As is customary at Easter, offerings can be made directly to your parish clergy through the plate,
or card pad collection at Easter Sunday Masses, or via the following link specifically for Saint Joseph's, Newbury -
Bishop’s Statement on Decriminalisation of Abortion: Last week, the House of Lords backed legislation to decriminalise abortions up to birth.
The current legal limit of 24 weeks will remain for doctor-induced abortions, but it will soon be legal for mothers themselves to abort their unborn child at any moment up to full term. When first legalised in 1967, abortions in England and Wales were few, yet by the end of the 1990s, almost 175,000 a year were taking place. Today there are over 300,000 a year – one in every three babies conceived. Abortion has been normalised. As Catholics, we know that every human being has been created and willed by God.
We must calmly but insistently work to protect the unborn child in the womb and to protect women from abortion.
We must continue to witness to the truth about human life and campaign to change people’s hearts and minds. Bishop Philip’s full statement can be found here
Wednesday 22nd April: Open Church 12.30pm – 2pm. The church will be open for quiet prayer and reflection.
All are welcome at any time while the church is open. Thursday 23rd April: 10.30am Grand/Mothers’ Prayers every Thursday
at Newbury Grove Care Home, 370 London Rd, Newbury RG14 2QH.
For more information, speak with Fr Michael or Elizabeth Matias after Mass.
Thursday 23rd April: 10.00am Mass: The pupils of Year 5 from St Joseph’s School will join us in church for Mass.
Sunday 26th April: 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER (A) – ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’ (World Day of Prayer for Vocations):
There will be a second collection at both Masses for the
Clergy Training Fund. The Diocese of Portsmouth is blessed to have 10 men in formation for the priesthood.
Seminarian formation takes between six to eight years at a cost of approximately £30,000 per year, and relies on the generosity of people to support the formation of our future priests.
St Joseph’s Parish Administrator & Hall Manager. After 3 years of hard work, Rebecca Couzens, our present Parish Administrator is moving on. We are grateful for all that she has done. St Joseph’s is therefore seeking to fill an expanded role as Parish Administrator and Hall Manager. The role provides comprehensive administrative, IT, and organisational support to the
Parish Priest, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the parish. This role enables the Parish Priest to focus on pastoral duties while maintaining efficient administrative processes.
The postholder is expected to foster a professional, welcoming, and efficient parish environment for parishioners, volunteers, and visitors
. Contract: Permanent, Part-time Hours: 12 hours per week (flexible in line with hall bookings).
As an employee of the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, a registered charity, applicants must comply with all diocesan policies and procedures, as well as those related to local arrangements specifically authorised by the Parish Priest.
How to Apply: You may send a comprehensive and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae, along with a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and your motivation for applying (maximum two sides of A4), to recruitment@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk. Please include ‘Parish Administrator and Hall Manager NEWBJ’ in the subject line of your email. Alternatively visit: https://catholicdioceseofportsmouth.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoard/Opening.aspx?v=695969d2-c7e8-4783-83d1-c683673118ef
The closing date is 29th April 2026.
CENTENARY of St Joseph’s Church 2027: Next year will see the centenary of the building of our parish church in 1927! Clearly, we wish to mark this milestone with events, celebrations and initiatives next year.
Thoughts and ideas are encouraged, and it is hoped to then form a Centenary Committee to plan our celebrations. Please share your interest and ideas with Fr Michael and the Parish Office!
St Joseph’s Hall: If you are interested in hiring St Joseph’s Hall for an occasion or a class, please contact the parish office to enquire about availability, and to book.
A provisional cost of £25 per hour has been set at present, subject to confirming the new heating and utility costs following the hall’s major refurbishment.
Office Tel: 01635 40167; E-mail office@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk
IT Email issues: Issues continue with emailing those parishioners who have email addresses ending with: yahoo.co.uk; aol.com; me.com; sky.com; mac.com; and some icloud addresses. Messages are notified as ‘undeliverable’
. The diocesan IT department are trying to resolve issue, but it appears that some issues may also lie with your email provider.
NEURODIVERSITY AND OUR FAITH RESEARCH: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales and Birmingham Newman University are conducting research into Neurodiversity and our Faith. They would like to hear from any adult neurodivergent Catholics or caregivers of neurodivergent Catholics as their experiences will help the Conference become more inclusive and responsive to their needs.
To find out more and to complete the short surveys,
please visit: www.godwhospeaks.uk/neurodivergent-catholic-surveys
NEW DIOCESE OF PORTSMOUTH WEBSITE! Our diocese has this week launched its new website. Please go to –https://portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
TEACHING POINT: The Church uses veils on crosses and statues during the final two weeks of the season of Lent to draw attention to the fact that something very beautiful is hidden from view, but not permanently.
The unveiling before the Easter Vigil is a great reminder that we live in a ‘veiled’ world, in exile from our true home. It is only through our own death that the veil is lifted and we are finally able to see the true beauty of everything.
‘The Six Holy Habits’: Bishop Philip recommends the following to us all:
1) Spend at least 5 minutes a day in prayer;
2) Attend Mass every Sunday;
3) Keep Friday as a Day of Penance;
4) Pay a fortnightly visit to the Blessed Sacrament;
5) Go to Confession once a month;
6) Join a small group for prayer, formation, and fellowship.
‘YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES’ A version of the Diocese of Portsmouth’s 10-year mission plan, called You will be my Witnesses is now available.
Phil Hobb’s outlined four ways you can donate to the parish, plus an easy way to boost your donation:
(i) Standing Orders;
(ii) Contactless giving on one of the two Digital Collection Pads in church;
iii) Planned Giving envelopes (boxes for the new tax year for those already donating via this method are available to collect from the sacristy); and
(iv) donations by cash in the collection plate.
To start donating by either Standing Order or Planned Giving envelopes, please ask Fr Michael or Phil Hobbs for the relevant form to complete.
If you are a UK taxpayer, the Gift Aid scheme allows us to claim back the tax you have already paid on your donation.
To do this, we need your permission, your name and address – that’s all – please ask Fr Michael or Phil Hobbs for a Gift Aid declaration form.
Your generosity is very much appreciated.
By clicking the link below it is now possible to make a secure direct donation to the parish via the website in addition to
using the ‘Touch Giving Digital Collection Plates’ in the church on Sundays.
St. Joseph's Parish feedback following consultation on the Diocesan draft 10 Year Plan - Click Here to View
Link for our Parish School - St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Nursery - Click here
Now Accepting Contactless Donations
You will find our new DIGITAL COLLECTION PLATE, contactless terminal in the church. Just use your contactless debit/credit card or smart phone/ device to make a donation.
Simply choose the amount you wish to donate and hold your card onto the reader.
Contactless donations are simple to administer, secure and convenient.
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