Parish News
Our Diocesan Vision
“To be a Catholic diocese which is faithful to the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ, full of missionary disciples who work together co-responsibly in vibrant communities of faith, joyful in their service of God and neighbour.”
News & Events within the Parish
The Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation is offered on Saturday mornings after Mass and evening from 5pm to 5:30pm. Also available at other times by appointment.
PVS
The Parish Volunteer Service is a small group of volunteers offering lifts to anybody who may be experiencing difficulty getting to Mass, the Thursday Group, or other appointments. For more information, contact Jane Stevens: 01844 216076 / 07984 778687.
Live Streaming of Masses
Please note that our parish live streams the Sun 9am Mass and at other occasions on request, e.g. funerals. If you do not want to be seen on the live stream, please avoid the first two pews closest to the altar and ask for Holy Communion to be brought to you.
Food Bank
Please remember that you can donate tinned and other items to the food bank in the narthex as a way of supporting those in the parish and beyond who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. No perishables please!
Code of Conduct
A reminder to all parish volunteers that the Diocese's Code of Conduct applies to everyone who volunteers in the parish. The Code of Conduct is available on the Safeguarding section of the parish website and a paper copy is displayed on the Safeguarding noticeboard in the narthex. Thank you for taking the time to read it. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Safeguarding Representative, Sue McGarry: sg.stjoseph.thame@rcaob.org.uk
Confirmations 2027
The sacrament of confirmation will be celebrated on Sun 16th May 2027. Please see Fr Michael to register your interest as soon as possible!
Proposed New Nursery for St Joseph’s School
To see a copy of the consultation letter, please email the school at office@st-josephs.oxon.sch.uk
Guidance on Dogs in Church
Special Year of St Francis
A plenary indulgence, either for oneself or the Holy Souls in Purgatory, can be gained by fulfilling the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Pope) together with the following: with a spirit detached from sin, going on pilgrimage to a Franciscan conventual church, or any other church named after or connected with St Francis, and there follow the Jubilee rites, or, spending time there in private prayer, including for the intention of charity towards one's neighbour and harmony and peace among people, finishing with the Our Father, Creed, and asking for the prayers of Our Lady, St Francis, St Clare and all the saints of the Franciscan family. Those who are elderly, sick, those who care for them and for other serious reasons who are unable to leave their homes, can also obtain the indulgence if they have the intention to fulfil the usual conditions (confession, Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Pope), are detached from any sin and join spiritually in the Jubilee celebrations of the Year of St Francis, offering their prayers to the Merciful God, and the pains or sufferings of one's life.
St Joseph's WhatsApp Community
Please join the St Joseph’s WhatsApp Community for up-to-date announcements and news by scanning this QR code with the camera on your smartphone. This will complement the newsletter and the notice board and provide similar content in a digital format. Joining is entirely optional and you are able to leave at any time. Please note: this is a community and not a WhatsApp group so this will only be used for announcements. Click here to join.
LiveSimply Award
We are pleased to share that St Joseph’s has been awarded the LiveSimply award which is a scheme for Catholic communities, parishes, schools, religious orders and chaplaincies who can show how they have been living:
-
Simply
-
Sustainably with creation
-
In solidarity with people living in poverty.
The award celebrates our faith-inspired actions and is an opportunity to answer the call for us to care for our common home and stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world.
Congratulations to everyone involved.
For more information on this award go to cafod.org.uk/campaign/livesimply-award
Events within the Local Area & Diocese
Diocesan Plan 2030
The Archdiocese of Birmingham has created the Diocesan Plan 2030. A complete copy of Canon Paul Fitzpatrick’s letters regarding the future of the deanery is available using the button below.
Thame CAP Debt Centre
Grace Church has been running the Thame CAP Debt Centre for over 5 years and has seen many people become debt free. To enable them to continue this invaluable service, they require more volunteer befrienders. The role of befriender is not financial but friendship and sharing faith and the requirements are fairly simple: Christian, willing to share their faith and pray for the clients, friendly, available during the day or early evening for appointments and preferably in possession of DBS certificate. Please contact ruthtaylor@capuk.org if you can help.
FLAME 2027
The largest Catholic youth event in England and Wales - FLAME 2027 takes place on Sat 6th Mar! Be a part of this incredible day with exceptional praise and worship, music, speakers from all around the world, exhibitions and a gathering of over 10,000 young Catholics. For £59 the Kenelm Youth Trust is offering return coach travel from key areas in the Diocese, prime tickets sat together with the Bishop in a great location in the OVO Arena and a Diocesan t-shirt. Tickets are running out so make sure to sign up your group today! www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk
Retrouvaille
Marriage in a rut, or need help with deeper issues? Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples find hope and healing in their marriage. Next dates are 2nd - 4th Oct: www.retrouvaille.org.uk
Stop assisted suicide being legalised
Assisted suicide campaigners have sadly brought back the Leadbeater Bill. This can be stopped if MPs vote down the Bill on 11th Sep. Right To Life UK has launched an EasyAction tool to help you email your MP to ask them to vote NO to assisted suicide in the vote in the House of Commons. Please take 30 seconds to email your MP today to ask them to vote NO: https://righttolife.org.uk/Sept11vote
March for Life UK 2026
Sat 5th Sep, departs at 1:30pm from Tufton St, Westminster and ends 3pm in Parliament Square. 14 Catholic bishops will participate and their presence will demonstrate the primary importance that the Church places on promoting the dignity of every human life by working to end abortion. Find out more at marchforlife.co.uk
Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life
The annual Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life takes place on Sat 1st Aug at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. This pilgrimage aims not only to act as an act of reparation for abortion, praying for all the souls of the babies who have been or will be aborted, but also, for all mothers and fathers facing this very difficult decision. The pilgrimage will commence with the 12pm Pilgrim Mass and the day will include Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Litany of Life and Benediction. More information, can be found at https://prolifepilgrimage.org/how-to-get-there/
Thame Aphasia Support Drop-In Group
Thame Aphasia Support Drop-In Group is an ongoing, relaxed & friendly space for communication support, social connection and a cup of tea for anyone living with aphasia. It’s free to attend and takes place on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month at Cuttlebrook Hall, 1 Stock Road, Thame, OX9 3FU.
Ride and Stride for Churches
12th Sep. Help preserve the history on your doorstep by raising funds for Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. Many of the churches and chapels in Oxfordshire will be open and there are several ways you can take part. All funds raised got to OHCT, 50% of which can be passed on to a church or chapel of your choice. For full details including sponsorship forms, links to and a list of churches, go to www.ohct.org.uk/ride-stride
Easy Evangelisation
www.isittrue.net is a new website designed to encourage people to contemplate joining the Catholic faith. Please do share it with family and friends.
Groups
Thursday Group
The Thursday Club has finished for the Summer Holidays and will resume in September.
Prayer Group
Prayer Group will be taking a summer break from Tue 21st Jul & will resume on Tue 15th Sep in the church from 5:30pm – 6:30pm.
Bible Study Evening
The Bible study evening runs every other Thursday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm in the Parish Hall, studying the Gospel of Matthew. The next session will be on Thu 30th Jul & all are welcome.
Church Gardeners Group
Join our growing group of church gardeners who gather on Monday mornings from 10am – 12pm. Get to know other people in our church community and keep active. There is always plenty to do. No skills needed – just a bit of faith and enthusiasm!
Please Pray for the Sick of our Parish
The sick of our Parish
Molly McVasey, Jon White, Kieron Carberry, Thomas White, Alexander Sparkes, Beryl Long, Veronica Smith, Ellen Mongan, Andrzej Geppart, David Harbour, Maria Crane, Edward de Rivera, Zaria Peecock, Heather Helgesen, Teresa Ferrara, Rita Tulloch, Peter Long & Christina Jacobs.
Rest in Peace
Fr Simon Hall, Indranee Jeevaratnam, Mgr Vaughan Morgan, Peter Evans, Elsie Hubery, Stuart Dawson, Lucy Wood, Patrick Moynihan, Peter Sparkes, Prof Judith Champ, Helen James, Marie Byrne & Pat Phillips.
Anniversaries of deaths this week
Elizabeth Peeke, Ann McKay, Clyde Nicolas, George Steer, Nora Wyse, Norman Pigache, Margaret Hayward, John Sheehan, Yvonne Williams & Miroslav Germuska.
Offerings
Totals for 18th/19th July
£382, many thanks.
Thanks have also been received from Stella Maris for the recent generous parish donation of £360.30, in support of the Sea Sunday 2026 Appeal.
Gift Aid
To keep giving regularly to support the Parish, please give standing orders, with Gift Aid where possible. The forms are always avaliable in the Sacristy for Gift Aid or standing order set-up, or talk to our treasurer, Jim.
Other Methods of Giving
DONA Website
Our DONA website can be found here.
Direct Payments
Name - RC Birmingham St Joseph's
Sort Code - 60-21-21
Acc - 69377065
DONA
Just use your contactless debit/credit card or smartphone/device to make a donation. Simply choose the amount you wish to donate and hold your card onto the reader. Contactless donations are simpler to administer, secure and convenient. Please opt in for Gift Aid if you are a UK Tax Payer, it means we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 received.