PARISH NEWS
Pope's Prayer Intention for April: For priests in crisis
Parish News & Events
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.”
​​
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 avaliable at other times by appointment.
​
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.
​
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.
​
The Piety Stall
The Piety Stall, located in the hall, is open after all Masses including the Saturday 6pm, and has a full range of goods and greetings cards for sale.
The Planned Giving Appeal is not over
The box in the narthex is still available to those who have yet to confirm their commitment to this parish, either by offering their time and talents or their increased financial offerings or both. It is not too late. An active laity is essential to ensure local parishes do not fade away but thrive and grow as a welcoming community and a vision of God’s Kingdom. That means everyone needs to be involved. Please give what you have to offer. Click here to read more about the Planned Giving Appeal
​
Recent Events in the Parish
Click here to see some recent events that have taken place in the Parish.
​
Volunteering Opportunities at St Joseph’s
1. We are looking for new volunteers to provide a Children’s Liturgy at the 9am Sunday Mass. Our existing leaders ‘retire’ at Easter after many years in the role & are happy to train replacements. If you can help please speak to Claire, Paula or Fr Michael.
​
2. Tea & Toast: The idea would be to either provide a breakfast club or after-school club instead, one day a week in the Parish Hall, for those on their way to or from Lord William's School. Please see Fr Michael to express your interest.
​
3. World Day of Prayer. After 16 years Theresa would like to hand over the baton and so we are now looking for 2 volunteers to take over the role of coordinating and facilitating the World Day of Prayer, along with representatives from the other Thame churches. Anyone who is friendly and is of an ecumenical disposition could do it. Please speak to Theresa Buchanan if you would like to be involved.
​​​​​
First Holy Communion Classes
First Holy Communion classes resume after the Easter break on Thu 16th Apr, 4pm – 4:45pm in the Parish Hall. Communion ties for boys have arrived, the cost of which is £5.25 each.
​​
Patrick Moynihan RIP and Peter Sparkes RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Patrick Moynihan RIP whose funeral will take on Tue 7th Apr at 11am. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Peter Sparkes RIP and remember his friends and family in your prayers. Peter’s funeral will take place on Fri 24th Apr at 12pm.
​
Congratulations
Congratulations to Anthony who is being baptised, Joel who is being confirmed and to Julie, Reece and Joanne who are being received into the Church this Easter.
​
Divine Mercy Devotions
Sun 12th Apr, 2pm - 3pm Confessions, 3pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Veneration of the Divine Mercy Image.
​
2025 Income and Expenditure
A summary of our 2025 Income and Expenditure is on the hall noticeboard. Compared to 2024, our offertories and donations remained static, but receipts from our rental properties increased, leaving us with a financially sound year. However, we have a long list of essential repairs and maintenance requirements that we must address. To know more, please see Jim Crisp, Treasurer: pt.stjoseph.thame@rcaob.org.uk
Events within the Local Area and Diocese
Young Discerners Group
On Sat 9th May, boys in school years 9-13 who feel they might be being called to the priesthood can meet together St Mary's College, Oscott to find out more about the priesthood & seminary life, spend time in prayer, meet seminarians & explore how to discern. Booking is essential. Contact deacon.owen@vocations.org.uk or call 0121 321 5135 for more information.
​​
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham on Sat 9th May from 11am – 5pm will include a visit to the Slipper Chapel & Chapel of Reconciliation, before Mass at 1:30pm, celebrated by Canon Jonathan Veasey. The procession to the Priory ruins in the village departs at 3pm and will conclude with a time of prayer at the site of the Holy House. For more information about the day, please go to www.walsingham.org.uk
​
Sion Community
Registration is now open for D-Summer 2026 - a weekend residential for young people in school years 7–13, taking place from 17th – 19th Jul 2026 at Buckden Towers (St Neots). This year's theme is Courage — an opportunity for young people to explore what it means to live boldly in their faith and grow as disciples of Jesus. The cost is £96 which includes accommodation in shared dormitories. Spaces are limited, so please book before 22nd Jun. For information email vickdy@sioncommunity.org.uk
​
Marriage Support
From relationships that are 'just in a rut', needing some refreshment or more serious issues, if you are open to try again, Retrouvaille could be the solution. We have helped thousands of couples get their relationship back on track as they rediscovered hope and trust in the marriage. Please visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk or call 07973 380443 to find out more.
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, Harry & Bobby Stevens, Teresa Ferrara & Rita Tulloch.
​
Rest in Peace
Fr Paul Johnson, Roger Sykes, Fr Simon Hall, Indranee Jeevaratnam, Mgr Vaughan Morgan, Peter Evans, Elsie Hubery, Stuart Dawson, Lucy Wood, Patrick Moynihan & Peter Sparkes.
​​​​​​
Anniversaries of deaths this week
George O’Neill, Andrew Markus, Keith Brabbin, Netta Fanshawe & Cora Jonning.
Offerings
Totals (28th/29th March)
£386.67, 2nd collection for the Easter flowers - £200.47, many thanks.
There will be a 2nd collection this week for the Holy Places.
​​​​​​​​
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 conventient. 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.