PARISH NEWS
Pope's Prayer Intention for December: For Christians in areas of conflict
Parish News & Events
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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Events taking place during Advent
Please see the posters in the narthex and the page of the website for details of events taking place during Advent.
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Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Sunday at 9am, will be on throughout Advent.
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Sacrament of the Sick Mass
On Mon 15th Dec the 9:15am Mass will include celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick. This is one of the seven sacraments of the Church, giving strength and sometimes also healing of various illnesses. To make use of this sacrament, you need to be a Catholic with a "serious" rather than a fairly minor form of illness. Conditions such as heart problems, cancer or even frail old age apply, or maybe if you have a forthcoming operation; a cold would not. For further information, please contact Fr Michael.
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First Holy Communion Classes
A reminder that First Holy Communion classes will recommence on Thu 8th Jan from 4pm - 4:45pm in the Parish Hall. To help cover the cost of the books and the Communion Breakfast a donation of £10 is suggested. This can be handed to Fr Michael as soon as possible. Communion ties for the boys can be ordered by email: ps.stjoseph.thame@rcaob.org.uk
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Family Advent Activities
Have a look at some suggested family activities that can be done throughout advent. Please click here.
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Penance Services across the Denary
Please check our Advent page for Penance Services taking place across the Denary.
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On sale
Christmas squares are available to buy for £5 every week until 14th Dec when the draw will take place after the Carol Service. Please also consider donating prizes.
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Please support ACN by buying their Christmas cards which will be available to buy at all Masses this weekend & up to Christmas. Thank you.
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The First Five Saturdays Devotion of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
8 years after the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima, she returned with the Child Jesus to Lucia, asking that we make reparation for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart. She said, "I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, on the First Saturday of five consecutive months: 1) Go to confession; 2) Receive Holy Communion; 3) Recite five decades of the Rosary and 4) Keep me company for 15 minutes, while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary; 5) All with the intention of making reparation to me". Please see the prayer leaflets in the narthex for more information.
Events within the Local Area and Diocese
Could you be a Healthcare Volunteer in Lourdes?
Are you a doctor, nurse or carer? Would you consider donating your time and expertise on next year’s Lourdes Pilgrimage? Every year sick pilgrims are able to make the journey to Lourdes thanks to the support of a dedicated Healthcare Team. If you are a healthcare professional and would like to try something new and rewarding, please consider joining us. You will make a real difference. For more information please visit: https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage
The Diocesan Closing Mass for the Jubilee Year
The Diocesan Closing Mass for the Jubilee Year on Sun 28th Dec at 11:30am at the cathedral will be celebrated by Bishop David Evans. The Jubilee ends on the Feast of the Epiphany, Tues 6th Jan, with the Closing of the Holy Door at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome.
The Fr Ian Ker Memorial Lecture
Sat 13th Dec at 3:30pm in the Parish Hall of Blessed Dominic Barberi Catholic Church, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 4JX. This year’s lecture by George Bowen CO will be in celebration of the recent elevation of St John Henry Newman as Doctor of the Church. The lecture will be preceded by a piano recital by Fr Dominic White OP at 3pm in Newman’s Library at The College. More info at littlemore@newman-friends.org
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Aid to the Church in Need
According to ACN's Religious Freedom in the World Report 2025, 5.4 billion people, two-thirds of the world's population, live in countries where individuals, families and in many cases entire communities suffer severe violations of religious freedom. More than 220 million Christians are at direct risk of persecution. In response, ACN has initiated its first ever global advocacy campaign, a petition calling on governments around the world to implement in full Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 18 sets out the gold standard of religious liberty, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the right to change religion and the right to manifest religion in teaching, practice, worship and observance. The Archdiocese of Birmingham is inviting everyone to stand with persecuted Christians and all those who suffer for their beliefs by signing the ACN Article 18 petition: https://acnuk.org/article-18-petition-religious-freedom-human-right-not-privilege
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, Lucy Wood, Edward de Rivera, Zaria Peecock, Heather Helgesen & Harry & Bobby Stevens.
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Rest in Peace
Pope Francis, Gemma Smith, Craig Capin, John Tulloch, Fr Tony Rohan, Fr Paul Johnson, Roger Sykes, Fr Simon Hall & Indranee Jeevaratnam.
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Anniversaries of deaths this week
Zygmunt Sobolweski, Johanna Moran, Ian Hartley, Norma Spencer, Hazel Graffy, Florence Clarke, Ryszard Kepa & George McVey.
Offerings
Last Weekend's Totals (30th November)
Parish: £353.95
Second Collection this week: For the Poor Parishes of the Diocese
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The 15th/16th November collection total was £343.73
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Thanks have been sent from the Holy Father to the people of the Archdiocese for their generous contribution of £106,178.11 to Peter’s Pence. The Holy Father is grateful for this donation and particularly for the devoted sentiments which inspired it. He knows that much effort was involved.
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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.
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Other Methods of Giving
DONA Website
Our DONA website can be found here.
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Direct Payments
Name - RC Birmingham St Joseph's
Sort Code - 60-21-21
Acc - 69377065
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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.