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.
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.
Holy Hour
Join with the Bishops of England and Wales on Sun 19th Apr at 4:30pm to pray a Holy Hour for the dignity of human life from conception to natural end as peers in the House of Lords continue to debate whether to make Assisted Suicide law.
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Next Sunday is World Day of Prayer for Vocations and after the 11am Mass there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 5pm, ending with Benediction. Please see the sign-up sheet in the narthex so that all the 20 minute slots are filled as we pray for those whom the Lord is calling to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.
Peter Sparkes RIP & Helen James RIP
Please pray for the repose of the souls of Peter Sparkes RIP and Helen James RIP. The requiem for Peter will take place on Fri 24th Apr at 12pm. Helen’s funeral will take place on Tue 5th May at 11am.
Thame Churches
Thame Churches youth board games and cake sale evening on Sun 26th Apr at 6pm. Bake some cakes to sell for local charities and bring your favourite board games.
Lady Parishioner Support
Older lady parishioner is looking for a female who can help with some small jobs twice a week for 2-3 hours each visit. This will include some light housework and shopping. Please contact Fr Michael for more information if you can help.
Events within the Local Area and Diocese
CAFOD - Stand with Sudan
On the 3rd anniversary of the war in Sudan, Kayode Akintola, CAFOD’s Head of Region for Africa, asks for your help: “So many of our sisters and brothers in Sudan are facing increasing violence, hunger, and disease. That is why today, I’m asking you to consider setting up a monthly gift to support families who are fleeing the violence – with food, safe water and other vital support. Monthly gifts are an act of steady love for our neighbours, a way of saying: we will not abandon you, we will stand with you until peace is restored.”
Donate at cafod.org.uk/StandWithSudan
Kenelm Youth Trust Events
Summer Camp: 16th – 20th Aug. Summer camp is a catalyst for intentional discipleship amongst young people, aged 12-18, where they are encouraged to engage in times of reflection, prayer, adoration and Mass. It also involves a range of exciting activities, such as visiting Alton Towers, as well as heading off to different places for fun and games. Email beccy.roseman@kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk
World Youth Day Seoul: Young people from every corner of the world are heading to Seoul from 25th Jul - 9 Aug for an unforgettable celebration of faith. It is the chance for young adults to experience the universal Church like never before: praying, celebrating, serving and worshipping alongside over half a million young Catholics, united as one global family. Set against the incredible beauty and culture of South Korea, this is more than a trip, it’s an adventure of faith, a chance to serve and to discover what it truly means to belong to our universal Church. For more information and to download a fundraising pack go to www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk
The Friends of St Joseph's School
The Friends of St Joseph's School are holding a fundraising event, Bags 2 School, on Wed 22nd Apr. They will be collecting old clothes, shoes etc which will then be taken for recycling. Parishioners who would like to support this initiative can drop off bags in the rear car park before 9am on the day: https://bag2school.com/
Professor Judith Champ RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Professor Judith Champ, Dame of the Order of St Sylvester, who died peacefully on Easter Sunday, 5th Apr. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Chad’s Cathedral on Wed 6th May at 11am, with Cardinal Vincent Nichols presiding. Following the burial at Oscott Cemetery, refreshments will be served in St Mary's College, Oscott. For seating & catering purposes, all those attending the Requiem Mass and refreshments are asked to confirm attendance by email to Fr Simon Baker: fr.simon.baker@rcaob.org.uk
Thame Churches
Thame Churches youth board games and cake sale evening on Sun 26th Apr at 6pm. Bake some cakes to sell for local charities and bring your favourite board games.
Pilgrimage to Mount St Bernard's Cistercian Abbey
Fr Leszek of the Good Shepherd in Haddenham & Our Lady of Light in Long Crendon is organising a parish pilgrimage to Mount St Bernard's Cistercian Abbey in Leicestershire on Fri 15th May to celebrate the anniversary of his ordination. Tickets cost £25. The coach will leave Haddenham at 10am, returning at 7pm. Contact Mrs Francis Phillips: francisphillips41245@gmail.com
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
Roger Sykes, 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.
Anniversaries of deaths this week
Offerings
Totals (11th/12th April)
£408.04, many thanks.
2nd collection next weekend for the Clergy Training Fund.
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.