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Parish Newsletter 10.5.2020

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FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR A)

Sections: News | Masses & Intentions

LIVE STREAMING All Masses will be live streamed (and the recording can be replayed anytime) on our Facebook page. There is no need to login or join to view. Go to facebook.com/BurnhamCatholicParish

News

PARISH OFFICE CHANGES Yvonne has been placed on ‘furlough’ until further notice, please contact Fr Joseph for all Parish matters, he can be contacted via email on frjosephudoh[AT]northamptondiocese.org or you can telephone the Parish office on 01628 605764 and leave a message.

APPRECIATION Many thanks to you dear parishioners for your generous donations to Fr Joe for Easter offering and for the ongoing donations many of you make to the parish. We can confirm donations through the parish bank and the diocesan online platforms went through. Your ongoing financial support to the parish is much appreciated. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the lockdown and economic situation. If there’s any way the parish can help, please contact Fr Joe.

MAY 14TH A Day of Prayer, Fasting and Works of Charity to implore divine help in overcoming the pandemic caused by covid-19. Due to restrictions imposed to contain spread of this pandemic, we encourage you to have virtual, individuals and family devotions and prayers.

DECEASED Margery Christian, RIP Please pray for the repose of the soul of Margery Christian who passed away early last week at her home, surrounded by her family. She was such a lovely parishioner and will be sorely missed. Do also keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Debbie Rebbettes, RIP Please pray for Debbie aged 73 who died at Thames Hospice in Windsor last Sunday. She had previously been looked after at Wexham Park hospital. Do keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.

May her soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.

ANNIVERSARIES Please pray for the following whose Anniversaries occur this month: Daphne Margaret Brooker, Emily Mary Holley, Irene Papadapoullou, Elizabeth Pamela Hatcher, Brendan Foley, Margaret Mary White, Eunan Patrick Carroll, Gerard Joseph Norman Tunney, Kathleen Margaret Thwaites, Theresa Streatfield, Frances Paton, Christopher Joseph Patrick Daffern, Renate Margerete Edwards, Lilian Mary Little, Thomas Coyle, Margaret Mary Ward, Mary Teresa Lawlor, Shirley Veronica Berridge, Colin Maurice Roche, Pauline Patricia Rafter, Sheila Cecilia Ganguli, Josephine Margaret, Urashima, Demetrio Macri, Máire Cooper, Jean Violette Walker, Terence George Whitaker, Wanda Sibun-Zaworski, Joseph Shortall, Deacon Douglas Frank Denny, Anna Frances Messenger, Rose Lally.

SICK CALL Fr Joe is happy to be contacted for any sick call. He will also be grateful for information on any parishioner or family member who has taken ill.

‘GIVING TUESDAY’ – From enquiries we have received, some of our parishioners would prefer to donate by telephone rather than our online donation facilities. Therefore, in addition to the online donation facilities currently available, the Diocese has begun a ‘Giving Tuesday’. Each Tuesday between 10:00am and 4:00pm, you can call this number, 01604 712065 and donate to your parish. Should you wish to use this option, you would be required to have your debit or credit card to hand when you call. You can make a one-off donation to cover your missed Sunday offerings or call each week knowing your offering is going to your parish.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Saturday 2nd May would have been the day our lovely children would have received their First Holy Communion. Sadly it is not going to be just yet – but we will when things are back to normal. It will be well. Below here, Bishop David has sent special messages to our beloved children as well as to the confirmadi and adults preparing to come into full communion of the Catholic Church.

MESSAGES FROM BISHOP DAVID Parents and Catechists, kindly pass this on to those affected who are in your care –

To catechumens preparing for Sacramental Initiation into the Church and candidates from other ecclesial communities preparing to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church

Dear friends,
In my first pastoral letter as Bishop of Northampton, I used an image that I would like to share with you again now. It is the early Easter picture of the disciples hiding together behind locked doors because of fear. Maybe this image of the first Christians speaks to us in an even more powerful way during these days of coronavirus lockdown. Then again, we may be telling ourselves, at least they were hiding in their locked room “together”! Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a community experience rather than an individualistic and solitary one.

God’s people have always been a pilgrim people and by his grace, you have been brought into an experience of this pilgrimage journey to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Church is a people. Within the isolation of our homes, it is difficult for us to feel part of this people at times. There is the live-streaming of Masses from cathedrals and churches, a very poor substitute for the dynamic gift of being brought together by the Holy Spirit, in order to sing the praises of the Lord who has gathered us to celebrate the mysteries of our faith. How I, and indeed every priest, long to be able to celebrate these life-giving mysteries again with the people of God!

In the meantime, we must wait in patience. During these days of the Easter Season I wanted to share this with you, that you are very much in my heart and prayer. Please do pray for the virtue of hope and fidelity to the call you have received. I know that many of you will be living lives of service, where and when you are able to help others within your family and community. These are signs of your faith in Christ Jesus and desire to belong to his Church. May our Lord bless you and continue to support you in faith, hope and love as you await the day when you are able to celebrate the sacraments with us. We will soon celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the day when Jesus fulfilled the promise that the Father and he would pour out the Holy Spirit upon this world. I encourage you to open your lives to the coming of the Spirit in these days.

+ David J Oakley
Bishop of Northampton

To candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation

Dear young friends,
I wonder how you were feeling during your preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation? Were you excited and wondering how the gifts you are to receive from the Holy Spirit would work in your life? Were you looking forward to this celebration when you would receive the final sacrament of initiation into God’s Church? And now the whole journey towards the Sacrament of Confirmation has been put on hold because of the Coronavirus lockdown! I wanted to send you a message of encouragement in these difficult days.

Even though the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation has been delayed because of this crisis, please know that your new Bishop is very much looking forward to meeting with you. Try to be patient and faithful to meeting with Jesus in prayer. Ask the saint whose name you are choosing to pray for you. Pray to the Holy Spirit that you will be even more ready to receive the gifts which will be poured out on you when you are Confirmed. We will soon celebrate that Pentecost day when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon our world. And finally, please spare a prayer or two for the new Bishop! I send you these words together with my blessing for yourself and your families.

+ David J Oakley
Bishop of Northampton

To candidates for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion

Dear boys and girls,
We have not yet met in your parish or school. I am very much looking forward to that opportunity. In the meantime, I wanted to write a few words of encouragement to you. You will have been preparing to celebrate your first Holy Communion this term. It is such wonderful moment for you and your family, and there is often a lovely party to celebrate this day when Jesus first comes to you as the Bread of Life. If we don’t have food we become hungry! What we eat gives us energy for all the things we have to do in our day. When we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, he gives us the spiritual energy to live as his follower in our lives. I hope and pray that this day will come for you soon when we are allowed to celebrate with you in church. May Jesus, the Bread of Life, bless you always.

+ David J Oakley
Bishop of Northampton

MAY DEVOTION: MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY Below is a link to the full text of the Holy Father’s letter to the people of God for the month of May. Pope Francis encourages all the faithful to keep up our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In your prayers, especially the Rosary, please remember our parish, parishioners and the priests. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/letter-on-the-month-of-may-full-text.html

SLOUGH FOODBANK need our help. The list below are the items most needed. Please only donate these.

FOOD

  • Long Life Fruit Juice/Squash
  • Sponge Puddings
  • Tinned Fruit
  • Tinned Rice Pudding
  • Tinned Meat
  • Tinned spaghetti
  • Tinned vegetarian options
  • Vegetables
  • Instant mash
  • Custard
  • Tea
  • Coffee

TOILETRIES & BASIC ITEMS

  • Soap/shower gel
  • Shampoo
  • Deodorants
  • Toothpaste
  • Toilet paper
  • Shaving foam
  • Washing-up liquid
  • Laundry tablets/capsules
  • Sanitary towels

Please only donate these items that we currently need to: 411 Montrose Avenue, Slough, SL1 4TJ. Open at the following times: Mondays 1.00pm-3.00pm, Wednesdays and Fridays 10.00am – 12noon.

The Foodbank at St Andrew’s is open every Wednesday from 10.00am.
Slough Foodbank

The Foodbank at St Andrew’s is open every Wednesday from 10.00am.

GROCERIES FOR PARISHONERS Some parishioners would appreciate donation of groceries. If you are able to help, please contact Fr Joseph through his email frjosephudoh[AT]northamptondiocese.org or telephone the parish office on 01628 605764 and leave a message. Thank you to those who have already donated groceries, which have been gratefully received.

LIVE STREAM The new public address and streaming systems in Our Lady of Peace have recently been completed. Live streaming from the Church will for now still be through Facebook.

You can participate from home in Masses that we stream daily at 9.30am, on Facebook: ourladyofpeacecatholicchurchburnham.

Apart from participating remotely through our parish online streaming or on other channels, we should see in these challenging times an opportunity to journey with the Lord from His passion, death to the glory of His resurrection or more importantly, a reminder that the Lord who accompanies us in our trials and challenges, leads us to victory.

We are grateful and indeed delighted that many groups and families are making good use of social media platforms to gather and pray. Contact your group leaders to join or set up one. Many thanks to those reaching out to fellow parishioners and members of the community. We continue to unite as a family of God in faith, hope and solidarity.

Spiritual Communion Prayer My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to be separated from You. Amen

An Act of Contrition My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

A LISTENING EAR IN THE TIME OF LOCKDOWN Hello, my name is Jaga Heys, and I am a trained and qualified counsellor. You may know me from St. Andrew’s where I serve as a Eucharistic Minister and reader; I am the tall lady with short straight hair. During the time of lockdown I am offering free, 20 minute slots for you to offload anything that is bothering you as a consequence of the pandemic. Our talks would be by Skype, WhatsApp, these 2 being my favourite, or telephone. These will be ‘listening ear’ only talks and I will be listening empathically and unjudgementally, but not counselling. If you are interested, please contact me either by email: jaga[AT]withyoucounselling.co.uk or by text: 07508 773107. If you do not have access to the internet or a mobile, then try ringing the mobile number. I do however prefer the email or text, because I am not glued to my tech and I would not want to miss your enquiry. You can also check out both me and my credentials on my website www.withyoucounselling.co.uk

FINANCES Thank you to those who have asked how the Parish and the Parish Priest can be supported in these trying times, as a large majority of income for parishes is via the collection plate. If you are able to help financially, please do.

The Diocesan Finance office have made options available to allow parishioners to support their Parish and Parish priest through this time of not being able to attend Mass. Church income will significantly reduce as a result of the current cessation of public liturgies. We have received the following information and guidance from the Finance Office at Northampton Diocese.

  1. Donation by Post: You may send any donations to the parish, or parish priest (Easter Offering) either dropping through the letterbox in the Presbytery door, or by post to – The Presbytery, Our Lady of Peace Church, Lower Britwell Road, Burnham, Slough SL2 2NL. If you are posting please do not post cash, cheque only. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Our Lady of Peace’.
  2. Online Donation We have an online donation facility on our main Diocesan website through Virgin Money giving (link below). If you use this option we ask that you please indicate in the ‘notes’ section which parish, including the parish name and area or which priest, including his full name that you would like your donation to be attributed to. Please note that there is the facility to Gift Aid any donation to your Parish but donations to individual priests are not eligible for Gift Aid. Please therefore do not complete the Gift Aid option for any donation to a priest. Please go to northamptondiocese.org/donate.
  3. Donating by phone – The Diocese has set up ‘Giving Tuesday’. On Tuesdays between 10:00am and 4:00pm, you can donate to your parish by calling 01604 712065. Should you wish to use this option, you will need your debit or credit card to hand when you call. You can either make a one-off donation to cover your missed Sunday offerings or call each week knowing your offering is going to your parish.
  4. Standing Order via donor’s own bank: You can set up a standing order for donations to your parish using either your online bank account or in branch. You can also make a one-off payment to the parish or Parish Priest. The information required to make the donation is as follows –
    Bank: NatWest.
    Sort Code; 60-06-11.
    Account Name; 46716203. Account Name; RCDN Our Lady of Peace.
    Payment Ref: Our Lady of Peace, Slough or Parish Priest’s Easter offering.
  5. Standing Order using the form: This is available on our Diocesan website under Diocese > Departments > Finance and then within the Gift Aid paragraph. You can complete the standing order form for donations to your parish with the option to Gift Aid. Please indicate on this form if you are not a tax payer but would like to set up a standing order only.

    There are two sides/sheets to this form, it should be printed, completed, signed and returned to our Parish office, we will then forward to central offices at Bishop’s House for processing at a later date. Please remember to state which parish this standing is for i.e. ‘For the benefit of Our Lady of Peace, Slough Parish’ section at the top of the form. Banks will require 7 working days from receipt of these forms to activate the request so please ensure the start date reflects this 7 day period to ensure the S.O. can take effect.

Thank you for any help you are able to give and God bless. Fr Joseph

ONLINE ROSARY On Wednesday 13th May at 7.30 pm, we are offering a Rosary for an end to the COVID crisis. We will pray to Our Lady to ask for her intercession on behalf of all those who have suffered as a result of this virus and also for those who are on the front line fighting to save lives and assist the vulnerable in our society. The event will be shared on the Zoom video conferencing platform. If you wish to take part and would like to receive an invitation to join the Zoom meeting, please call 01628-543650 or email bobryant144[AT]gmail.com. You will need to have Zoom set up on your computer and a good broadband connection.

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS Due to the Coronavirus many of the Catholic Newspapers are now available online, on website www.ChurchPaper.co.uk.

NEWS FROM NORTHAMPTON PASTORAL MINISTRY OFFICE Find in the link included resources for Easter, Pentecost etc. http://formationpathways.co.uk/resources-for-easter-and-pentecost/ You can find the official statement on our current status from our diocese, and see Cardinal Vincent’s video message. https://northamptondiocese.org/covid-19-liturgical-response/

You can join with Pope Francis and Catholics across the world in daily prayer, Mass, and Angelus from the Vatican News website: https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html. Find the full text of Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi blessing here: http://www.nores.org.uk/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=-p1n6diBocA%3d&tabid=172

You can join with Pope Francis and Catholics across the world in daily prayer, Mass, and Angelus from the Vatican News website: vaticannews.va/en.html.

THE PARISH EVANGELISATION TEAM UPDATE Just to let you all know, we have been busy! We have been working hard to overcome the restriction caused by COVID-19 and are now able to continue with both our RCIA programme and the Relit programme with the help of the Zoom Video Conferencing App. In addition to these courses we are also able to host our monthly team prayer service. We will continue to run faith formation courses for the benefit of the Parish in this way until we get back to normal. We are also looking at running a shortened course of 8/9 sessions on Matthews Gospel. If anyone would like to take part or would like us to consider running other courses, please contact Bob B. on 01628 543650.

ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING EXCITING, LET US KNOW Are you, your family, or parish group doing or coming up with some creative and inspired ways to nourish our faith and support one another and would like to share it? Email the parish and we will publicise it.

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE PARISH WEBSITE OR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER can be sent to Fr Joseph. Items on paper and print are also accepted and can be given to Fr Joseph or delivered to the Presbytery. The deadline for items for the printed bulletin is Thursday 12 noon.

News Links

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Masses & Intentions

May 9th – May 17th
FR JOSEPH WILL OFFER MASS PRIVATELY

LIVE STREAMING All Masses will be live streamed (and the recording can be replayed anytime) on our Facebook page. There is no need to login or join to view. Go to facebook.com/BurnhamCatholicParish

May 9th – May 17th

Saturday, 9th May at 9.30am
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Rodrigo Espina RIP (Brooker). Patrick & Juliet: Thanksgiving for 5th Wedding Anniversary.
Sunday, 10th May at 9.30am | FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Mass Readings (Year A)
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Clement Francis Intentions (Family). People of the Parish.
Monday, 11th May at 9.30am
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Persecuted Christians in Syria and Worldwide (Rosary Group).
Tuesday, 12th May at 9.30am
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Aiden Daliling, Thanksgiving (Millie). Margaret McGing RIP (Rosary Group).
Wednesday, 13th May at 9.30am
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Marie Oke Intentions.
Thursday, 14th May at 9.30am | ST MATTHIAS, Apostle
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Woodard (Foundation).
Friday, 15th May at 9.30am
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Lenoy Tharakan in Thanksgiving (Family). Zeena Family Intentions and Deceased relatives (Rosary Group).
Saturday, 16th May at 9.30am
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Kay & Vince Intentions (Shiels)
Sunday, 17th May at 9.30am | SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Mass Readings (Year A)
Private Mass offered by Fr Joseph
For the intentions of: Anne Maasch RIP (birthday Remembrance) (Denise). People of the Parish. Adriana Burton, Birthday Thanksgiving.

Our Lady of Peace Church – Lower Britwell Road, Burnham | SL2 2NL
St Andrew’s – Elmshott La/Washington Drive, Cippenham, Berks | SL1 5RE

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