Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth Registered Charity No. 246871

Corpus Christi Wokingham

South Berkshire Pastoral Area

Parish Priest: Fr David O’Sullivan Telephone: 0118 978 0348 Mob 0755 442 7063

Office e-mail: wokingham@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Fr David’s e-mail: dosullivan@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

22nd April 2018—4th Sunday of Easter —Year B

Today’s gospel is for anyone who has ever felt unloved or

insignificant. Today’s gospel is for anyone who feels his or

her life doesn’t count for much. At some time or another

that probably means most of us. In biblical days shepherding was a highly dangerous

business. Herds might consist of thousands of sheep, and

shepherds had to be highly skilled in tending for the sheep

and protecting them from wolves and robbers. The

shepherd’s care and courage were legendary. A good shepherd would not think twice

about his own life in protecting his sheep. This is the image that Jesus chose for himself

in today’s gospel. He is the good shepherd. His leadership is a mixture of tenderness,

strength and self sacrifice. Jesus loves us so much that he would lay down his life. That’s

a powerful belief to take out into the world! But what if we don’t quite believe it? Surely there are too many of us to love and look

after individually. People fall by the wayside all the time. We hear tragic stories of elderly

people who die alone and are not discovered for days because no one cares enough to

visit. We see down and outs sleeping in subways because their family and friends have

given up on them. Can God really be looking out for each and every one of us? Surely

there are too many of us to look after – to love individually. Not so! Jesus we’re told

would not let even one of his sheep stray without coming to the rescue. He knows each

and every one of us by name. If we are one of his, then he will recognise us and take care

of us. That’s another powerful belief to wake up with. The next time you are feeling lost

and forgotten, try looking for the Good Shepherd’s love in your life. God’s help is always

there when we look to him.

MASS TIMES

Saturday Vigil 21st April 6pm Confessions 6.30pm People of the Parish Sunday 22nd April 4th Sunday of Easter 09.00 Edward Hall RIP 11.00 John & Mary Dobson—in Thanksgiving on their Diamond Anniversary Monday 23rd April St George, Martyr, Patron of England

09.30 Ormazabal & Benavent Family Intentions Tuesday 24th April 09.30 Rev Canon John Connolly RIP

Please remember to switch off your mobile phone before Mass God deserves all our attention Thank you.

Important Contacts.

Hospital / Home visits. Sick Communion, Baptism Preparation If you are sick or going into hospital and would like a visit or Holy Communion, call the office on 0118 978 0348 or call Fr. David. Baptisms—see Fr. David after Mass on any Sunday for further details Other Priests in the area : Fr Marcus Brisley 01252 876820 Fr. Danny Mc Avoy 01344 425729, Fr Kevin Bidgood 01344 620591 Safeguarding: Richard Roberts 0118 978 9059 SVP: David Thomas 07786 492948

Wednesday 25th April St Mark, Evangelist 09.30 Jim Dimond RIP Thursday 26th April 09.30 Nelda Zanelli RIP Friday 27th April 09.30 Saturday 28th April St Peter Chanel, Missionary Martyr No morning mass Saturday Vigil 28th April 6.30pm Sr Elizabeth Corrigan RIP Sunday 29th April 4th Sunday of Easter 09.00 Linda Joffee—for wellbeing 11.00 People of the Parish

Parish Office Opening Times :- Tuesday to Friday, 08.30 to 13.30 The Parish Office is closed all day Monday Your Parish Administrator, Una Smith, can be contacted on Tel: 0118 978 0348 or email , wokingham@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

In your prayers, please remember those who have recently died. Also pray for all who are sick, in hospital or housebound especially Pam Sheridan, Mary Ann Froude, Daniel Sutton, Hugh Dwan,

Joseph Nemeth, Natalie Mahon, Stephen Sweeney and Sr Veronica.

Last Week’s Collection : Standing Orders: £1325 Envelopes: £167 Cash: £676 Thank you for your Contribution

The St Vincent de Paul Society (the SVP) Do you need help or do you know someone in need of help? The SVP can be contacted on 07786 492948 and all calls are completely confidential.

Responding to Pope Francis's and Caritas Internationalis call to "Share the Journey",

CAFOD and Caritas Diocese of Portsmouth are co-sponsoring a conference on refugees

on the 12th May in St Edward the Confessor Church in Chandlers Ford. The conference

will also be entitled "Share the Journey" so come along and see what we can practically

do as a diocese to assist refugees including coming together as parishes to sponsor and

house refugee families. More information and registration at

https://goo.gl/22tgLY or contact kgalagher@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Diocesan Catholic Disability Fellowship—The aim of the Fellowship is to provide help and assistance to all those within our Parishes who may have any kind of disability and to provide a voice to ensure that their needs are met. With these objectives in mind, we would like a representative in every Parish who is able to act as a link between their church and the organizing committee . If you feel able to offer your services in this respect, please contact the Parish office for further information

Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life—22nd April

We are not victims of chance or swept up in a series of unconnected events; on the

contrary, our life and our presence in this world are the fruit of a divine vocation!

Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. On this day we are

asked to make a special effort to ask the Lord for more vocations to the priesthood

and religious life. Our Diocese currently has 13 students for the priesthood. Please

pray for our seminarians that they will continue to respond to God’s call. There is a

second collection this weekend for our Clergy Training Fund.

Are you celebrating a 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th or anniversary over 60 years? If so Bishop Philip would like to invite you to a Mass of celebration. This will take place at St Bede’s Church in Basingstoke on Saturday 30th June 2018. It is a wonderful occasion to celebrate and witness to Marriage. If you would like to come, please visit the Cathedral website http://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/anniversaries/ and fill in the on-line form, or send an email to anniversaries@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

A group of parishioners are planning to participate in the Wokingham Walk on Sunday 13th May (www.wokinghamwalk.co.uk) in memory of Andrew Robertson, a young member of our parish who passed away last year. We will be aiming to sign up for the 10-mile distance, however there are alternative routes (5, 15, 20) if people prefer to walk fewer or more miles. We will aim to start the walk at 10.30am from the town centre, after the 9.00am Mass which will be said for Andrew. There is an entry free for the walk but we have also set up a Just Giving page to raise money for the road safety charity ‘Brake’, for those that wish to do so. If you are interested in joining us, please email either cathyb40@btinternet.com or juliadahmann@hotmail.com

Sherry Weddell, author of Called and Gifted, and Forming Intentional Disciples, is coming to the diocese next month. There are two events for laity, held at the Basingstoke Country Hotel. On Friday 18th May 2pm - 7pm she will be speaking about parish renewal and a few of our parishes will be sharing what they are doing. On Sat 19thMay 9.30am - 4.30pm Sherry will be focusing on the personal spiritual journey and how each of us can develop our love and relationship with the Lord. For more details and to book free places, please email Clare atcsimpson@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Adoremus—Diocesan Day in preparation for the Eucharistic Congress , New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth on May 5th. Keynote speakers, workshops and music—all are invited to this free event—Doors 9:30am • start 10:30am • finishes with holy hour by 5:00pm Booking is essential either e/m congress@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk or Tel: 07780221686. See poster on our noticeboard. For further information visit http://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/enews/issue173.php

Rosary on the Coast, Sun 29th April 2.30 - 4:00pm Our parish is doing its own "Rosary on the Coast" by the River Thames from Thames Valley Park to Sonning. We will be praying for Faith, Life and Peace in the British Isles. Please contact the Parish office if you are keen to join this group. More details to follow.

Sing a New Song: Next prayer meeting is Weds 25

April at 8 pm in the Keenan Rooms. Please join

our time of prayer, intercession, reflection, Bible

readings and, especially, fellowship. We look

forward to seeing you – new people are always

very warmly welcome!

Do have a read of the Portsmouth Diocesan enews — many interesting articles at http://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/enews/issue179.php