The Roman Catholic Parish of

St James and St William of York Reading

30th September 2018

26th Week Ordinary Time

Fr John writes:

WHAT IS JESUS REALLY SAYING IN THIS SUNDAY’S GOSPEL?

Today we hear Jesus telling us to cut off a hand, tear out an eye rather than harm another. Is he serious ? We are not intended to take these word literally but we are expected to take them seriously. Jesus is telling us that if something that is part of our life is causing us to sin, or has become a problem, we may need to cut it off. Jesus knows that we tend to go with the flow rather than take action to cut out, rather than to cut down. Many suffer from addictions of one kind or another. The alcoholic knows there is only one solution to the problem of drink and that is to cut it out. Today we are invited to take time to reflect on our weaknesses and with God’s help to address them.

Royal Berkshire Hospital Chaplain: Fr JP Lyttle Mobile: 07391 896559 RBH: 0118 322 7105

Sunday Mass 4.00pm Patients, staff & visitors welcome

On admission all Catholics should inform the hospital staff that they are Roman Catholic & if they wish to have Communion or see a priest. All arrangements in RBH are ‘Patient Led’.

PARISH PRIEST: Canon John O’Shea Parish Secretary: Catherine Ledgard Parish Safeguarding Ginika Okoye (StJ) Officers: Françoise Le Saux (StW)

stjames@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk St James Presbytery,

Abbey Ruins, Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 3FD Tel: (0118) 957 4171

St James & St William of York Reading

Website: www.jameswilliam-reading.org.uk

This parish is a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth Registered Charity No: 246871

Parish Liturgies for the week commencing 30th Sept

Sunday 26th Sunday Ordinary Time SJ 6.00pm People of the parish

SW 9.00am Oswald Francis D’Cruz RIP

SJ 11.00am Augustine Chidueme RIP

Monday ST TERESA OF THE CHILD JESUS

SJ 12.15pm Marie Browning RIP

Tuesday

Wednesday 26th Week of Ordinary Time

SJ 12.15pm People of the parish

Thursday ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

SJ 12.15pm Mr & Mrs Galinos, John, Nick and Maria RIP

Friday 26th Week of Ordinary Time SJ 12.15pm

Next Sunday 27th Sunday Ordinary Time

SJ 6.00pm Cyd Nicholls RIP

SW 9.00am Thérèse & Elément Van Winkle RIP

SJ 11.00am Dorothy Thadei Kaberege RIP

SW 6.00pm

Confessions

SJ Saturday 5pm – 5.45pm Rosary – weekdays SJ Mon to Thu after 12.15pm Mass

SJ Friday 12.45pm to 1.45pm

Psalm Response: The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

SUN 7th Oct: 27th O Time 1st R. Genesis 2:18-24 2nd R. Hebrews 2:9-11 Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 Please read these readings at home and listen to them at next Sunday’s Mass.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Offertory Collection £1607.55 (£381.70 Gift Aid) Gift aid envelopes £ 141.00 Non gift aid loose £ 642.99

Thank you for your generous contributions. Your donations make the life and work of the parish possible.

LAUNCH OF NEW PARISH WEBSITE

www.jameswilliam-reading.org.uk

Today I invite you to log in and take a look at our new parish website. Look around and get used to the updated format. This new website prepares for the future of our parish. It outlines our vision, our hopes and dreams for the future. It provides a “Give” page for a one off or regular donation or sign-up to Gift Aid as we move towards a “cashless” society. The new website will be compatible with mobile devices. It allow us to put up more photographs, more information and more parish news regularly on the website. Our thanks to the volunteers from the parish who have designed our new website. Please take a look !

KERALA FLOOD RELIEF APPEAL

Today at all Masses there is a retiring collection for us to support the Kerala appeal. Over 370 people died in the worst flood in 100 years. Our contribution will help the victims to rebuild their lives.

A CELEBRATION OF FAMILY LIFE on the 50th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae: The Church’s Solution to the Sexual Revolution” on Sat 6th Oct at Our Lady of Peace, 9am and finishes with Holy Mass at 3.30 pm.

ON FIRE Praise & Healing Service on Sat 6th Oct at St Joseph’s Tilehurst at 5pm. Come & worship with us. Bring your friends & family. See what wonders the Lord has for you!

LECTIO DIVINA CONNECT GROUP to meet on Mon 1st Oct in the Barberi Room at 7.30pm

CONTEMPLATION/CENTRING PRAYER CONNECT GROUP to meet on Mon 1st Oct at 5.15pm at Diana Polisano’s house.

FAITH IN ACTION Group to meet on Mon 1st Oct at 7.30pm in St James Presbytery.

WELCOME to Fr JP who will be celebrating our 12.15pm Masses on Wed 3rd & Fr Richard Thu 4th Oct.

FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSIS on Thu 4th Oct, Patron Saint of ecology.

UCM to meet after 12.15pm Mass on Thu 4th Oct in the Barbari Room. For Marian Day.

BAPTISMAL PREPARATION on Sat 6th Oct at 10am - 11.15am in the Barberi Room.

This Sunday 30th September 26th Sun Ordinary Time MASS COUNT at all Masses NAME BADGE SUNDAY today. SECOND COLLECTION KERALA FLOOD RELIEF APPEAL at all Masses CAFOD Harvest Fast Day envelopes to be distributed today. WELCOME RITE at 9am Mass CONFIRMATION INFO SESSION for all parents & candidates at 12.30-1.30pm at St James church UNIVERSITY MASS at 6pm at St William of York (Fresher’s Welcome Mass)

HENRY II NEW PLAY by ‘Reading Between the Lines'. At Reading Minster, 8th — 27 Oct. This is the third in a trilogy of plays about Henry and his family. To book please go to www.readingbetweenthelines.co.uk TEA & COFFEE - please join us after 9am & 11am Masses

ROSARY UNDER THE CROSS (by river Thames) on Sun Oct 7th 2.30pm on The Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, meet at Our Lady of Peace church car park. Drive to Thames Valley Park and at 3pm, say the Sorrowful Mysteries in Penance & Reparation for the sins committed within the Church and the nation against faith, life and love.

ANNUAL DAY FOR ALTAR SERVERS on Sat 13th October from 10am—4.30pm at Christ the King, Reading. Please bring altar servers robes and packed lunch. Parental booking form & consent sheets available in the sacristy.

DAY FOR CATECHISTS on Sat 20th October in St John's Cathedral 10am to 4pm. Fr John to speak on Charisms of the Catechist. Catechists who wish to travel with Fr John please contact the Parish Office. Book your place: ffm@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Next Sunday 7th October 27th Sun Ordinary Time MASS COUNT at all Masses SECOND COLLECTION CAFOD Harvest Fast Day at all Masses. If you are able to Gift Aid your donation please use the CAFOD envelopes. LAUDATO SI GROUP launches a new monthly campaign to raise our awareness on Care of our Common Home. Theme 1: “Lets cut the amount of plastics we throw away”. FLAME booking forms must be returned by today. UNIVERSITY MASS at 6pm at St William of York

TALKS: 'What no eye has seen' Inspirations of the Christian spiritual masters (touching on questions around prayer) 12 sessions - with excerpts from writings - starting October 2018 at Douai Abbey 2.15pm on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the Month. ALL WELCOME ! Please contact Fr Peter Bowe OSB to book Tel: 0118 971 5371 Email: peter@douaiabbey.org.uk

CAFOD HARVEST FAMILY FAST DAY on Fri 5th October. On Family Fast day CAFOD invites us to eat a simple meal or give up a meal to help our brothers and sisters overseas who do not have enough to eat or clean water to drink. Many thanks for your generous support.

CONFIRMATION LAUNCH SESSION on Sat 6th Oct from 10am - 3.30pm at St William of York church, for all candidates. Please return FLAME booking forms at the meeting.

MASS INTENTIONS The 2019 Mass intention book is available to book Masses from next week. The diocesan suggested stipend is £10 per Mass. Please fill in the request envelope in the porch, see Fr John after Mass or call in to the parish office to book. There is still some availability for 2018 - please ask.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2019 Parents wishing to have their child registered for First Holy Communion are invited to telephone the parish office and make an appointment to see Fr John. Children should be baptised, in school YR3 or above and regularly attend Mass with their family. Registration will close on Sun 7th Oct. The first parents meeting is on Mon 8th Oct in St William of York church at 7pm.

FLAME CATHOLIC YOUTH EVENT 2nd March 2019 at the SSE Arena, Wembley 12 noon – 5.30pm. For young people aged 14-21 years (YR10+) accompanied by parish youth leaders and priests. Tickets £20 pp. FREE coach from Reading (paid for by the parishes). Booking forms available from the back of the church. Closing date 07.10.18.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: CONFIRMATION HELPERS: our team of Confirmation leaders need helpers to assist at the sessions mainly on a Sunday 12.30-2pm. CASH COUNTING to help with the weekly cash count on Monday mornings, once a month. 3 teams of 2 people needed. REPOSITORY HELPERS for Sundays 15 mins before and after Mass. Once per month. If you can help please speak to Fr John, email or phone the parish office. Thank you.