Prayer and liturgy is at the heart of all we do at St Joseph’s. The celebration of the Eucharistic – Holy Mass – is our preeminent liturgy. Mass is celebrated in our church every day: typically at 10.00am on weekdays, 10.30am and 5.30pm on Sundays, with a vigil Mass at 5.30pm on Saturdays (please check the latest newsletter for any changes).
The second Vatican Council reminds us that Mass is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life’. Participating in Mass deepens our relationship with Jesus, binds our parish community together and empowers us to go out into the world and show God’s love to all we encounter.
Our parish statement of aspirations includes a desire for all to ‘participate in spiritually enriching liturgies’. We do not want people in our congregation to be passive observers but faithful participants in the Lord’s Supper. All our liturgies aim to engage everyone and help them enter into an ever-closer relationship with God. Over time, we are looking at widening the range of liturgies we offer and their style, although maintaining their quality will always be our first priority.
There are many ways to get more involved in the liturgical life of our parish. We are always seeking new welcomers, readers, servers, eucharistic ministers, musicians, singers and flower arrangers. All of these roles make a unique and valued contribution to our liturgies. We are committed to developing these ministries and strive to support all those undertaking them.
A liturgical reflection (from Catherine Christmas, Diocesan Liturgy and Music Adviser)
There is nothing ‘ordinary’ or commonplace about Ordinary Time! It is so called because this is the ordered time – outside the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter – when Sundays are counted (using ordinal numbers). Ordinary Time is divided into two periods: between the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Lent, and between Pentecost and the beginning of Advent. It is the longest season of the church year.
Whereas Christmas celebrates the Incarnation and manifestations of Christ, and Holy Week and the Easter season celebrate the Paschal Mystery (his Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension), the Sundays and weeks of Ordinary Time are devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects, taking us through his life, ministry, teaching, healing and other miracles.
In this season we are encouraged to grow and mature in daily expression of our faith.
This is a time to deepen our prayer life, to read and reflect on the Scriptures, and to unite ourselves more deeply with the Lord in the Eucharist. Gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can strive all the more to become the witnesses, missionary disciples and messengers of the Gospel that we have been called and commissioned to be through our baptism, showing the face of Christ to everyone we meet, and sharing his love with the world.
You can download a Scripture, Reflection and Prayer booklet for November from the Diocese here.
Music
Singing and music often play an important part in liturgies at St Joseph’s. The letters of St Paul make it clear that singing formed an integral part of Christian worship from the earliest days of the Church and the ancient proverb reminds us that ‘One who sings well prays twice’.
A variety of musicians, cantors and choirs help to enhance the liturgy and we are always looking out for new recruits. The best way to get involved is simply to talk to the musicians after Mass, especially if you enjoy the style of music they use.
Psalms for Advent
As a new Church Year begins, all the parishes in England and Wales are starting to use a new translation of the Lectionary. For the psalms, this means using the Abbey Psalms (previously we used the Grail Psalms). To give composers time to update their previous settings or write new ones, parishes are allowed to continue using settings of the Grail Psalms for three more years (to cover the three year cycle of readings for Sundays). However, the settings shared below have all been updated for the new translation.
A noticeable change that has been made in the new Lectionary is the use of Hebrew numbering for the psalms, rather than the Greek numbering. These two numbering systems often differ by one. However, most of us are probably already more familiar with the Hebrew numbering. For example, ‘The Lord’s my shepherd’ is number 23 in Hebrew but 22 in Greek.
You can find more information about the new Lectionary by clicking here.
The psalms below cover the season of Advent. This is a time of anticipation and preparation for the coming of Christ, both in celebrating His birth at Christmas and in looking forward to His second coming. The psalms used reflect these themes. There is also a psalm for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This normally occurs on 8th December but is moved to the following day this year to avoid being on a Sunday.
First Sunday in Advent (psalm 25) – Sunday 1st December
Psalm 25 is an excellent choice for the start of Advent. It is a prayer for guidance, forgiveness and deliverance. The psalmist trusts in God’s mercy and seeks His paths, something we should all be doing during Advent. The response is: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Second Sunday in Advent (psalm 126) – Sunday 8th December
Psalm 126 beautifully captures the themes of joy and restoration. It reflects on God’s past deliverance of Israel, celebrating the joy and gratitude that comes with being redeemed and restored. This fits well with Advent’s focus on looking forward to the coming of Christ and the ultimate restoration He brings. The response is: What great deeds the Lord worked for us! Indeed, we were glad.
The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (psalm 98) – Monday 9th December
Mary’s immaculate conception – being born free from original sin – helped to prepare her as the mother of Christ. Jesus’ birth was central to God’s plan of salvation, so it seems appropriate that today’s psalm is also the one used on Christmas day. Through Jesus’ coming, God has indeed ‘remembered his merciful love’ for us. The response is: O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders.
Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete Sunday) (canticle from Isaiah 12) – Sunday 15th December
This canticle is a song of joy and thanksgiving, very appropriate for ‘Gaudete’ or ‘Rejoicing’ Sunday. Its themes clearly link to the Advent anticipation of Christ’s birth and the ultimate joy of His coming. The response is: Shout aloud and sing praise, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Fourth Sunday in Advent (psalm 80) – Sunday 22nd December
Psalm 80 emphasises themes of restoration, salvation and the coming of the Messiah. This psalm is a communal lament that calls on God to restore and save His people, which aligns with the hope and anticipation of Advent. The response asks for God’s face to shine upon us, resonating with the light imagery often associated with Advent and Christmas. This response is: Bring us back, O God; let your face shine forth, and we shall be saved.
The psalm settings used here are composed by Chris Donovan, with Terry Donohoe as cantor. You can find settings of the psalms for every Sunday and major feast day by clicking here. Psalm texts are from The Abbey Psalms and Canticles by the Monks of Conception Abbey © 2018, 2010 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Every Sunday during school term we offer a special liturgy for children aged 3 to 6 at the 10.30am Mass.
Parents drop their children off on arrival at the Westlake Room (adjacent to the main hall). Children re-join their families during the offertory.
Typically, the liturgy includes song, prayer, Gospel reading and an interactive reflection. It aims at fostering children’s awareness of God in a way that is appropriate to their faith development.
Children’s Liturgy is not a class as such. Our aim is to gently lead younger members of the congregation into the worshipping community.
Flower Arranging
The flower arranging team are a dedicated group who endeavour to make our place of worship an attractive and thoughtful setting for meaningful prayer.
We work on a rota system during those periods during the liturgical year when floral decorations are permitted. At Christmas and Easter we work closely together ahead of the most important celebrations in the church year.
Below you can see some photos of our preparations for this Christmas (see also our Facebook page). We also used this opportunity to provide training for some of our new members. If you would like to get involved please contact the parish office and someone will get in touch with you.
Formation
Please check here regularly for details of formation courses being run by the Parish or Diocese.
Bereavement
The death of a loved one, or other kinds of loss, can be a bewildering and devastating experience and may bring about very strong emotions. People grieve in different ways. Some seem to cope well initially, but find it more difficult later. Some have more difficulties at the beginning.
Be gentle with yourself whatever feelings and reactions you are experiencing. Grief is a very personal experience and there is no right or wrong way to feel. We are all different and deal with things in different ways. It is important to allow yourself time to grieve in a way that feels right for you. It is normal to feel angry, or guilty or very alone. Life may feel as if it has no purpose.
Take things one day at a time!
DO
- Keep in touch with family and friends by phone, text, email or letter.
- Get rest, fresh air, sunlight and exercise when possible.
- Keep a regular routine.
- Accept practical help from others.
- Talk about your feelings and the loss you have experienced.
- Do allow Jesus to comfort you.
If you need to access bereavement support, we have volunteers who are trained in consolation support within the Parish. Please contact the Parish office if you would like to speak to a member of the Ministry of Consolation team.
BEREAVEMENT CAFE
Bereavement grief comes in all different aspects and we are never sure when or where it will strike. At this time we can feel very alone and that we are the only one going through this. This is not the case. Please come along and join us on the last Monday in the month. We meet in the Chatterton Room at 10.30am after morning Mass. We offer a warm, inviting space where you can share a cup of coffee, a listening ear, and friendship. Please feel free to bring a family member or friend with you.
Prayer – communication with our Heavenly Father
These resources are here to inspire you to spend some time with our Lord whether alone or with a group. Keep checking back for updates and new prayers. Either stay here awhile and talk to our Lord or use the links below to guide you through the stations of the cross or pray the rosary.
Pope Francis has declared that 2024 should be a Year of Prayer ahead of the 2025 Jubilee. He has called on the faithful ‘to intensify prayer to prepare us to live well this event of grace and to experience the power of God’s hope.’ The Holy Father explained that the Year of Prayer is dedicated ‘to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world.’
The Jesuits have produced a ‘Pilgrims of Prayer’ booklet, which you can find here. It introduces exercises that you may find useful in your own prayer life.
There are many exercises for improving our physical health and wellbeing. Ignatius of Loyola wrote what he called the Spiritual Exercises, a variety of ways of praying to develop our spiritual health and wellbeing, our relationship with God and the world.
Just like physical exercise, if we talk about it but don’t actually engage in any exercise, our endeavour will not be very fruitful! The Pilgrims of Prayer booklet introduces exercises that you may find it useful to practise, with short chapters on the Morning Offering, the act of the presence of God, the four anchor points of prayer, Lectio Divina, imaginative contemplation, the Examen, and praying with art.
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
St Alphonsus Maria de’Liguori
Lord, the Word who is Life.
May all the people of our Diocese
grow in openness
to the power of the Holy Spirit,
so that through a growth in understanding and courage,
and truly open to your call,
we may bear powerful witness
to all around us,
for you are Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path,
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen.
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity
and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Common Catholic Prayers (link to external site)
Prayers resources from Cafod (link to external site)
Pray the Rosary (link to external site, where you can choose to recite an individual Rosary or join in a worldwide devotion)