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Supporting our fellow parishioners during the Covid-19 crisis

As the Covid-19 crisis deepens, many parishioners, including some of the most vulnerable members of our community, may need to self-isolate in the coming weeks. Now, more than ever, we need to offer practical and pastoral support to our fellow parishioners through what may be a difficult and lonely period.

Here at St Joseph’s, the St Vincent de Paul Society will be coordinating our efforts to support those who need it. If you require support, or know someone who might benefit from extra support, please contact the Parish Office. 

To ensure we comply with the relevant data protection laws, we would need consent from anyone requiring help for our group of volunteers to contact them.

We are also looking for more volunteers – if you could help with shopping or running errands, or by calling parishioners who find themselves alone during self-isolation, we would love to hear from you.

The Parish Office is now officially closed but you can still contact the Parish Secretary, Mondays to Fridays, 9.30am until 12.30pm on 07488 241753 or email [email protected].

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Coronavirus update

In compliance with national and diocesan guidelines to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, we have put in place some changes, until further notice, to try and limit the spread of the virus.

Holy Communion will be distributed under one kind only, at the sign of peace please just nod or smile; the Holy Water stoups will be kept empty. The Mass Sheets will be for single use and are to be taken home after Mass and not left in church.

There are hand-gels at the back of church and other areas PLEASE use them – ONE PUMP IS ENOUGH.

The PC kitchen is closed until further notice, as is the Bookshop.

These guidelines may change at any point, and we will do our best to keep them updated.

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Lent at St Joseph’s

NB. Please note certain changes below – in BOLD AND CAPITAL LETTERS due to danger of contracting the coronavirus.

LENTEN CHARITIES 2020(as agreed by the PPC)

Our chosen home charity is The Bournemouth Oratory, to support their charitable work in feeding over 80 homeless and rough sleepers in the area daily. 
Our overseas charities this year will be Akanani(Build together) and Lerato(Love) ecumenical projects initiated by the Tshwane Leadership Foundation (TLF).  Both projects seek to address some of the social issues in the inner city of Pretoria, the Capital city of South Africa.  More info in future bulletins.

Our 2nd Collections during Lent, our Parish Lunch , and our Friday Lenten Lunches are all fund-raisers for these projects.  Parish Groups are asked to start thinking now of their own fund-raising ideas.

NB. OUR FRIDAY LENTEN LUNCHES ARE SUSPENDED UNDER FURTHER NOTICE.

We have Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent –  NOW AFTER 10AM MASS ONLY.  All are encouraged to attend.

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St Joseph’s Advent Charity 2019

Last Advent we supported The Mother of Good Counsel / Mater Dei Girls’ Centre, in Rivers State, Nigeria.

This is a Non-Governmental and Not-for-Profit Organisation committed to counsel, inspire and empower less privileged out-of-school girls and young women in Rivers State, Nigeria. They need their own building to actualise their vision as they run two different centres in the state and the rents are high.

Fr Uche visited the centre recently, and brought back photos and a letter of appreciation from the Executive Director – please see letter of appreciation below, and click here to see some of the photos.

Mother of Good Counsel InitiativeDownload