Mass times at St Edwards Church     

Saturday     18.00

Sunday        11.00

Tuesday       18.30

Wednesday 10.00

Thursday      10.00

Friday           12.00

Mass times at St Marks Church

Sunday 9.30

These weekday times may change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as funerals or weddings, so please consult the weekly newsletter for details.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 2^nd October 2022

A few months ago, I told you that I had been appointed by the Bishop as a Vicar General and Vicar for the Clergy. Many people have asked me what this means and what do I have to do! I thought it might be helpful just to explain a little of this new role and why I will be out of the parish more often than I would otherwise.

Vicar General

In every diocese the Bishop appoints a Vicar General to assist him in the governance of the whole Diocese. In this Diocese the Bishop has appointed two. Fr James McAuley who also has particular care of the Curia (administration of the Diocese).  He is the moderator of the curia and is based in Portsmouth.

I have been appointed as a Vicar General and Vicar for the Clergy. Which means that I have oversight and care for all priests and deacons from the moment they are ordained until they die! At present we have about 70 Diocesan priests as well as those from religious communities and priests from overseas who are working with us.  We also have 48 retired priests to care for. Then we have 39 permanent deacons working in Parishes. I have recently moved the department for Clergy to be based in Sandhurst. In the department I lead, I have Wendy Escott who is head of Clergy Human Development and Mary Anne who is the PA.  This department ensures that all the clergy are cared for.  Some are in parish ministry or retired. We also have to ensure that they have opportunities for ongoing formation. As you might imagine the needs of the clergy are all different.

Most weeks I shall try to spend Tuesdays with the team in Sandhurst. But of course, it will entail other meetings with individual clergy during the week around the Diocese. Needless to say, it does mean a lot of extra meetings with the Bishop’s Council and personnel meetings. Some of these thankfully can be conducted on ‘Teams’ (another version of Zoom), so it means less travelling. The ten-year plan that all parishes are asked to discuss over the next few weeks will have a big implication on the work of the Department for Clergy. So please do try to attend these meetings, that will be advertised in the newsletter.

Thankfully, we have a wonderful and committed team here in the parish and I know that I can rely on your help and support. So please pray for me as I begin this new role.

Canon David Hopgood

RECENTLY UPDATED SECTIONS

‘We Have a Plan’

Last Tuesday, Bishop Philip issued You Will Be My Witnesses, the draft of an important strategic plan which will affect everyone in the Diocese; clergy and laity alike. The plan seeks to revitalise our mission as Christ’s followers and strengthen us to meet the needs of the diocese today and for the next 10 years.  Together we are charged to build new flourishing parishes, always keeping Jesus Christ at the heart of our journey.

There are three phases over the next two years; we are all invited to help shape, develop, and journey with the plan.

The first step is the ‘Consultation Phase’ from now until December. All are invited to contribute ideas, consider what is good, and what is lacking in the consultation document.  All feedback will be sent to the bishop in preparation for the next phase and the publication of the finalised plan in early 2023.

The Strategy and Stewardship Group encourages everybody to read the draft strategy which you can access here Draft Strategy document to learn more.  Key highlights are:

• The 3 phases running until  2027 will build a sustainable, cohesive, and effective Diocese for mission.
• A new Pastoral Area will be established comprising St Francis of Assisi, Ascot and Windsor (St Edward’s and St Mark’s). Across the diocese, some 26 new Pastoral Areas will be created.
• From January 2023, the new Pastoral Areas will meet to see how they might build new missionary communities and eventually form one parish. This will mean reviewing all aspects of parish life; our liturgy, our schools, finances, and chaplaincy. In Ascot and Windsor we will work to develop a strong, caring, inclusive, thriving missionary community supporting our neighbour and becoming closer to Christ.

What’s next?

• From late September we will hold consultation / listening sessions to seek feedback from as many people as possible. Please come along to one of these sessions so we can capture YOUR thoughts about OUR parish and its future – more information of how to become involved will be sent out in the next few weeks.
• A condensed version of the Strategic Plan will be available in September.
• Regular updates will be issued and made available online and via the newsletter.

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAM – 2022 – 2023

As at 14 September 2022, application for the 2022/2023 First Holy Communion Programme is now closed. If you would like your child to go on the waiting list for the 2023/2024 programme please email the FHC Team at fhc@catholicwindsor.org .

For those families wishing to enrol their children (who are in year 3 or above) we shall be having a threefold programme, as follows:-

Step 1: ‘ Come and See’  ( John1: 39-41)

For 6 weekends from the 24/25 September to the end of October. The candidate is required to attend weekend Masses with Family members.

Step 2: ‘They sat at the feet of Jesus’  (Luke 10:38-42)

The Saturday morning sessions start at the beginning of November where the candidates will prepare with their parents for First Reconciliation and Holy Communion.

Step 3: ‘Jesus Sent them Out’  (Luke 10:1)

The Holy Communion Mass will be followed by an invitation to do something for the community and will be introduced to the Mini Vinnies in the parish (Junior SVP).

To enrol in step 1 please fill in an application form that can be found below.

The introduction and the unfolding of the programme will be on Wednesday 21st September at 18:30 in the Parish Centre. At this meeting of parents, you will receive the ‘record card’ that need to be stamped when you attend Mass. Further dates will be given at this meeting.

To apply for registration please download the application form that you will find below.   Please fill this in online and email to fhcwindsor@gmail.com.

Click Here for First Communion Application Form   FHC Application Form-22-09-10

 

ALPHA 2022 has STARTED!

Alpha is a series of 10 sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each week, we look at a different question around faith and the format is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome – so join as yourself, invite a friend, neighbour or member of your family!

No two Alphas look the same, but generally they have these things in common: food, music, great people, and short talk with small group discussion.  

There is no cost to attend. We meet Tuesday evening 19:00 – 20:45 in St. Edwards’ Parish Centre, starting 20 September 2022. For more details go to ALPHA in PARISH GROUPS above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABILITY AND BOOKING THE PARISH HALL AND ST BRIGID’S ROOM

The Parish Hall and St Brigid’s Room are now available to host Parish Functions. Please complete the attached Form and return to the Parish Office. Click here for Booking Form – Parish Centre Booking Request-22-03-24

Click the links below to see the availability of our spaces:

 

HOW TO PRAY

“Prayer.” When you see that word, what thoughts or images come to mind? Does talking to God come easy to you? Or do you struggle to pray?  Knowing what to say to God doesn’t always feel easy, and sometimes, prayer gets weighed down by our misconceptions about what a conversation with God should look like. Canon David has offered the following  short document containing advice and help when praying to God.

Click here for  How to Pray-21-04-09

PARISH HANDBOOK

Download the parish handbook below.

Click here for Parish Handbook

NEW PARISHIONERS

Welcome to any new parishioners. Please make yourself known to Canon David after Mass or contact the Parish Office and complete the attached Registration Form and email back to the Parish office at parishoffice@catholicwindsor.org

Standing Order: If you wish to donate your collection by standing order, please click here for the Standing Order Form; Standing Order form-20-08-15 . Please print out the form and complete by hand. Please send signed form to the Parish Office or hand to Canon David after mass.

Gift Aid: If you wish to Gift Aid your Collection, please click here for the Gift Aid Form: Gift Aid Form-20-08-15  Please print out the form and complete by hand. Please send signed form to the Parish Office or hand to Canon David after mass.

HOW TO FIND US

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE PARISH

For information about Weddings bookings, Baptism booking, and 1st communion bookings please refer to the appropriate section in “Sacramental Services” (see section headings above) or phone the Parish Office on 01753 865163.