Prayer and Scripture
Prayer is the tool our loving, heavenly Father has chosen for us to communicate with him. Prayer blesses us, strengthens us, and brings greater peace into our lives than we could ever imagine. Prayer opens our hearts for His Spirit to lead us and guide us.
There are a number of opportunities to meet, pray and learn more about our faith. Several groups come together on a regular basis including:
Adoration
Eucharistic adoration (also known as Holy Hour) is simply adoring or honouring the Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
During Eucharistic Adoration, we “watch and wait”, we remain in God’s Presence and open ourselves to His Graces which flow from the Eucharist. The Lord draws us to Himself and gently transforms us.
Eucharistic Adoration is an opportunity to pray to Jesus Christ before the Eucharist.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place each week at the following times:
St. Joseph’s and St. Elizabeth’s each Saturday at St. Josephs 9.00am-10.00am
St. Edmund Campion on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9.00am
St. Thomas More on Friday mornings at 9.30am before 10.00am mass
Mass Intentions
There is a long and venerable tradition in the Catholic Church that the faithful ask their priests to celebrate Holy Mass for particular, specified intentions.
An individual may ask a priest to offer a Mass for several reasons: for example, in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday, good health, peace in family life), or as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died or on their anniversary.
Since the practice is of immense spiritual benefit to both the living and the dead, and because it also helps to support your clergy and parish, we would encourage you to request that Masses be offered for your intentions.
Please contact the church office, if you wish to have a Mass celebrated for your intentions.
St. Joseph’s and St. Elizabeth’s via the parish office office@stjosephsparish.co.uk
St. Edmund Campion via the parish office office@stedmundcampion.org.uk
St. Thomas More via the parish office stmtwyford@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Pope Paul VI said, “The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!” It has immense power and countless miracles and conversions have occurred throughout the centuries by offering Masses for a specific intention or person. Mass intentions are a great treasure of the Church and have a spiritual weight that is incalculable.
House Blessings
House blessings (also known as house healings, house clearings, house cleansings and space clearing) are rites intended to protect the inhabitants of a house or apartment from misfortune, whether before moving into it or to “heal” it after an occurrence. The rite also asks God’s protection and blessing upon each member of the family.
In Christianity, house blessing is an ancient tradition, that is usually performed by a priest who sprinkles holy water and blessed salt as he walks through every room of the house, accompanied by the occupants of the house, whilst praying for the occupants.
Leader: “Peace be to this house and: to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.
All: Blessed be God forever.
If you would like your home blessed, then please contact one of the priests and a time and date can be arranged.
The blessing ritual takes about 20 minutes, and it is lovely if all occupants of the home are present.
Mothers' Prayers
We are a small group of (biological and spiritual) mothers who meet regularly to pray for our children.
Mother’s Prayers was started in England in 1995 and has spread rapidly throughout the world with contacts in over 100 countries and has the approval, support and blessing of Christian leaders of all denominations. There are now thousands of groups around the world.
Mother’s prayers takes place:
St. Edmund Campion each Friday 8:30am-9:30am
St. Joseph’s each Monday at 10.00am
To find out more contact Norris Dukes at St. Edmund Campion via the parish office office@stedmundcampion.org.uk
Grandparents Prayer Group
We are a small group of grandparents who meet regularly to pray for our children and grandchildren.
Grandparents Prayers is based at: St. Thomas More on Thursday mornings after 10.00am mass.
Rosary
The Rosary is a Catholic prayer based upon the Bible that focuses on the events in the life of Jesus and that of Mary the Mother of Jesus.
Rosary comes from the Latin word for “rose garden,” an image used for the Blessed Virgin Mary in Latin hymns. Using the rosary, we pray while contemplating sacred Mysteries of our faith.
The Rosary is prayed together:
At St. Joseph’s on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.40am
At St. Edmund Campion every Thursday at 9.00am
At St. Thomas More on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9.40am
And Online:
When: each Thursday at 2.00pm
When you log into Zoom, Meeting ID: 828 0690 1794 and password: 312990.
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary was founded over 100 years to help Catholics fulfil their Baptismal promises. It’s mission is to serve God under the banner of Mary through corporal and spiritual works of Mercy.
This is usually done by solidarity in prayer, attending Mass and learning more about the Catholic faith. Members of the Legion are engaged primarily in spiritual works of mercy, rather than works of material aid.
HOW TO JOIN US
We meet each Friday at 6.00pm in St Joseph’s Church. To get involved please contact:
Fr Ephraim 07785 727951
Adult Formation Group
Based in St. Thomas More, the Adult Formation meeting took place most Tuesdays at 8.15pm, this group has instead stepped back whilst The Chosen screening and prayer group meet. See The Chosen below for more information.
When the group do meet, they read a passage from the writings of Fr Luigi Giussani, the founder of Communion and Liberation and use it to start a conversation on our daily life, the relevance of faith and the encounter with Jesus and the Church.
For more information about when this may restart, please contact Ambrogio Volonte via the Parish Office stmtwyford@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Churches Wthout Walls
We provide a deeply spiritual encounter with the Holy Spirit through prayer and meditation. An opportunity to hear and discuss the Word of God and to share our thoughts, our love and our experience of grace.
The group is open to Christians of any denomination in the spirit of unity. Fellowship and friendship are at the heart of the group with our Lord Jesus at its centre.
The group avoids areas of conflict while encouraging difference and diversity. While not strictly speaking a charismatic group it has a charismatic nature of praying and seeking the spirit and occasionally prophetic words.
We also share petitions for healing, greater understanding, and wisdom.
The Church without Walls takes place virtually on Zoom and is open to everyone.
Please contact Eric Ramon via the Parish Office via the parish office office@stedmundcampion.org.uk for more information
Remembrance Services
These are short services of prayer, hymns and readings, held once a year at St Josephs and St. Edmund Campion in November, to remember those who have died (recently or at any time in the past). More information about the next services can be found in the newsletter in November.
Prison Visits
Father Liam visits local prisons regularly, supported by Eric Ramon. If you would like to hear more about this important ministry or helping prisoners, please contact Father Liam directly.
Visiting Traveller Communities
Father Liam also visits traveller sites, supported by Eric Ramon. If you would like to hear more about this important ministry, please contact Father Liam directly.
The Chosen
The Chosen is a worldwide, popular TV series which details the life of Christ. Each episode focusses on a specific event in his life and is true to the gospel. Fr. Kevin Hughes is leading a weekly screening and talking about the themes shown each week.
Where: St. Thomas More
When: Monday evenings at 7.00pm
For more information, please contact Father Kevin Hughes via the parish office stmtwyford@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
