^11/11/2023

Closer to Christ Fundraising Announcement

The Closer to Christ Campaign is a fundraising initiative that will deliver resources (pastoral, financial and expertise) for the whole Diocese, including our Parish of St Joseph. It will help to ensure the future viability of our Catholic community by addressing the growing demands.

The campaign has two key aims:

 - Providing for our priests, from formation and in retirement, ensuring they are happy, healthy, and holy.
 - Reviving our parish communities, guaranteeing they have the necessary resources in place to thrive.

Our goal is to raise £220,000 in pledges over the next three-five years and importantly, when we reach our target, our parish will keep one third of the funds raised, which means over £72,600 coming back to our parish, providing us with the resources required to thrive in the future.

Every Catholic throughout the Diocese will be provided with the opportunity to learn more about the Closer to Christ Campaign and its impact. We wish for all parishioners to make an informed decision that is right for them and encourage everyone to ask questions and to give prayerful consideration to their commitment.

Bishop Philip's 'Closer to Christ' campaign announcement letter to St Joseph's can be read here.

The Closer to Christ Campaign Prayer

O God our Father,
we thank you and praise you for the many blessings
you give to your people in this Diocese of Portsmouth.
We come before you now, seeking again your favour,
humbly asking you to reinvigorate the mission and service of
the Church in this place.

Through the prayers of Mary Immaculate and St. Edmund of Abingdon,
fill our hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit
and stir up anew great generosity in the hearts of all
that the Closer to Christ Campaign might flourish
and that many people may come closer to you through your Church.

Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen