News

Our website has now changed as of 27 November 2020.. Please visit us at the below website – www.rcstortford.org.uk

Sunday Message from Fr Peter on the Feast of Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe “The Feast of Christ the King always heralds the end of the Church’s year, which means, indeed, that the following Sunday IS the Church’s new year – the First Sunday of Advent…. So, in the world of our Catholic […]

The Giving Tree 2020 Powerpoint Click on the link above to watch the whole powerpoint presentation  

Cleaner Vacancies St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School are looking for cleaners to join their team in January 2021, 7.00am to 9.00am and/or 3.30pm to 5.30pm weekdays, term time only with possible overtime during school holidays. Please contact Nicola McManus 01279 652576 sbmanager@stjosephs207.herts.sch.uk for an application form. The school is committed to safeguarding children and young […]

Most of us have read the parable of the talents many times, and more likely than not we think of the talents referred to as representing our own gifts or abilities and that we should use them not for our benefit but for the good of others. A less common interpretation — equally valid and […]

As we remember the Holy Souls during the month of November, we once again pay tribute to and pray for those parishioners who died during WW1 and WW2.  As part of the ‘ There but not there’ project our Church pews are filled with the silhouettes of eight young men who lost their lives. At […]

Introducing Fr Antonio… It is unfortunate that I arrived in Bishop’s Stortford just a week before the national lockdown kicked in. It meant that I got the chance to meet just a few of the parishioners before, once again, we were told to “stay at home and save lives”. But I can at least introduce […]

Unfortunately due to the further COVID-19 restrictions and  lockdown,  we are no longer able to gather for public worship  from Thursday 5th November until 2nd December 2020 however… Fr Peter and Fr Antonio Mass will continue to celebrate daily and weekend Mass at St Joseph’s behind’closed doors’ albeit without a physical congregation being present. Mass […]

Today, Parliament passed into law the Regulations governing many aspects of activity in the whole of England until 2nd December.  These Regulations prohibit the gathering of people for communal worship in churches and other religious buildings. Churches remain open and in use for activities other than communal worship, including personal prayer and support for those in […]

On Saturday 31st October, the Prime Minister announced further widespread restrictions in England beginning on Thursday 5th November.  The Government has published its New National Restrictions Guidance on its website here.  Whilst there was no formal announcement on Places of Worship by the Prime Minister, there is clear guidance on this website that places of worship will be […]

THE BISHOP’S STORTFORD FOODBANK REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR 🎄 I’m sure many of you will of heard about a ‘reverse advent calendar’ – where you donate an item to a charity or a Foodbank in the lead up to Christmas. This is something the Food bank are really excited about doing…however they are going to start […]

Fr Antonio has just arrived, luckily with others to carry his things up to the second floor ! It made me reflect on new beginnings…. I THINK I remember starting secondary school. I do remember that for the first year we had to wear shorts, ‘cos we were the juniors ! Then it was long […]

It’s not a scene from ‘Ghostbusters,’ but Fr Peter helping to keep St Joseph’s sterile and clean with our new ‘ fogging machine’ Photo courtesy of DJ

At the weekend we celebrated our last Mass with Fr Carlos and presented him with gifts from the Parish. We send our love and prayers with Fr Carlos as he departs for St Joan of Arc in Highbury. We shall miss you very much! Photos courtesy of Bernadette

Dear brothers and sisters, I am afraid to say that this is the end – it is the last weekend here in the parish. As I finish tying loose ends in the office and presbytery, I have had the opportunity to reflect in the past three years in Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, and Much Hadham. I […]

Dear Parishioners, Because my mother had to go to work, I spent my summer holidays at babysitter’s house. She was an elderly, Puerto Rican who had three grown children. I can attest that she was a very stern yet loving babysitter. I mention stern because she also looked after a child who was five years […]

As you may be aware, Victim Support (VS) has been awarded the contract to manage the new flagship project: Safe Spaces, a joint Anglican and Catholic Church project to provide a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse. Although the churches have funded the service, it is run independently by the charity Victim Support, […]

    It is a sunny Autumn day as I sit in my study typing this.  Yesterday it was raining and I thought it was supposed to today as well !?!? Why is the weather so changeable.  Ask a weather forecaster I guess !  When I think of the changeability of the weather it always […]

ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS  2021-22– If your child was born between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2017, you can apply for a Primary School place to start in September 2021.  The application process opens 2nd November 2020 and closes on 15th January 2021. The school will be hosting an Open Day for parents applying […]

Dear Parishioners, I remember that there was a film in 1994 produced by Disney called Angels in the Outfield. I actually remembered it because, in those times that you had two VCRs, you were able to record a film from Blockbuster into another tape. (Remember those times we had to press Record and Play to […]

Part of the Gospel this weekend relates the son of the owner of a vineyard whop, when asked by his father to go and work in the vineyard blatantly says “No”, but….”afterwards thought better of it”… How often have we found ourselves doing that ? – frequently, I hope.  The grace to climb down and […]

Parish Message for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time   Dear Parishioners, I write to you today from my little corner overlooking the crossroads in my lovely New York as I am in the midst of preparing for a wedding … There is a song by the Puerto Rican artist Hector Lavoe titled ‘Todo Tiene […]

It is lovely to see so many people back at Mass. We have worked hard to ensure that the Church remains COVID-19 secure to keep everyone safe but we do need your help! Please ensure that you have booked your place at Mass  as we have a limited number of seats and also to comply […]

It’s one of those things in life that we sometimes find difficult – “new beginnings”. Often we feel that we’ve only just got used to something new and we have to change again – Cardinal St John Henry Newman said something to the effect that “to change is to grow, to change often is to […]

We received a surprise parcel in the post containing the most wonderful hand knitted Nativity set! It was very kindly made by Jo from St Leonards on Sea who is one of our ‘ On line Parishioners’.It will be advertised on the ‘Across’ fundraising page to raise valuable funds..