News

An application is to be made to the Diocese to carry out works at St Joseph’s to replace our current antiquated heating system. It is believed that we are the only parish in the Diocese which still runs an oil fired boiler to heat the radiators in the Church which is both costly and not […]

See page 17 of the Bishop’s Stortford Independent for a lovely action shot photo of Fr Peter in a hard hat blessing St Mary’s building having climbed onto the roof! Meanwhile Fr Carlos has been busy getting muddy shoes back on’ terra firma’ at St Joseph’s school this week for a blessing at their ground […]

‘Safeguarding is everybody’s right, Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility’ The Church has a responsibility to ensure all those who undertake work in the name of the Church are adequately trained in safeguarding matters. The Catholic Trust for England and Wales has purchased a package of e-learning programmes available to ALL members of the Catholic community FREE […]

A letter of thanks from Sophie and Mike Sullivan to all who supported the ‘ Bricks and Hymn Books’ campaign in Zimbabwe… Dear Parishioners, It has been so lovely to be in your midst again, after three years away, to celebrate Holy Mass with you and to catch up on friendships which we still hold […]

Many thanks for your tremendous support for the Winter Night Shelter. The beneficiary of the 2020 Penny Collection will be the MEDAILLE TRUST. This is a charity with strong Catholic roots and connections which works to support victims of modern slavery, mainly young women who have been trafficked to work in, for example, nail bars. […]

Sadly, this Christmas issue will be the final printed edition. A ‘Huge Thank you’ to Astrid, our Editor for the sheer amount of time, energy and devotion she has spent over the years to create a really interesting read and also thank you to everyone who has been a regular contributor. On sale now at […]

Fancy giving free money to charity?! If you intend buying Christmas presents online or actually do any other internet shopping (even your weekly shop) perhaps you might consider using ‘The Giving Machine’ website. If you create an account, which is free, and then access retailers via The Giving Machine page a donation will be given […]

This week, following a recent health and safety inspection, work has been carried out to repair the much worn stone steps to the side entrance of the Church porch. A significant ‘dip’ had evolved owing to the sheer number of’ faithful footsteps’ welcomed over the threshold during the past 119 years, eventually making the tread […]

THIS SUNDAY IS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY and the 11am Mass at St Joseph’s will be a solemn requiem for the fallen. At Much Hadham there will be an ecumenical service at their War memorial in the village and at Sawbridgeworth there will be an ecumenical Service at their War memorial near Great St Mary’s. The Catholic […]

Many thanks to Peter Kinsella who kindly sent in this photograph and article to share with the parish.. This photograph was taken in Liverpool recently, when the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur celebrated the founding of their order in Belgium in 1819. It is well known that in 1896, five of the Sisters arrived […]

..that since 3/6/2015 until 25/09/2019 our Church Live stream at St Joseph’s has attracted 367,670 Viewers from all over the world , the total viewing time being 152,450 hours !!

We are nearly there ! The painting has now started outside of the Lady Chapel and already there is a vast improvement just by looking at the preparation done so far which has covered over the ‘mouldy off white, with a hint of green’peeling layers of previous paintwork!  

We were successful in receiving a grant from the British Heart Foundation, as well as receiving kind donations from our Parishioners to purchase a ‘ Public Access defibrillator’ which is now kept in an unlocked  heated, lit cabinet being accessible 24/7  in the exterior alcove, near to our notice board at St Joseph and the […]

Work continues on the Sanctuary area of St Joseph and the English Martyrs The carpet has been removed and the steps are being prepared ready to receive a marble inlay which will coordinate with the Altar and Baldachino     Photos taken by DJ Our temporary Altar whilst the work continues…   The finished marble […]

Fr Peter writes: I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone, first once again for your kindness and prayers after my Heart attack and now, especially, for your continued kindness and generosity, in celebrating my Silver Jubilee with me. The good Lord seemed to have sent the rain, but what a wonderful spirit of […]

Thank you VERY much indeed to everyone who helped and gave their time and talents to make Fr Peter’s Silver Jubilee Outdoor Mass really special on Sunday. It was great to see so many people who came from Fr Peter’s previous parishes as well as our regular parishioners but also those who were brand new […]

Photo of Sr Angela with Karin Good evening people of God,  I  have been thinking of you.  Yes, we are now in the second term.   About the borehole – we were advised to wait until July and August when it will be completely dry.  I hope all those who contributed towards this project will […]

Are you interested in social outreach? Caritas Westminster, the Diocesan social action agency, is looking for Caritas Representatives to help record local poverty and social exclusion projects across different areas of the Diocese. They would also work closely with the Caritas development workers to help respond to those in need in the local area. If […]

Retrouvaille is a program for married couples that feel bored, disillusioned, frustrated, or angry in their marriage. Some experience coldness. Others experience conflict in their relationship. Most don’t know how to change the situation or even communicate with their spouse about it. This programme has helped 6,000 couples who were experiencing difficulties in their marriage […]

FR PETER WRITES: Dear Parishioners, I cannot tell you how much I have appreciated all your good wishes, kind thoughts and heartfelt prayers for me over these last few weeks. They’ve been a great source of reassurance to me. The truth is I don’t feel “grown up” enough to have had a heart attack!! I […]

Parishioners will be aware from the secular and Catholic media and press that recently Pope Francis has held a summit on child protection and clerical abuse and has called on Catholics around the world to work together to erase “this abominable crime from the face of the earth”. The Catholic Church in England and Wales […]

‘The start of lent and another collaborative project between the Tourist board and the SPA club . The monthly theme of Trails and walks ties in with the start of lent . A chance to reflect on nature and what god has created for us .The work on display is energised and gentle at the […]

Members of our Senior Parish Art Group led by Monica Jacobs have started 2019 off by providing some beautiful art work which is  now on display in the window of the Bishop’s Stortford Tourist Information Office. Be sure to go and have a look ! Also visit the SPA Group Parish web page to see […]

The Stone is being cleaned by hand – just look at the difference in colour already!                                                                               […]

For several years St. Joseph’s has supported overseas projects but this year we are “going local”, and donating proceeds of the Penny Collection to the Winter Night Shelter at Holy Trinity Church. Whilst now well established as an overnight shelter they hope also to be able to offer daytime activity and practical help and advice. […]

Fr Carlos.. preparing the entrance to St Joseph’s Church with a  Christmas garland.. with a little help from our two visiting Seminarians, Johannes and Simon from Germany

Eight men from what was then our young and small Parish, died in WWI and their names are commemorated in an illuminated manuscript that hangs next to the Sacristy door. It records that the beautiful wooden Choir Stalls in the Sanctuary were installed in their memory. St Joseph’s will be participating in the “There but […]

   Fabulous Art work created by members of the  ‘ Senior Parish Art’ group were amongst those displayed in the window of the Tourist information office in Bishop’s Stortford this week.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2018 CENTENARY OF THE END OF WWI This year sees the centenary of the end of WWI, and there will be special events to mark this centenary across the country. Eight men from what was then our young and small Parish, died in WWI and their names are commemorated in an illuminated manuscript […]