ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 53 No: 1
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION & SAINT JOSEPH
23 ST JOHN’S STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1RX
https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/hertford
Email: hertford@rcdow.org.uk
Parish Priest: Canon Terence Phipps Tel: 01992 582109
DATE: 10 January 2021
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
The page numbers for the prayers for this Sunday’s Mass are at the front of The Parish Mass Book. Please note that there is a Loop system in the Church.
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THE VIEW FROM THE PRESBYTERY
First of all, let me properly wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year 2021. We have been through a year that none of us wishes to see again, so let us hope and pray that despite the many difficulties there are at the moment and despite the continued lockdown restrictions, there is still the possibility of the vaccination programme, which will gradually begin to improve our situation. It will, of course, take quite a time, and I really wonder whether we shall be able to celebrate Holy Week and Easter normally. However, we live in hope and we must surely expect a gradual improvement in our situation.
I definitely want to thank all those people who had a hand in making our Christmas celebrations in church go so well, and there are many of them: those who put up our marvellous crib, those who arranged the flowers and Christmas trees, the choir and organists, the altar servers, the readers and ministers of the Eucharist, the stewards who did (and continue to do) such a great job of organising and cleaning, and also our Parish Secretary, Trish Newland, who did (and still does) a wonderful job of organizing and overseeing the booking of places for Mass. In the end, the numbers of people at Mass were not as great as we might have expected, since people seem to have decided at the last minute that they felt uneasy about attending the church, but this still involved a great deal of work and, as I say, I am really grateful to all of these Parish volunteers, who make such a difference to our celebrations.
I would also like to thank very sincerely all those who sent me cards and presents, both for my birthday and for Christmas. People were incredibly generous and I had (and still have) a great pile of lovely things to consume and to use. People were generous too in their Christmas offerings and the collection on the day and contributions which were posted through the presbytery letter box amounted to £1397.66. One problem has begun to emerge over the past couple of months, namely that we are short of a few money counters. This is not an onerous job and you don’t have to do it very often, but if you are interested, please either give me or post through the presbytery a note with your name, telephone number and email address. Many thanks to anyone who volunteers.
As I’m sure you are all aware the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates three events: the visit of the Magi, the Baptism of the Lord and the miracle changing water into wine at Cana. Today, therefore we are still in Epiphany mode, so I hope we can enjoy this moment before plunging back into Ordinary Time on Monday. It is our custom here to keep the crib up until the Feast of Candlemas on 2 February, so there is a bit of time still left to enjoy it. Let me also wish you all the best in the current lockdown period. It is a terrible thing that we are living through. Let us support each other in prayer and in practical help and hope that we may be more normal soon.
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION JANUARY:
Human Fraternity
May the Lord give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other religions, praying for one another, open to all.
ONLINE DONATIONS TO OUR CHURCH:
Westminster Roman Catholic Diocese Trustee Hertford as the account name.
Account number 21263242
Sort code: 40-05-20
If you would like to use STANDING ORDER to donate your weekly/monthly offering, the forms are available on the website to download.
IF YOU WRITE A CHEQUE TO THE PARISH please can you make payable to WRCDT Hertford. Thank you.
ST JOSEPH’S deadline for applications for reception class is 15th January.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH CAFOD AS A VOLUNTEER.
CAFOD Westminster is looking for volunteers, who care about global poverty, to help us inspire others to act here, so we can tackle poverty and injustice across the developing world. Are you a people-person who would relish involving and encouraging others? Are you a good communicator who would enjoy speaking about our work in a Parish or School? Please get in touch with us on westminster@cafod.org.uk or 020 8449-6970 to find out more and book a place on one of our CAFOD online information sessions.
THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: Vinnie Packs contain essential items i.e. thermal hat, gloves & socks. The contents of each Vinnie Pack cost around £3.50 and donations to sponsor packs would be most welcome. Donations can be transferred to SVP Vinnie Packs, a/c 46088237 sort code 60-60-04 or cheques made out to SVP can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London, SW1P 9EZ
MISSIO RED BOXES
TOTAL RAISED £255.91
THANK YOU!
RETROUVAILLE: COVID 19 – A VERY CHALLENGING TIME FOR MANY MARRIAGES. So much uncertainty around, health, income, employment, vulnerable family members, children, housing. Different ways of seeing things, coping with change, managing fears can be a source of conflict and stress. It can be difficult to talk, to listen to support and comfort when there is so much uncertainty. Being together all the time, brings even more challenges. You just can’t cope; would be better apart you wonder. Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples, it brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage ….and you don’t need to leave home, it comes to you! For confidential information about Retrouvaille’, or to register for the next programme, a Virtual weekend commencing on 25th- 28th February 2021 Call or text 0788 7296983 or 0797 3338044
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: Private Intention
Sunday: Baptism of the Lord
10.30am:
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Monday:
10.00am:
Tuesday:
10.00am: Danny Higgins (RIP Anni)
Wednesday:
10.00am:
Thursday:
7.30am: Danny Higgins (RIP Anni)
Friday:
10.00am:
Saturday:
10.00am: Maureen O’Brien (RIP)
6.00pm: People of the Parish
RECENTLY DECEASED: Raymond Firth
May he rest in eternal peace.