ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 53 No: 23
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: 13 June 2021
ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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
We are approaching that time of the year when the light seems to last for ever and Midsummer is upon us. The flowers are blooming; the birds are singing and there is much sunlight to cheer us. We may even be coming close to the ending (or at least the lessening) of restrictions, although I suspect that they will last a couple of weeks more. We shall need to hear the government’s announcements and then see what that means for us in the church. It would be nice to get back to un-stewarded Masses without booking places but with Mass Books, Hymn Books and singing. However, this may be a gradual process and we shall probably need to be patient.
I am just hoping and praying that people will come back to Mass, especially on Sundays. I was reading a document over the past week which included this rather worrying conversation: a man was talking to his Parish Priest and he said “Father, until lockdown I never missed Mass, but now, after all these months, I don’t miss Mass at all – I just don’t go.” There are probably many people in that man’s situation, but somehow or other we must try and recover our practice of attending Sunday Mass in particular. There is no substitute for Sunday Mass. Live streaming has allowed people to “attend” Mass all over the world, but that shouldn’t stop us from joining our own parish congregation as it celebrates the wonder of the Paschal Mystery week in and week out. Children need to be helped to participate in the glories of the liturgy, and the extraordinary miracle of the Lord’s presence among us, made real at Mass, must be experienced by everyone as regularly as possible. We often talk about the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, but perhaps we should think of it as an invitation or a privilege. We shall hear soon about the practicalities of any new arrangements and we shall comply with them as fully as we can.
I mentioned last week that I was looking for a priest to come and supply in Hertford while I am away on my summer break. Happily, I can now report that Fr Michael Doyle, who is on the staff of Allen Hall Seminary will come and live in Hertford for the time when I am away from 16 August until 2 September. I am sure you will make him very welcome, as you always do. He is certainly looking forward to coming to Hertford and I am very grateful to him for agreeing to do so.
We are now in the final few weeks of the school year and it might be a good thing to keep all schools and education generally in our thoughts and prayers. All schools have had to adapt and introduce all kinds of new ways of working, teaching and learning; children have been home schooled online and are now in the midst of a totally different exam season; university students have hardly been on campus at all. They need our support and prayers. May the Lord be with them.
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION JUNE
The Beauty of Marriage
Let us pray for young people who are preparing for marriage with the support of a Christian community: may they grow in love, with generosity, faithfulness and patience.
IF YOU GO IN TO HOSPITAL: Catholics in hospital are unlikely to receive an automatic visit from the Catholic Chaplain. If someone is sick in hospital, please let us know here at the Presbytery, and/or ask the staff on the ward, so that your loved one can be visited whilst in hospital, and receive Holy Communion and any other Sacraments from the Chaplain.
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.
IF YOU ARE A GIFT AIDER AND YOU STOP PAYING TAX OR CHANGE ADDRESS
you must let the parish office know.
Thank you.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS
Each Tuesday at 4pm in the church hall. If you haven’t already, please can you bring £8 per child to cover the cost of their book. Thank you.
THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH
Starting on Friday 16 July at 1pm in the church hall. Lunches cost £15 for a three course meal, glass of wine, coffee and chocolates.
If you would like to come along please sign the board on the table in the cloister. Menu to follow.
BABY CLOTHES: We are in urgent need of baby clothes from birth to 3 years, boys and girls. Please bring them to Sue Walker at the church hall Monday – Friday 8am – 12 noon. Thank you.
FOOD BANK
We are in desperate need of food for the foodbank. Items can be dropped off at the church hall with Mrs. Sue Walker any weekday morning. Don’t forget that foodbanks also accept essential non-food items such as toiletries and hygiene products, helping people in crisis to maintain dignity.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPE BOXES
These are ready for collection. Please come to the Presbytery to collect your box.
Recently Married:
Siobhan & Adrian McManus
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
10.30am:
6.00pm: Mary & John Hanley (Wedding Anni Ints)
Monday:
10.00am:
Tuesday:
10.00am: Rosemary Hope (RIP)
Wednesday:
10.00am: Philomena Purcell (RIP)
Thursday:
7.30am:
CHURCH CLOSED
Friday:
10.00am:
Saturday:
10.00am:
6.00pm: Michael & Felicity Milbourn (Ints)
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Eda Wdowycia
May she rest in eternal peace.