ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 53 No: 42
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION & SAINT JOSEPH
23 ST JOHN’S STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1RX
Email: hertford@rcdow.org.uk
Parish Priest: Canon Terence Phipps Tel: 01992 582109
DATE: 14 November 2021
THIRTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
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.
Many thanks – as always – for your contributions to the Sick and Retired Priests’ Fund. It is still possible to make a contribution and there are still some envelopes on the chest at the back of the church. Please either give your donation directly to me or post it through the presbytery letter box. I hope I shall be able to give the final total next week. As I mentioned last week, there are more than 80 sick and retired priests in the diocese who receive help from this fund, so you can see how important it is. Please give what you can.
This weekend we celebrate Remembrance Sunday, and the national events will take place as usual with a few restrictions because of the pandemic. Here at St Joseph’s, there will be a Requiem Mass for the Fallen at 10.30 and after the Mass we shall gather in the cloister for prayers, the Last Post, silence and Reveille. You will see that the cloister is specially decorated this year with a great ceiling of poppies, which have been loaned to us by the Secret Knitters of Hertford. Quite a number of people have been to visit the cloister over the last couple of weeks, so it has clearly helped people focus their thoughts. Many thanks, once again, to those who put up the poppies.
I am writing this on Friday morning, so I can’t yet say that the birthday celebrations have gone well. However, I can say how grateful and touched I am that this should be taking place at all. You have all been very kind to me and I am sure the festivities will be thoroughly enjoyable. Our next social event is the Lobster Pot Lunch next Friday 19 November and then we have the Advent Lunch on Tuesday 30 November after the 12.15 Mass. Please sign the lists if you wish to come to either of these events.
Our next meeting about the preparation for the 2023 Synod will take place this coming Wednesday, 17 November, at 7pm in the hall and it would be good to hear people’s experiences during the lockdown and particularly to hear from people who do not come to church much and who would be prepared to say why. Don’t worry – there will be no interrogation or recrimination!
A number of people seem not to be wearing masks in church. Can I encourage you all to wear masks in church if you are not exempt and to think very hard before refusing to be vaccinated? All of us need to be safe.
I am getting a little anxious, too, about Christmas and all that needs to be done to prepare for the Feast. Next weekend we have the Feast of Christ the King and then we have the First Sunday of Advent on 28 November. Christmas Day is on a Saturday this year, which is quite an awkward day, since we shall have the Sunday immediately afterwards and then the Octave of Christmas. I am planning to have our usual celebration of New Year, with Mass, Te Deum and lunch in the Hall on 1 January. I shall try and get round to sorting out the Christmas timetable in this coming week. Let’s hope it all gets done!
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION NOVEMBER: People Who Suffer from Depression
We pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life
IF YOU GO IN TO HOSPITAL: 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.
MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP on Fridays at 9.30-11.00am. All are welcome.
THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH: Friday 19 November at 12.45pm in the church hall. Lunches cost £15 for a three course meal, glass of wine, coffee and chocolates. Please call Sue on 07711 584 517.
ROSARY GROUP: Come and join us in the church on Tuesday evenings at 7pm for recital of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
THE SVP are distributing 11,500 VINNIE PACKS containing cold weather essentials to the homeless this winter. Please could you consider sponsoring packs at a suggested donation of £3.70 per pack? Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP or by bank transfer to Nat West sort code 60-60-04, account no. 4608 8237. Thank you so much for your support.
CONFIRMATION PHOTOGRAPHS: Parents of the candidates – please check your emails for details on how to view and purchase the photos.
CHRISTMAS STALLS: During November we will be selling Advent Calendars, diaries and many other Christmas items. The stall will be held after the weekend Masses.
ADVENT LUNCH on Tuesday 30 November, in the church hall after the 12.15 Mass. If you would like to come along please sign the board on the table in the cloister.
RECENTLY DECEASED: Peggy Stevens, Mary Shevlane
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
8.30am: Holy Souls
10.30am: The Fallen
6.00pm:
Monday:
10.00am:Elizabeth Phipps (RIP)
Tuesday: St Edmund of Abingdon
12.15pm: Harry Boyle (RIP)
Wednesday:
10.00am: Holy Souls
Friday:
12.15pm: Kathy Hall (RIP)
Saturday:
6.00pm: Maurice & Nessan Leahy (RIP)
Confessions: 10-10.30am & 5-5.40pm
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 5pm and Benediction at 5.45pm