ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 52 No: 42
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: 15 November 2020
THIRTY-THIRD 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 have managed quite well in lockdown so far, so let’s hope we can continue for the next couple of weeks. Because of my hospital appointments (this coming Friday for a Covid test and next Monday 23 November for the urological procedure itself) I have to isolate myself next weekend. This means I can still say the Masses – without congregations – and arrange the morning openings, but the afternoon opening of the church for private prayer with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will not take place. I am really sorry about this, but I hope people will understand. It’s just the one weekend, from Friday to Monday, and we shall return to the ordinary lockdown mode on Tuesday 24 November. Thanks for your patience.
The collection for the Sick and Retired Priests’ Fund reached a total of £220 last weekend, despite the lack of congregation. Many thanks
to those who donated. There are, however, some envelopes on the table in the cloister for anyone who wishes to use them and there is a QR code on the envelopes and on the posters, which would allow you to donate online. These envelopes can be posted through the presbytery letter box and if they run out you can use any envelope. Just write Sick and Retired Priests on the front. It’s a very important collection, since there are many elderly priests to look after, so do give what you can.
I celebrated Mass for Remembrance Sunday last week and I said the prayers at the War Memorial and put a new wreath there. Although nobody else was there, it was still a moving moment and the two minute silence was just as powerful as it always is. We shall continue to remember those who died and pray for peace in the future.
There is still no news to report about arrangements for Christmas and we shall have to wait until the Government decides what will be permitted before we can sort out the details. I suspect, though, that there will still be restricted numbers for Mass, so many people could be disappointed. We always have such large congregations at this time of the year and there is just not the seating available. There is also the problem of the music and singing which may also be restricted. And we shall have to hope that people will be allowed to erect our crib which is such a feature of our Christmas celebrations. I have so far pencilled in my diary 7pm on Wednesday 16 December for the putting up of the crib, but things may change as we get closer to the time. Watch this space.
On the reverse of this sheet you will find a notice about the purchase of Christmas trees. This scheme has been running very successfully for a few years now and I commend it to you.
I sometimes feel that we are only just keeping our heads above water – let’s all work together so that the next few weeks are a success!
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION NOVEMBER:
Artificial Intelligence:
We pray that the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may always serve humankind.
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.
ORDER YOUR FRESH CHRISTMAS TREE
As in Previous years, The friends of St Joseph (School PTA) are offering you the chance to pre order your fresh Christmas tree at a great price, from a local ecologically managed plantation near Watton at Stone. The order forms are on the table in the cloister (next to the newsletters).
MASS ONLINE
Private Masses will continue to be offered and several parishes in the diocese live-stream them at Church Services TV. Find a weekly schedule of Masses here. http://www.churchservices.tv
CHRISTMAS STALL selling Advent calendars, candles etc…. Please see Mrs. Sue Walker who will be in the church hall each weekday from 7.30am until 12noon.
PRAYERS FOR HOME – NOVEMBER #1
Copies available with the newsletters or online.
During lockdown there are no public Masses.
Masses, however, will be celebrated at:
7.30am weekdays
6.00pm Saturdays
10.30am Sundays
Church opening times for individual prayer:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 9.30am – 11am
and 4.30pm – 5.30pm (with Exposition)
Thursday: church remains closed
Sunday: 2.30pm – 6.00pm (with Exposition)
THE SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION would like to invite you to join a free online quiz on Saturday 28th November. The quiz will be live on YouTube and questions will be presented by the teachers. The YouTube channel can be found by following this link:
tinyurl.com/JHNA-Youtube
The quiz will go live at 8pm on 28th November with questions starting at 8.15pm. Everyone is welcome so please share the details and invite your family and friends.
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: Holy Souls
Sunday: THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
10.30am: George Robert Emmett (RIP)
Monday: St Edmund of Abingdon
7.30am: Harry Boyle (RIP)
Tuesday:
7.30am: Holy Souls
Wednesday: Dedication of the Basilicas Ss Peter & Paul
7.30am: Mary Deighton (RIP) & Family (Ints)
Thursday:
7.30am: Holy Souls
Friday:
7.30am: –
Saturday:
6.00pm: Holy Souls