ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 53 No: 17
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: 2 May 2021
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
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
Many thanks for your generosity to the Priest Training Fund collection last weekend. It is not yet counted, so it is not too late to make a donation, if you wish. There are some envelopes still available on the chest at the back of the church; otherwise you can give your contribution directly to me or make a donation via www.rcdow.org.uk/donations I shall let you know the total next week, I hope.
The Bishops of England and Wales recently had a plenary meeting and among other things discussed what might happen after the Covid restrictions are lifted next month. They recognize that things can hardly return to how they were overnight: people have been away from public Mass for a year or more and many of us have lost the habit of regular attendance at Sunday Mass. Some people are anxious about returning to Church; some are fearful about vaccinations; others may just wait and see how it all goes before committing themselves. All of these things are entirely understandable. The bishops have issued a reflection on these matters, entitled “The Day of the Lord” and there are some copies of the letter on the table in the cloister. Please take one if you wish. I must say that I am looking forward enormously to 21 June when we hope that most, if not all, restrictions will be lifted. It has been a really difficult time for so many, and we can see on the news just how dreadful the situation is for so many people round the world. Let us keep them in our prayers.
If you are somebody who has reservations about the vaccination programme, you might be interested in a webinar, the details of which are on the other side of this sheet and on a poster outside the church. It has been arranged to give people information about vaccination and will involve medical experts, several local authorities (including Hertfordshire County Council) and the dioceses of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster. It can be seen on Saturday 15 May from 10am to 11.30am.
Next week, on Thursday 13 May, we celebrate Ascension Day. Mass will be at 10.00am and there will be an evening Mass at 8pm. The Feast of the Ascension marks the beginning of the great Novena of Preparation for Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit. I shall give further details of this in next week’s newsletter.
I have enjoyed the relaxation of restrictions since 12 April. It has been wonderful to be able to go into shops and even to freeze outside pubs and restaurants, while consuming what they have to offer. The next big date on the road to freedom is 17 May, when we can finally meet inside. Let’s not spoil that possibility by any flagrant breaches of the rules. We still need to keep distance and we still need to wear masks, when required. It has been a long process – let’s not make a mess of it at the last minute.
As always, keep safe; keep smiling; keep going.
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION MAY
The World of Finance
Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.
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.
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.
A DECADE OF THE ROSARY WILL BE SAID AFTER EACH WEEKDAY MASS IN MAY.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS
on Tuesdays 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.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPE BOXES
These are ready for collection. Please come to the Presbytery to collect your boxes.
A COVID-19 VACCINE CONFIDENCE WEBINAR has been organized for the of Dioceses of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster, with the cooperation of Hertfordshire County Council and Hammersmith & Fulham Council, and other local authorities. It will take place on Saturday 15th May 2021 from 10am to 11.30am and will feature a panel of eminent medical experts led by Prof Kevin Fenton, Regional Director of Public Health London. The panel will share the latest information on COVID-19 vaccination. There will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions anonymously. To join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/99627319556 Passcode: 546617
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MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday: Easter Feria
6.00pm: 6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: Fifth Sunday of Easter
10.30am:
6.00pm: Kathleen Fraser (RIP)
Monday: SS Philip and James
10.00am: Nellie Inguillo (RIP Anni)
Tuesday: The English Martyrs
10.00am:
Wednesday: Easter Feria
10.00am: Peter McHale (RIP)
Thursday:
CHURCH IS CLOSED
Friday: Easter Feria
10.00am: Marian Breenan (RIP)
Saturday: Easter Feria
10.00am:
6.00pm: People of the Parish
RECENTLY DECEASED:
George Sandell
May he rest in eternal peace.