ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 52 No: 47
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: 20 December 2020/3 January 2021
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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
This two week newsletter will be the last of 2020 and the first of 2021. Normally, we would be arranging all sorts of Christmas events and celebrations, but this year we are having to cope with all the restrictions of the Tier System and may well be struggling to understand what is permitted and what is not. Let us pray for each other at this hugely difficult time and try to look out for others who may well be on their own.
People have been coming to Mass in reasonable numbers over the last couple of weeks and this week we have the Christmas services themselves. As we said last week, all spaces are booked for theses services, but if you have booked and can no longer attend the Mass, please let the parish secretary know. This can be done either by email or by phone (07900 538114), but please try and phone during office hours. I know that some, perhaps many, people will be disappointed that they can’t attend a Christmas Mass, but you might attend one during the Christmas Octave or even up to the Epiphany on 6 January.
We need to do all we can to stay safe over this period, so please be aware of social distancing at any Mass you attend. And keep an eye out for any cleaning you may help with. We need to sanitise the benches where people have been sitting after each Mass and also hoover the floor. Some extra help may be needed in addition to the stewards. One of the safety recommendations is that there should be no congregational singing inside the church. There will be some choir members at the 9pm Mass on Christmas Eve who will sing in the choir loft, but please don’t be tempted to join in. We shall have some socially distanced carols before and after that Mass but we shall have that outside. We hope also to do something similar outside for the 10.30 Mass on Christmas Day, although this will depend on the number of singers available.
Masses will continue to be said at 10.00am during the week, 10am and 6pm on Saturday and 10.30 and 6 on Sunday. The church will remain closed on Thursdays. The 10.00am on St Stephen’s Day will be for the Altar Servers’ intentions and will involve some enrolments into the Guild of St Stephen and some presentations. They do a great job and it is good to acknowledge what they do.
Should you wish to make any contribution to the Christmas Offerings there will be a retiring collection after the Masses. If you use the envelopes please continue to do so and if you make a “catch up” contribution, please make sure that you include the number of your envelope if you normally use them. Let me wish you all the blessings and joys of the Christmas Feast. It will be different this year, but we have the vaccine to look forward to, so we need to keep vigilant and hopeful. Happy Christmas and a Good New Year to you all!
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION DECEMBER:
For a Life of Prayer
We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.
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.
THANK YOU to those who helped put up the crib. Donations for CRIB can be made online at:
www: cathchild.org.uk/crib or put in the wooden box on the chest at the back of the church.
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
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10.30am: Paddy, Mary & Michael Dunn (RIP)
6.00pm: Mary O’Brien (RIP Anni)
Monday:
10.00am: Mary & John Barbour (RIP)
Tuesday:
10.00am: Margery Rossi (RIP Anni)
Wednesday:
10.00am:
Thursday:
4.00pm: Robert McComb (RIP)
6.00pm: Bob Chanin (RIP)
9.00pm: People of the Parish
Friday: Nativity of the Lord
8.30am: Homeless & those who work with them
10.30am: George Robert Emmett (RIP)
Saturday: St Stephen’s Day
10.00am: Altar Servers (Ints)
6.00pm: Holy Family
Thanksgiving for Favours Received
Sunday: Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
10.30am: Margaret &John McLoughlin (RIP)
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Monday 28th: Holy Innocents
10.00am: Marion Campbell (RIP)
Tuesday: St Thomas Becket
10.00am: Emily Dorsett (RIP)
Wednesday: 6th Day of the Octave of Christmas
10.00am: Joyce Pearson (RIP Anni)
Thursday: 7th Day of the Octave of Christmas
7.30am: Private Intention
Friday 1st January: Solemnity of Mary, The holy Mother of God
10.00am: Wilson & Wright Families (Ints)
Saturday: 2nd Sunday of the Nativity
10.00am: Ted O’Sullivan (RIP)
6.00pm: Private Intention
Sunday: 2nd Sunday of the Nativity
10.30am: Private Intention
6.00pm: Private Intention
Monday: 10.00am: Tony Ferrer-Martinez (RIP)
Tuesday: 10.00am: Private Intention
Wednesday: Epiphany of the Lord
10.00am: Private Intention
Thursday: 7.30am: Private Intention
Friday: 10.00am: Private Intention
Saturday:
10.00am: Mollie Phipps (RIP)
6.00pm: Private Intention