ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 53 No: 24
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 June 2021
TWELFTH 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
As I wrote in the newsletter last week, restrictions are not going to end just yet, so I can’t give you the details that I was hoping to give. It shouldn’t be too long now, but for the moment we shall continue with our current arrangements and times of Masses and look forward to 19 July, when further easing of restrictions should come into force. I had to go into London on Thursday and it was very noticeable that there were many more people about in the streets and on public transport. It certainly made me feel that there is an end in sight.
The continued restrictions mean that we shall have to keep to a maximum of 30 people for baptisms over the next few weeks. I hope that this will not cause too much of a problem for people who have already booked. We certainly do have a good number of baptisms scheduled for the next few weeks and I hope that they will all go well.
In last week’s newsletter I also expressed the hope that people would start returning to Mass on Sundays. While the Sunday obligation is suspended (as it still is) many people have watched Masses online and have not come to the church in person. This is all entirely understandable, but it might take a while for people to get back into the habit of attending Sunday Mass. Rather than think of it as an obligation to be fulfilled, can we perhaps think of it as a gracious invitation to be with the Lord and a privilege to which our baptism entitles us? So many Catholics round the world are unable to attend Mass because of a lack of priests or lack of any possible transportation. We, on the other hand have a choice of Masses every week in this or other local parishes. All I can say is that it would be great to welcome you back and begin again to worship the Lord together in His Holy Church.
On another note entirely, our finances need a bit of support at the moment. People have not been coming, so they have not been contributing as regularly as they used to, so any top-ups would be gratefully accepted. If you normally contribute through the Planned Giving envelopes, boxes of envelopes are in the Parish Office and can be collected either after Mass or at an arranged time. Otherwise, I know that a number of people have set up Direct Debits or Standing Orders through their banks. This is an easier way to contribute and I thank all those who have done this very sincerely.
Monday 21 June is the longest day of the year for sunlight. This year it could be very damp as well, but I am sure we shall manage, whatever is thrown at us. There are also a number of feasts to be celebrated: St Thomas More and St John Fisher (22/6), the Birth of John the Baptist (24/6), St Peter and St Paul (29/6), so there is quite enough to keep us busy. As always: keep safe; keep smiling; keep going!
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.
YOUR CHURCH IS IN NEED OF MORE PEOPLE TO HELP KEEP IT CLEAN. If you are able to help, please contact Sheila Queally on 01992 586436
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.
COLLECTION: Many thanks for your contributions last weekend: £590.27
Recently Baptised:
Lois Theresa Neal
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: Michael & Felicity Milbourn (Ints)
Sunday: TWELTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
10.30am: George Robert Emmett (RIP)
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Monday: St Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
10.00am: Jimmy Lee (RIP)
Tuesday: SS JOHN FISHER, THOMAS MORE, Martyrs
10.00am: Harry Boyle (RIP Anni)
Wednesday: St Etheldreda
10.00am: Jim Ferguson (Ints)
Thursday: THE NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
7.30am:
CHURCH CLOSED
Friday:
10.00am: Margery Rossi (RIP)
Saturday:
10.00am: Private Intention
6.00pm: People of the Parish
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Eda Wdowycia
May she rest in eternal peace.