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 Tel: 01992 582109
Parish Priest: Monsignor Séamus O’Boyle
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 20th / 21st January 2024
Prayers & Readings for this Sunday’s Mass can be found on p. 129 in the Parish Mass Book.
Please note that there is a Loop system in the Church.
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View from the Presbytery
You will recall that some time before Christmas the Cardinal asked us to hold a collection after Christmas in response to the appeal from the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem for support especially for those in Gaza. The Cardinal wrote this letter to all the Priests of the Diocese this week:
‘In the last few days I have heard directly, via Zoom, from the Parish Priest of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City and from the CEO of the Latin Patriarchate. The situation they face is grave and most demanding. We were told that there are still 600 people sheltering and being cared for in the parish compound, together with over 50 seriously disabled and vulnerable children. Water and food can be bought in the local markets at much inflated prices. With the damage inflicted on this site some time ago now, cooking hot meals is only possible three times a week. The parish is also providing for 200 people in the Orthodox property as well as for local Muslim neighbours. The situation in the West Bank is also grave with more than 100,000 families losing income because of various factors, as well as the absence of all visitors and pilgrims. The Patriarchate is able to provide assistance. It can make funding directly available to the parish leadership and is providing food etc. to many in the West Bank.
I hope we can respond to this direct appeal from the Latin Patriarch and the work which he is able to effect.
+Cardinal Vincent Nichols’
We will take up a special collection for the Latin Patriarchate at the Masses over the weekend of 3rd/4th February.
Fr Séamus
DON’T FORGET that Fr Terry will be here next Sunday, 28th January, for the belated celebration of his 40th Anniversary of Ordination and also his Farewell to the Parish. He will be saying the 10.30am Mass and there will be a reception in the hall and marquee(!) afterwards with food and drink. The marquee will take up a lot of space in the car park – so you will need to park elsewhere.
MISSIO RED BOXES: Would all parishioners in possession of red Missio boxes please return them as soon as possible to the sacristy?
Once all boxes have been handed in and contributions counted, the empty boxes will be placed with names attached on the table in the cloister to be picked up and used for the 2024 process. Thank you. Peter Mahoney
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.
At the Lister & QE2 hospitals, the Chaplain is: John O’Neill 01438 314333
ROSARY GROUP: Come and join us in thechurch hall on Tuesday evenings at 7pm for recital of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
PRAYERS ASKED PLEASE –
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Elizabeth Barnes, Ursula Partner, Jan Kracinski, Stephen Carey, Norene Hristov, Paul Cox, Malcolm Gilbert, Enzo Andrean, Miriam Matthews, Ruth Featherstone, Stephen Judd, Mary Ward, John Sweeney, Pam Gates, Juliet Davis, Phyllis Read, Jo Black, Robbie Robinson, Fr Terry, Angela White, Manuel Lopez, Lyn Carroll, Linda Abeysundera.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY: John Derek Everett, Deacon Anthony Clark, Fr. Stuart Gullan-Steel. May they rest in peace and rise in glory
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR JANUARY
FOR THE GIFT OF DIVERSITY IN THE CHURCH
Let us pray that the Spirit help us recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.
MASS INTENTIONS:
Saturday 20th January
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday 21st January III Ordinary Time
8.30am: Rosario Schillaci RIP
10.30am: Miriam Matthews (Int.)
Monday 22nd January
10.00am: Noel & Colette
McKiernan RIP
Tuesday 23rd January
12.15pm: John Griffin RIP
Wednesday 24th January
NO MASS
Thursday 25th January
CHURCH CLOSED
Friday 26th January
12.15pm: Mrs. Pat White RIP
6.00pm: Brian & Kathleen
Parkhouse RIP & George McKenna RIP
Confessions
Saturday: 5.15-5.45pm