ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 54 No: 3
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION & SAINT JOSEPH
23 ST JOHN’S STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1RX
Email: hertford@rcdow.org.uk
Parish Priest: Canon Terence Phipps Tel: 01992 582109
DATE: 23 January 2022
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
Many thanks to the three couples who came for the marriage preparation session last Monday. Things seemed to go well and I look forward to the next two sessions on 21 February and 21 March.
This Monday, 24 January, we have the first session of the Confirmation Preparation Course for young people. This has been run for the last few years by Mrs Eileen Silcock and I would like to thank her for all the hard work she put into her teaching and the excellent response she got from the young people. She can no longer continue with this work because of a very busy schedule and so for this year I shall run the course myself with the able assistance of Peter Boyle. So far 27 young people have asked to join the group, so I’m afraid the small hall would be too small to accommodate them all safely. We shall therefore have to do the sessions in the church, since the large hall is in use on Monday evenings. This will be a change from what we have been used to doing, but I am sure it can work well. After consultation with Bishop Paul McAleenan, we have fixed the date of the ceremony for 7pm on Thursday 19 May. It is always very difficult to coordinate dates, but I hope the notice given will allow everyone to attend.
Thanks, too, to all who participated in the recent online survey in preparation for the Synod in 2023. There is a notice about it on the back of this newsletter, but I am delighted that 77 people participated and I thank Michael Milbourn and his grandson Harry for all their work in devising the survey and getting it up and running.
Last weekend’s White Flower Appeal for the work of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) raised the very creditable total of £502.44, so thank you for your generous response. As I mentioned also last week, there is a box marked Crib Offerings on the chest at the back. Please give what you can for the work of the Catholic Children’s (Westminster) which does great work for families in difficulty. The crib will remain in the church until the Feast of Candlemas (2 February).
We hear from the Government that the wearing of masks will no longer be mandatory in shops from this coming Thursday. We are, however, still encouraged to wear them in indoor spaces where people gather together, such as public transport. I take this as an encouragement to wear masks in church for the time being, so I would appeal to you to do so. If the Covid numbers continue to come down, then it may not be long before we can leave them off, but there is still room for caution in these matters.
As we begin our semi-continuous reading of the Gospel of Luke this weekend, keep smiling, keep safe and keep going!
God bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION FOR JANUARY 2022FOR TRUE HUMAN FRATERNITY
We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution: may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.
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.
SYNODALITY SURVEY: Thanks to all of those who participated in the online survey. We had a total of 77 responses so we hope that the results will provide a good and balanced idea of the views of parishioners on the various subjects that the survey covered. These results will be included in our submission to the diocese, along with the input obtained through the meetings held in December and the written contributions. If you are reading the online version of this newsletter, you will see a copy of the report attached as a pdf document. If you are unable to access the report yourselves, perhaps you might ask a friend to help you to obtain a printed copy?
PARISH LIBRARY: The parish library situated in the church hall will be closed at the end of January. If you would like any of the books, please help yourself.
‘The God Who Speaks’ Scripture Festival – St Alban’s Cathedral Thursday 3rd – Saturday 5th February 2022. From 10:00am to 4:00pm we will be offering different ways of exploring the Scriptures in prayer, through creative activities and in Bible study. Join us for a joyful and profound experience. Come and join the pilgrimage. Explore the ‘tents of encounter with the Word’, participate in the times of prayer and reflection, enjoy family friendly activities and much more. Find out what’s on and how your parish can be involved at www.rcdow.org.uk/scripturefestival
Saturday. 5th February – Why not come along to St Albans Cathedral to watch Steve Murray – Hanson from Behold Ministry bring familiar parables and scripture narratives to life through mime. The event is free but would recommend you book to ensure your place. For more information or to book please visit: https://rcdow.org.uk/scripturefestival/whats-on/ Be part of the adventure Find us on Facebook: @TheGodWhoSpeaksScriptureFestival and Instagram: @ScriptureFestival
THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH: Friday 18 February at 12.45pm in the church hall. Lunches cost £15 for a three course meal, glass of wine, coffee and chocolates. Please call Sue on 07711 584 517.
MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP on Fridays at 9.30-11.00am. All are welcome.
ROSARY GROUP: Come and join us in the church on Tuesday evenings at 7pm for recital of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
8.30am: Sr Loretta Dooley (Ints)
10.30am: George Robert Emmett (RIP)
6.00pm: Josephine Wright (Ints)
Monday: St Francis de Sales
10.00am: Margaret Hogg (RIP)
Tuesday: The Conversion of St Paul the Apostle
10.00am: Christian Unity
Wednesday: Ss Timothy & Titus
10.00am: Chris Cusack (RIP)
Thursday:
CHURCH CLOSED
Friday: St Thomas Aquinas
12.15pm: Kevin & Dorothy Mullen (RIP)
Saturday:
11.00am: Linda Radford (RIP)
6.00pm: Norene Hristov (Ints)
PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR THOSE WHO RECENTLY DECEASED:
Margaret Hogg, David Ellam,
Peter Bruno