ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 53 No: 35
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: 26 September 2021 TWENTY-SIXTH 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 most of you will have noticed, we have now removed the white ribbons and yellow crosses from the benches, but we ask you to continue to wear face covering in church and to spread out as much as possible. You are asked to continue using the hand sanitisers at the door of the church and the church hall, and we have kept the arrows on the floor to remind people of the one-way system for communion. We shall still not have congregational singing for a bit, and the choir will probably begin their work in a few weeks as long as the number of people infected seems manageable.
Last week, a number of people took one or more of the gadgets that are called “Harry’s Hangies” and are to be used on public transport (and elsewhere) when you would want to avoid touching surfaces. I have left them outside the church and in the cloister and you are most welcome to take them if you wish. The notices near the baskets give a good idea of how they work, so I hope that they may be useful. They were designed and produced by one of our younger parishioners, Harry Jordan, who has just gone up to Nottingham University to study mechanical engineering. We wish him all the best at the university, thank him for offering these gadgets free of charge, and congratulate him for the award he received for the design of the hangies.
This weekend, Mr Martin Maloney, the Head of School at St Joseph’s will say a few words at all Masses about the school and its need for governors. He will be available after Mass if you wish to speak with him. We also still need money counters and people to do tea and coffee after the 10.30 Mass. We had a fair number of people participating last week, so let’s try again this week. The list is on the chest at the back of the church.
This coming Friday is Cafod Family Fast Day when we are asked to give up some food and give the money saved (along with any other money to be donated) to Cafod. There are Gift Aid envelopes available on the chest at the back and you are welcome to take one and bring it back next week. This Fast Day, Cafod is focusing on the devastating changes that are happening round the world as a result of our changing climate. Please give what you can to help those round the world who have little food and water and are struggling to keep their families safe.
For a few weeks we shall be having our annual Mass Count, so don’t be surprised if you see someone doing the counting. It will probably be a rather reduced number this year, but it has to be done.
As always: keep safe; keep smiling; keep going! Wear masks in church and keep your hands clean.
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION SEPTEMBER
September An Environmentally Sustainable Lifestyle We pray that we all will make courageous choices for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, rejoicing in our young people who are resolutely committed to this.
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
FIRST COMMUNION 2021/22
If you would like your child/ren to prepare for First Communion, please write to Fr Terry or Mrs Walker stating their name, address, date of birth, place of baptism and the school they attend. All candidates must be in year 3 or above. Classes will start on Tuesday 9th November from 4-5pm in the church hall.
THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH: Starting on Friday 15 October at 12.45pm in the church hall. Lunches cost £15 for a three course meal, glass of wine, coffee and chocolates. Menus to follow in the cloister. If you would like to come along please sign the board on the table in the cloister
MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP on Fridays at 9.30-11.00am. All are welcome.
DECADE OF THE ROSARY will be said after each weekday Mass in October.
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.
THE SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN RC SCHOOL will have its Open Evening on Thursday 30 September Tours start at 5.30pm and the Headteacher’s address is at 7.30pm.
FAST DAY PRAYER
Walk beside us, Lord, in the cool of the day, in the garden you have created as our common home. Walk beside us Lord, as the cries of the forest pierce the dawn, and flames rip through our common home. Grant us courage, Lord, as we walk beside all those who struggle to protect our common home. Grant us hope, Lord, and the vision to walk dark paths in the light of a single sunbeam. Grant us grace, Lord, to put the flourishing of all people and the wonder of your creation at the heart of all we do, as we strive to be guardians of our common.
St Francis, pray for us.
RECENTLY BAPTISED:
Finley George Wisker, Joseph & George Hunt
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: Birdie Leahy (RIP)
Sunday: 26th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
8.30am: People of the Parish
10.30am: Ellie Chadirchi (Ints)
6.00pm: Fr Julian Davies (Ints)
Monday: ST VINCENT DE PAUL, Priest
10.00am: Julian Brotherton (Ints)
Tuesday:
10.00am: Philip & Debbie Rodrigues (Ints)
Wednesday: SS MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL
10.00am: Hoomi Chadirchi (Ints)
Friday: ST THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS
12.15pm: Allwright & Aldridge Families (Ints)
Saturday:
6.00pm: Fr Sebastian Kallungal (RIP)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 5pm and benediction at 5.45pm
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Vincenzo Tuzzeo, Victoria Evans