ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 52 No: 35
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: 27 September 2020 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
I have to say that my few days away in the Cotswolds last week were really excellent. I went with my sister and brother in law and stayed in a hotel in Moreton in Marsh and visited a number of the villages round about. We were so lucky with the weather and it was great to see that business was coming back strongly after lockdown. Let’s hope it doesn’t get knocked back all over again as we face increased infection and further restrictions. You don’t know what’s happening from one day to the next!
We had our first retiring collection for some time the other Sunday and managed to collect £315.00 for the Holy Places of Palestine. This collection is usually taken on Good Friday afternoon, but nobody was here except me on that day, so it was a good effort on everyone’s part to raise the total of £315.00. Thank you for your generosity. Our next retiring collection will be next weekend, 3rd and 4th October and will be for Peter’s Pence. This is our annual donation to the work of the Holy See and is normally taken around the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Do please give what you can to keep the church and its many institutions, many of them charitable, going.
There has been some interest in becoming the Parish Safeguarding Representative, but there is still no definite candidate, so I would still encourage people to consider whether they might offer their services. I have an information sheet on what is involved and will leave some on the table in the cloister so that people can have a better idea of what it entails. Training would be offered and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team would be involved in the appointment. It is so important that we have someone in the Parish who can be involved in our response to children and vulnerable adults.
I also mentioned last week that we need two or three new members of the Parish Finance Committee. It is not too onerous a job, with just three meetings a year, and yet it is immensely important in supporting me to run the parish properly. Do have a word with me about it.
There is news of changes to the numbers of people that will be allowed to attend events together. I do not have full information as I write this, but I hope to find out all the implications very soon. It looks likely, for instance, that the total number of people permitted at a baptism may be reduced to six, which would cause us some problems, but I must wait for final guidance from the diocese before making any decisions. We certainly do live in uncertain times!
As I said last week, we seem to have managed pretty well over the last few months, but with the increase in infection we are likely to have to continue special measures for some time to come. Some of you will be anxious about returning to church, but you are still part of the Parish even if you can’t manage to come in person. Now is the time to realise the power of prayer and to use it together.
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION SEPTEMBER:
Respect for the Planet’s Resources
We pray that the planet’s resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner.
ONLINE DONATIONS TO OUR CHURCH:
Westminster Roman Catholic Diocese Trustee Hertford as the account name.
Account number 21263242
Sort code: 40-05-20
Many parishioners are now using Standing Order to donate their weekly/monthly offerings THANK YOU! If you would like to do the same, the forms are available on the website to download.
If you are a tax payer, please complete a Gift Aid form. If you stop paying tax or change address you must let the parish office know.
IF YOU WRITE A CHEQUE TO THE PARISH please can you make payable to WRCDT Hertford. Thank you.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): This group is for adults who wish to be baptised, for people from other Christian denominations who wish to become Catholics and for Catholics who wish to be confirmed. It is also suitable for those who wish to learn a bit more about the Faith. Have a think about it and see whether this might be for you. Forms are now available and a start date will follow.
BOOKING YOUR PLACE AT MASS: Please book your place in advance and arrive in plenty of time so that you can sanitise your hands and be seated by our Stewards. If you have not booked, then unfortunately you will not be guaranteed a place. Please inform the Parish Office if you are unable to attend Mass after you have booked a seat, so that the space can be offered to another Parishioner. In response to Government guidance and for your safety, we are asking for your contact details so that individuals can be notified in the event of any suspected Covid-19 case. Your details will be kept for 21 days following each Mass to enable us to provide details to the trace & test system should an outbreak occur. Full details of the Privacy Notice can be found at www.rcdow.org.uk/privacy-policy
Mass Intentions
Saturday
10.00am: Private Intention
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: 26th Sunday of the Year
10.30am: Sr Alphonsus Lagrue (Ints)
6.00pm: Sr Loretta Dooley (Ints)
Monday:
10.00am: Terry Edwards (RIP)
Tuesday: Ss Michael, Gabriel & Raphael
10.00am: Martin Ward (RIP)
Wednesday: St Jerome
10.00am: Carmel Hearty (Ints)
Thursday: St Therese of the Child Jesus
7.30am: Liam Dooley (RIP)
Friday: The Holy Guardian Angels
10.00am: Amanda Skull (Ints)
Saturday:
10.00am: Shelagh Stacey (RIP)
6.00pm: People of the Parish