ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 52 No: 44
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: 29 November 2020
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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 am delighted to be able to tell you that things went well for me at the hospital last week. I seem to be recovering well and am pleased to
say that I have no pain. Let’s hope it continues.
There is also some good news on the virus front. The lockdown will end on 1 December and we can begin to have congregations at Mass
from next Wednesday. We shall use the same system as we used up to 5 November. Booking will still be necessary (especially for weekend
Masses) and we shall observe the distancing arrangements and face covering that we used then. We have been very blessed to have a
great group of stewards and it would be good if they could continue their work. We have no way of knowing how long the arrangements
will last, but we do know that there will still be restrictions on numbers for Mass, baptisms, weddings and funerals. Also, the ban on congregational singing is still in force. We shall have to think carefully about the music at Mass over the next few weeks.
I have mentioned in previous newsletters that we hope to put the crib up on 16 December. It would be a real shame if we didn’t have it at all, but we shall have to abide by the regulations when putting it up. Consequently, we have sorted out a team of people who will put up the crib and be within the norms, so could I – very unusually! – suggest that other volunteers are not required, for this year only, and thank the group that has been gathered for their much appreciated hard work.
The big dilemma is what to do about Masses at Christmas. We shall have to use the booking system and that should be up and running again pretty soon. However, the booking system allows only 50 people, so many people could be disappointed. Whatever you do, don’t just turn up and expect to get to Mass. It could be very awkward. There is also the problem issue of cleaning the church after the Masses and for this we shall have to rely on stewards and other volunteers. I am intending to have Masses at 4pm and 6pm on Christmas Eve, but the idea of cleaning the church after a Mass at Midnight is not very appealing. I think that – again for this year only – we shall have Mass at 9pm. Then we shall have Masses at 8.30 and 10.30 on Christmas morning. I shall be producing a list of all the Christmas services and this should be ready for next week.
This weekend, we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent, the first day of a new liturgical year. Advent asks us to stay alert and be on the lookout for the coming of Christ, not just at Christmas, but at the end of time. It is a very vibrant season and one that has an enormous importance for all of us. This year in particular we need to be alert and ready, when so many things in our lives are turned upside down. Be prepared for whatever may happen and be open to the grace and inspiration of the Lord who comes.
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION NOVEMBER:
Artificial Intelligence:
We pray that the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may always serve humankind.
PRAYERS FOR HOME – Final one!
Copies available with the newsletters or can be viewed on our website.
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.
THE PASSAGE is raising funds through the Big Give from Tues 1st December – Tues 8th December to support its work Helping Homeless People this winter. Double your Donation, Double your impact. This is a matched giving scheme for online donations. If someone (can be company, individual or trust) gave £10 online matched giving of £10 would bring the Gift up to £20 (and for individuals to £22.50 with Gift Aid with higher rate tax relief it may cost the donor less than £10). For more information ring Andrew Hollingsworth 020 75921886 andrew.h@passage.org.uk
To donate online: https://tinyurl.com/PassageBigGive
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6pm & 9pm
Christmas Day: 8.30am & 10.30am
It is absolutely essential that you book your place(s). These Masses will be released on the website by next weekend – if you cannot book directly online please contact Trish, our Parish Secretary, on 07900538114 and she will make the booking for you but please do not ask for this to be done until after they have been released. If you require more than 4 places you will also need to also contact Trish.
CHRISTMAS STALL: there will be a Christmas stall in the big hall after all Masses the weekend of 5/6th December.
HERTFORD & DISTRICT FOODBANK CHRISTMAS 2020 SHOPPING LIST:
tinned salmon, tinned ham, tinned potatoes, mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, tinned fruit, tinned custard, jars of jam or marmalade. Items can be dropped at Tesco’s or Sainsbury’s in Hertford at the front of the stores.
ORDER YOUR FRESH CHRISTMAS TREE
As in Previous years, The Friends of St Joseph (School PTA) are offering you the chance to pre order your fresh Christmas tree at a great price, from a local ecologically managed plantation near Watton at Stone. The order forms are on the table in the cloister (next to the newsletters) or email nadinebarry@hotmail.com
MISSIO RED BOXES: If you have a Missio box please can you bring it in asap ready for counting.
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: Holy Souls
Sunday: FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10.30am: Kathleen Hayden (RIP)
Monday: St Andrew
7.30am: Holy Souls
Tuesday:
7.30am: Vera Lambden (RIP)
Wednesday:
10.00am: Michael Camilleri (RIP)
Thursday: St Francis Xavier
7.30am: Frankie Whelan (RIP)
Friday:
10.00am: Mary Whelan (RIP)
Saturday:
10.00am: Mossy Whelan (RIP Anni)
6.00pm: People of the Parish
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Mary Deighton, Mary Whelan, Frankie Whelan
May they rest in eternal peace.