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
DATE: 29th October
30th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
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 I am writing this, there is not much of a ‘view from the presbytery’ because it’s quite misty and mirky this morning! The agony of the conflict in the Holy Land continues unabated, with daily stories of untold suffering. Pope Francis has asked us all to keep praying hard for an end to the violence which has taken so many innocent lives – please God the prayers will be answered soon.
In the last few days two priests of the Diocese have been laid to rest – Fr. Tim O’Connor (74) who retired from Potters Bar in 2017 due to ill health, and Fr. Dominic McKenna (73) the Parish Priest of the two Parishes in Borehamwood. They were both exemplary priests and shepherds of their flocks whom I had known and admired for many years. They will be missed by their parishioners, by their brother priests and of course by their families. I found myself, at the Mass on Wednesday evening for the reception of Fr Dominic’s body at St Teresa’s, as I sat close to his coffin, thinking about my own mortality. Not in a maudlin way, might I add! November is a special time for remembering all those we have known and loved who have gone to be with the Lord, as well as praying for those who have no one to remember them. It is also a time for us to hope that one day we may see the face of God and enjoy the consolation of His loving presence for ever.
Fr Séamus
POPE’S INTENTION FOR OCTOBER for the Synod We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.
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. John O’Neill 01438 314333 at the Lister hospital. The staff on the wards can also contact the Chaplain.
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.
PARENTS’ MEETING ON TUESDAY 7 NOVEMBER: There will be a meeting for all parents and guardians of children preparing for First Confession at 7pm in the church hall.
ONE DECADE OF THE ROSARY will be said after each weekday Mass in October.
THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH: Friday 17th November 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
ALL SAINTS’ DAY is on Wednesday 1st November and is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Mass will be at 7.30am and 8.00pm.
THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER is almost here and the time when we especially remember and pray for the dead. Envelopes and printed lists for names of the departed will be available on the chest at the back of the church from this weekend. Do please fill out the lists with the names of people you want to pray for, and, if you wish, you may put a donation in the envelope. The envelopes can be posted through the presbytery letter box or given to me directly. It is a good thing to remember the dead: let us pray that they may rest in peace after all their labours.
COLLECTION: Many thanks for your contributions: Last Weekend: £517.60
CHRISTMAS STALL: There will be a stall every weekend from 4 November until 17 December selling Advent calendars, diaries, Christmas cards and much more.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS: Tuesday 31 October at 4pm.
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6pm: John Quinn (RIP)
Sunday: 30th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
8.30am: Paddy Finn (RIP)
10.30am: Megan Louise –Marie (Anni)
NO EVENING MASS
Monday
10.00am: Jessica Grealish (Ints)
Tuesday
12.15pm:
Wednesday: ALL SAINTS’ DAY
7.30am:
8.00pm:
Thursday:
10.00am: ALL SOULS
Friday
12.15pm:
Saturday
6.00pm: Frances Clark (RIP)
Confessions:
Saturday: 5.15pm -5.45pm
RECENTLY DEPARTED
Elizabeth Hope, Steven Davies, Sara Wilson, James Barber