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: 3 December
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
In the bleak mid-winter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter long ago.
It certainly feels like the bleak mid-winter – with near record low temperatures for this time of year. But the first day of December is only the first day of meteorological winter – and astronomical winter begins at the Winter Solstice, this year 22nd December. There is great symbolism in this – for from that day onwards in our part of the world the days get longer – as the light of the Sun illumines the darkness. Christ is the Light of the World, and his birth heralds a new dawn. We prepare for the Feast of the Incarnation in these days of Advent by looking forward to that new dawn. Unusually, we have a shorter Advent this year – since Christmas Eve is also the Fourth Sunday of Advent – so only three weeks to the great Feast!
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our brothers and sisters still suffering in war-torn places. The short-lived ceasefire in Gaza has come to an end. Please God, those working hard behind the scenes to bring about a more lasting peace will soon be successful.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him nor Earth sustain.
Heaven and Earth shall flee away when He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter, a stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Fr Séamus
POPE’S INTENTION FOR DECEMBER
For persons with disabilities We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the centre of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programmes which value their active participation.
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 the church hall on Tuesday evenings at 7pm for recital of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
THE SVP are distributing over 10,000 Vinnie Packs containing cold weather essentials to the homeless this winter. Please could you consider sponsoring packs at a suggested donation of £4.20 per pack? Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP or by bank transfer to Nat West sort code 60-60-04, account no. 4608 8237. Thank you so much for your support
THE CRIB WILL BE PUT UP on Monday 11th December from about 7.00pm. If there are any volunteers who might like to help, then please come along. We don’t need huge numbers, but it is useful to have some spare hands to carry the many parts of the crib and put them in place. It is always a great joy to see the crib again and it can help our Advent and Christmas meditations.
ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
from Friends of St Joseph (school PTA) who are again teaming up with Festive Trees, who are based near Watton at Stone. Forms can be found at the back of the church.
ADVENT LUNCH: Tuesday 5th December after the 12.15pm Mass. If you would like to come please sign the board at the back of the church.
THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH: Friday 15th December at 12.45pm in the church hall.
Please call Sue on 07711 584 517.
CHRISTMAS STALL: each weekend until 17 December selling Advent calendars, diaries, Christmas cards and much more.
SENIORS’ EXERCISE CLASSES:
Mondays 11am in the church hall – 1 hour £5
Fiona Walsh Tel: 07860 782403.
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: First Sunday of Advent
8.30am: Mary Grealish (RIP)
10.30am: Kathleen & Dominic Hayden (RIP)
NO EVENING MASS
Monday
10.00am: Anna Laughnan (RIP)
Tuesday
12.15pm: Margaret Hogg (Anni)
Wednesday:
10.00am: John & Mary Grealish (RIP)
Thursday: CHURCH CLOSED
Friday
12.15pm: Keith Pollard (Anni)
Saturday
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Confessions:
Saturday: 5.15pm -5.45pm
COLLECTION: Many thanks for your contributions: Last Weekend: £562.42