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
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 3rd/4th February 2024
Prayers & Readings for this Sunday’s Mass can be found on p. 134 in the Parish Mass Book.
Please note that there is a Loop system in the Church.
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View from the Presbytery
Canon Terry has asked me to thank you all for the ‘magnificent celebrations’ last Sunday. He wants to express his gratitude to you all for your ‘wonderful generosity and kindness’ and says he will miss you all. Peter Corley said a few words of appreciation in both the hall and the marquee and handed Fr Terry a cheque for £3000 on your behalf. When Fr Terry left on Monday morning he also had a large number of cards and a few bottles to take with him! I know he enjoyed the day very much indeed. Thank you to all who helped make it possible. Someone quipped that we should have gatherings like that more often. Fortieth anniversaries of Ordination don’t come along every day!
This weekend we are focusing our attention on the plight of our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. There will be a collection at the end of each Mass for the charitable outreach of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem – which is basically the Catholic Diocese for the Holy Land. Our Diocese has close links with the Patriarchate through Cardinal Nichols, and we know that any monies raised will be going directly to where aid is most needed. Thank you for whatever you are able to give. Just a reminder that for this weekend, any offerings made via the contactless machine at the entrance to the church will be added to the Holy Land collection.
In less than two weeks we will be beginning the holy season of Lent – a time for us all to ponder how we might improve on our praying, fasting and almsgiving. Have a good week!
Fr Séamus
MISSIO RED BOXES: Thanks to all who returned their boxes for counting. The empty boxes (with names attached) can now be picked up from the bench at the back of the church and used for the 2024 process. Peter Mahoney
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.
At the Lister & QE2 hospitals, the Chaplain is: John O’Neill 01438 314333
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.
PRAYERS ASKED PLEASE –
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Elizabeth Barnes, Ursula Partner, Jan Kracinski, Stephen Carey, Paul Cox, Malcolm Gilbert, Enzo Andrean, Miriam Matthews, Ruth Featherstone, Stephen Judd, Mary Ward, John Sweeney, Pam Gates, Juliet Davis, Phyllis Read, Jo Black, Robbie Robinson, Fr Terry, Angela White, Manuel Lopez, Lyn Carroll, Linda Abeysundera.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY: Norene Hristov – may she rest in peace and rise in glory. Her Funeral Mass will be here at 12.30pm on Tuesday 6th February.
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY
For the Terminally Ill
The Holy Father encourages prayers “so that terminally ill patients and their families always receive necessary medical and human care and support.”
MASS INTENTIONS:
Saturday 3rd February
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday 4th February V Ordinary Time
8.30am: George Robert Emmett RIP
10.30am: Jim & Mary Queally (Anniv.)
Monday 5th February
10.00am: Private Intention
Tuesday 6th February
12.30pm: Funeral of
Norene Hristov RIP
Wednesday 7th February
10.00am: Private Intention
Thursday 8th February
CHURCH CLOSED
Friday 9th February
12.15pm: John & Paddy Bacon RIP
6.00pm Private Intention
Confessions
Saturday: 5.15-5.45pm