View from the Presbytery 3 July

ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 54   No: 24

CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION & SAINT JOSEPH

23 ST JOHN’S STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1RX

Email:  hertford@rcdow.org.uk

Parish Priest:  Canon Terence Phipps            Tel:  01992 582109

DATE: 3 June 2022                                                                                                                                                                 FOURTEENTH 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

The collection for Peter’s Pence last weekend came to £351.60 and I thank you, as always, for your generous response. This is our contribution to the work of the Holy See and will be sent off soon.

I mentioned last week that I shall be away next weekend from 8-11 July. I have been asked by a French couple whose wedding I celebrated 30 years ago, to come to Lyons to say a Mass for their anniversary. Fr Michael Doyle has kindly agreed to say the Masses here on the Saturday and Sunday, but there will be no confessions or adoration of the Blessed Sacrament that weekend. The Masses on Friday 8/7 and Monday 11/7 will also be cancelled. I am sorry for any inconvenience, but I am sure you will understand. I shall give details of when I shall be away for my summer break slightly nearer the time. I also have to do two weddings outside the parish, one in July and one in August, and I will give details of those soon.

Next weekend, we celebrate Sea Sunday and pray for the work of the organization now called Stella Maris (formerly known as the Apostleship of the Sea.) This work is very important because there are thousands of ships on the seas and in the ports of the world which transport much of our food and supplies from the site of production to the UK. Many of the sailors are Roman Catholics and spend much of the working lives away from their homes and families. Stella Maris is staffed by priests, religious and lay people and does great pastoral work among the sailors, helping them with practical problems and offering them spiritual support and comfort. Please give what you can. There are some envelopes on the chest at the back of the church for those who wish to use Gift Aid. Please bring them back next week, when there will be a retiring collection.

The following weekend, 16-17 July, we shall have our annual Foreign Mission Appeal, given this year by the Spiritans (formerly known as the Holy Ghost Fathers. Fr Dennis Bukenya will be with us that weekend and will preach at all the masses. There will be a retiring collection also for the work of the Spiritans and I encourage you to give what you can. I am only too well aware of the many demands that we all have on our finances, but this is important work and our prayers and donations contribute to the missionary work of the universal Church. It was not easy to come up with a date for this appeal, so I apologise if this date is inconvenient for any of you and I am sorry to be asking for money once again.

Don’t forget that the First Communion photos are at the back of the church. Try and order them asap. They are beautiful!

God bless – Fr Terry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

POPE’S INTENTION FOR JULY- ELDERLY
We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: If you would like your child/children to prepare for First Confession and Communion in 2022/23, and they are in Year 3 and above, please write to Fr Terry or Mrs Walker stating their name, address, date of birth, place of baptism and the school they attend. Classes will begin in

September.

THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH: Friday 15 July 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.

WILL YOU TAKE THE FIRST STEP?

CAFOD’s Gap year programme, Step into the Gap is a great opportunity for Young Adults aged between 18-30 to immerse themselves in interactive experiences, develop leadership skills while exploring their faith, and meeting new people. Take the first step and find out more information and how to apply for September 2022 go to cafod.org.uk/gapyear

RECENTLY BAPTISED

Micah Ebenezer Matthias Gill

Jesse William Mallouppa

Ava May McManus

URGENT APPEAL FOR CHILDREN’S CLOTHES: From baby to teenage years.

Please leave with Mrs Walker in the church hall, Mon-Fri 8am-12noon.

SAVE THE DATE: 16-17th July 2022. Marriage Encounter are hosting a non-residential marriage enrichment weekend. This is a wonderful opportunity for couples to spend time reflecting on, refreshing and rejoicing in their wonderful vocation. For details go to:

https://wwme.org.uk/weekend/me-weekendhendon-16th-to-17th-july-2022/

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023 – LOOKING TO LISBON: World Youth Day 2023 will take place in Lisbon in the beginning of August 2023. Diocese of Westminster Youth Ministry with support from Cardinal’s Appeal is offering a limited number of places on this pilgrimage with a 50% discount to young people between the ages of 16-25.  Any 16-year olds who apply will need to be finishing year 12 by the start of World Youth Day pilgrimage.  These young people will commit to a series of preparatory sessions from September 2022, to prepare them to assist in support roles during the pilgrimage, such as by acting as small group leaders, and also offer formation to them which will be helpful in living their faith post-World Youth Day. More details can be found at https://dowym.com/programmes/world-youth-day-leadership-training/ or by contacting Westminster Youth Ministry at youth@rcdow.org.uk. Please apply by 31 July 2022.

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday:

6.00pm: Delia McKenna (RIP)

Sunday: 14th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

8.30am: Jeffrey Carlisle (RIP)

10.30am: Anthony Towey (RIP)

6.00pm: People of the Parish

Monday:

10.00am: Delia McKenna (RIP)

Tuesday:

12.15pm: Hanna Goodwin (RIP)

Wednesday:

10.00am: Patricia Connell (RIP Anni)

Thursday: CHURCH CLOSED

Friday – NO MASS

Saturday:

6.00pm: Alf Rossi (RIP)

Confessions: 10-10.30am & 5.00-5.30pm

Exposition of the blessed sacrament 5-5.40pm

Recently Deceased

Kajetan Migdal

ROSARY GROUP: Come and join us in the church on Tuesday evenings at 7pm for recital of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.