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
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT – 2nd /3rd March 2024
Prayers & Readings for this Sunday’s Mass can be found on p. 154 in the Parish Mass Book.
Please note that there is a Loop system in the Church.
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View from the Presbytery
We are about half-way through our Lenten journey for this year already! If, for whatever reason, we have let our Lenten resolutions slip, it is never too late to begin again to focus on what needs to change in our spiritual lives. Each new day presents us with the opportunity to pray a little better, to consider others more rather than just think about ourselves, and to fast from unnecessary things. I know that I need a ‘reboot’! Let’s pray for each other as we try our best.
A couple of families have asked me about Confirmation classes for their youngsters. I know that Fr Terry used to lead these classes in recent years. I have to admit that I have not had to do so for over twenty-five years! I have been fortunate to have both assistant priests and trained catechists in the parishes where I have ministered before who prepared the young people. So, I have decided that for this year we will not prepare a group for Confirmation – and I hope that I can find some parishioners willing to be catechists to help hand on the faith to the next generation. If you would like to assist me in that enterprise, please do let me know. Training can be provided by the Diocese – I will need to undergo some too!
It has been a blessing to be able to meet weekly with the RCIA group – a group of adults who are seeking to become Roman Catholics or to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. They very much enjoyed going to the Cathedral the other week to take part in the Rite of Election presided over by the Cardinal. They got to see that all over the Diocese there are groups of people just like them who are seeking meaning in their lives and have chosen to do so in the Catholic Church. Please keep Mariette, Darren, Caro and Louise in your prayers. They will receive the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Have a good Third Week of Lent everyone.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: each Saturday during Lent at 5.15pm.
ST JOHN PASSION: As part of our Lenten devotions, Westminster Cathedral Choir will perform J.S. Bach’s retelling of the St John Passion. The event will take place on Thursday 14th March 2024 at 7.30pm at Westminster Cathedral. This is a wonderful chance to hear the Cathedral’s superb choir performing one of the greatest pieces of Easter music ever written.
Discounted tickets are available at the following link, using the password SJP30
https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F00602BD7A81B4F?did=sjp30
LENT LUNCH: Friday 15th March at 1pm. Please sign the clipboard at the back of the Church if you would like to share this simple meal.
ST PATRICK’S DAY: there are cards and gifts for St Patrick’s Day available in the shop at the back of the Church.
THANKSGIVING FOR MATRIMONY: The Cardinal invites all couples who are celebrating 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, and 60+ wedding anniversaries during this year to a special Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday 25th May at 2.30pm in Westminster Cathedral. If you are a couple celebrating one of these milestones and you would like to attend the Mass, please let me know. The easiest way to do so would be to send an email with your details to the Parish email address: hertford@rcdow.org.uk
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, Linda Abeysundera, Julia Rochford.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY: Ann Vetere, Lyn Carroll, Martin Ratcliff (son of Fee Ratcliff). May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH
For the new martyrs
We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.
MASS INTENTIONS:
Saturday 2nd March
6.00pm: Private Intention
Sunday 3rd March III Lent
8.30am: People of the Parish
10.30am: George Robert Emmett RIP
Monday 4th March
10.00am: Private Intention
Tuesday 5th March
12.15pm: Phyllis Niemczyk Int.
Wednesday 6th March
10.00am: Private Intention
Thursday 7th March
CHURCH CLOSED
Friday 8th March
12.15pm: Private Intention
Saturday 9th March
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday 10th March IV Lent
8.30am: Bernadette Euseden RIP
10.30am: Angela Gonsalves RIP