ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 53 No: 36
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 October 2021 TWENTY-SEVENTH 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
I repeat the first paragraph of last week’s newsletter: As most of you will have noticed, we have now removed the white ribbons and yellow crosses from the benches, but we ask you to continue to wear face covering in church and to spread out as much as possible. You are asked to continue using the hand sanitisers at the door of the church and the church hall, and we have kept the arrows on the floor to remind people of the one-way system for communion. We shall still not have congregational singing for a bit, and the choir will probably begin their work in a few weeks as long as the number of people infected seems manageable.
As we mentioned at Mass last weekend, there will be a retiring collection this weekend for the work of Cafod. There are still envelopes on the chest at the back of the church for people to use for Gift Aid purposes, and the collection will still be open until next weekend. Please give what you can. The work done round the world by Cafod is a great way for all of us to be involved in helping many thousands of people in poverty and distress, and in putting into practice our Church’s commitment to those in need.
This weekend there will be a Pastoral Letter read at all Masses about the preparations the Holy Father has called for in connection with a Synod in Rome in 2023. This Synod will be an exercise in listening to each other and exchanging ideas about the future of the Church after the awful couple of years we have had. You will hear much about this in the next couple of months and I hope that we will be able to make a contribution to the initiative here in Hertford. It has – I must admit – taken me a bit by surprise in the exceptional busyness of the last few weeks, but I hope that we can get up to speed without too much difficulty. I hope to have more news and information for you next weekend.
A good number of people have taken the “Harry’s Hangies” at the entrance to the church. There are still a few left, and you are welcome to take one. The notice near them gives a good idea of how to use them.
Many thanks to those who spoke to Mr Martin Maloney, the Head of School at St Joseph’s last weekend. A few people are considering the possibility of being governors at the school, which is a great step forward. We also still need money counters and people to do tea and coffee after the 10.30 Mass. For a few weeks we shall be having our annual Mass Count, so don’t be surprised if you see someone doing the counting. We were 210 at Mass last weekend, so still less than 50% of our ‘normal’ numbers. Come back soon – we miss you!
As always: keep safe; keep smiling; keep going! Wear masks in church and keep your hands clean.
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION OCTOBER
Missionary Disciples
We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the Gospel.
IF YOU GO IN TO HOSPITAL: Catholics in hospital are unlikely to receive an automatic visit from the Catholic Chaplain. 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
FIRST COMMUNION 2021/22
If you would like your child/ren to prepare for First Communion, please write to Fr Terry or Mrs Walker stating their name, address, date of birth, place of baptism and the school they attend. All candidates must be in year 3 or
above. Classes will start on Tuesday 9th November from 4-5pm in the church hall.
THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH: Starting on Friday 15 October at 12.45pm in the church hall. Lunches cost £15 for a three course meal, glass of wine, coffee and chocolates. Menus to follow in the cloister. If you would like to come along please sign the board on the table in the cloister
DECADE OF THE ROSARY will be said after each weekday Mass in October.
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.
RED MISSIO BOXES: If you have a box, please can you kindly return it to church. Thank you.
MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP on Fridays at 9.30-11.00am. All are welcome.
RECENTLY BAPTISED:
George & Joseph Hunt
Ennis Glenn Taitt
Drew Renee Oliver-Bolt
DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A CATHOLIC? ARE YOU AN ADULT CATHOLIC WHO WISHES TO BE CONFIRMED? ARE YOU A CATHOLIC WHO WISHES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FAITH?
Here at St Joseph’s we run classes that meet on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm in the Presbytery. If you are interested please take a form (on the chest at the back of the church). Please put your completed form through the letter box of the Presbytery.
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: Fr Sebastian Kallungal (RIP)
Sunday: 27th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
8.30am: Mary McManus (RIP)
10.30am: Sr Loretta Dooley (Ints)
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Monday: ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI
10.00am: Mr & Mrs McCarthy (Ints)
Tuesday:
12.15pm: Linda Radford (RIP)
Wednesday:
10.00am: Anita Pearson (RIP Anni)
Friday:
12.15pm: Walter, Sylvina & Edward Rodrigues RIP
Saturday: ST JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, Priest
6.00pm: Mr VC Mathew (RIP)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 5pm and benediction at 5.45pm
RECENTLY DECEASED: Tony Queally