ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 54 No: 4
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: 30 January 2022
FOURTH 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
Many thanks, first of all, to all the Confirmation candidates who came to the first session of the preparation course last Monday. There were a small number of people who were prevented from attending by Covid and other medical problems, but in the end, we had 28 young people, who were well behaved and who participated well in what was done. Their first extra duty is the Enrolment Mass on Saturday 5 February at 6pm. I hope that all the parishioners here in Hertford will keep these young people in their prayers and support them in any way they can. It is a real commitment to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Let us pray that they will take on that commitment with a joyful heart and welcome the Holy Spirit into their lives. As I announced last week, Bishop Paul McAleenan will be coming here on 19 May at 7pm to administer the sacrament.
Thanks again to all who participated in the recent online survey in preparation for the Synod in 2023. There is a notice about it on the back of this newsletter, but I am delighted that 77 people participated and I thank Michael Milbourn and his grandson Harry for all their work in devising the survey and getting it up and running.
We had a couple of disasters last week that were truly annoying. First of all, three young lads stole the Crib Offerings box, which was on the chest at the back of the church. The Police are investigating, and we hope to hear something from them. The crib is due to come down at 7pm this coming Wednesday, 2 February and Feast of Candlemas, so if anyone wants to contribute to the crib offerings, which will be sent to the Catholic Children’s Society, could they please give the money directly to me?
Our other disaster was that sewage came up through the manhole cover in the presbytery kitchen. Thames Water came and unblocked the drain in the road, but we will probably have to replace the flooring in the kitchen. This is the fourth time in 12 years that this has happened and we shall be writing to Thames Water to see if any more permanent solution can be found. It all makes work for the working man to do, but it really is a huge inconvenience and a potential health hazard. Let’s hope that a solution can be found and properly implemented.
I would still encourage people to wear masks in church for the time being. There are still many infections occurring so it seems sensible to do so. It may not be long before we can leave them off, but there is still room for caution in these matters.
One other date for your diaries is Sunday 27 February, when the Mayor and members of the Town Council will attend the 10.30 Mass. It is always good to welcome them, so, as always, keep smiling, keep safe and keep going!
God bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION FOR JANUARY 2022
FOR TRUE HUMAN FRATERNITY
We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution: may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family
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.
SYNODALITY SURVEY
Thanks to all of those who participated in the online survey. We had a total of 77 responses so we hope that the results will provide a good and balanced idea of the views of parishioners on the various subjects that the survey covered. These results will be included in our submission to the diocese, along with the input obtained through the meetings held in December and the written contributions. If you are reading the online version of this newsletter, you will see a copy of the report attached as a pdf document. If you are unable to access the report yourselves, perhaps you might ask a friend to help you to obtain a printed copy?
PARISH LIBRARY: The parish library situated in the church hall will be closed at the end of January. If you would like any of the books, please help yourself.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION – VOLUNTEER FOR CAFOD
A vital aspect of church is people being willing to share their talents, experience and energy. Could your New Year’s resolution be volunteering for CAFOD? We have lots of different ways you can get involved such as:
· In the parish – where you will be highlighting CAFOD’s work to support communities globally who are living with injustices and in poverty.
· In local schools – where you’ll deliver assemblies and workshops about CAFOD’s work. No experience necessary. Full support, resources and regular training provided. DBS Check & references part of application.
· Coordinating volunteers to help us support, encourage and bring together a small group of volunteers.
If you’d like to know more, please get in touch with Tony tsheen@cafod.org.uk
THE LOBSTER POT LUNCH: Friday 18 February 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.
MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP on Fridays at 9.30-11.00am. All are welcome.
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
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
8.30am:
10.30am: Philip Rodrigues (Ints)
6.00pm:
Monday: St John Bosco
10.00am:
Tuesday:
12.15pm:
Wednesday: The Presentation of the Lord
10.00am: Jim & Mary Queally (RIP Anni)
Thursday:
CHURCH CLOSED
Friday:
12.15pm:
Saturday: St Agatha
6.00pm: Confirmation Candidates
PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR THOSE WHO RECENTLY DECEASED: David Ellam, Peter Bruno, Sylvia Wilson