ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 54 No: 5
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: 6 February 2022
FIFTH 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
Our lovely crib has now been dismantled and put away for another year. I really must thank Geoff and Liam Ings and Peter Boyle who came to do the work. It was all done pretty speedily, since all the figures had been removed during the day and everything was most efficient. We shall have to sort out the canopy for next Christmas and do a few small repairs to the crib structures, some of which are looking a bit tired. Still, it was a great delight to be able to see it again in all its glory. So many people have come to look at it. I told you last week that our box of crib offerings had been stolen and I thank those who made further contributions to make up a little bit for the loss. I shall try and send the money off to the Catholic Children’s Society in the coming week, so if there is any more to come please give it to me directly. The investigation into the theft is still ongoing, and the Police are on the case.
I sent in the results of our online survey to the Diocesan Agency for Evangelisation, which is coordinating the response of the diocese to the Synod Office in Rome. There were also a few written responses, so once again, thanks to all who helped in preparing the survey and to all who responded. It has been quite an exercise. There will be a meeting later in the month which one parishioner will attend, so we should get a clearer picture of what’s going on when that happens.
The celebration of Candlemas went very well with a very good number of people present. This weekend, we have the Enrolment Mass for those preparing for Confirmation. I mentioned this last weekend but stupidly did not mention that we would have to cancel the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in order to prepare for the Mass. I’m really sorry about this, but with a group of 32 young people it would be too complicated to organise what needs to be done for the Mass as well as do Benediction. We shall get back to normal next week and then have a few more weeks before we change to the Stations of the Cross on the Saturdays of Lent. Anyway, please keep our young people in your prayers. They have so many commitments to consider at their age, especially as they review their options for GCSE courses at school. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all their decisions.
The readings at Mass this weekend are amazingly appropriate for the discipleship of Confirmation. Whom shall I send, asks the Lord and Isaiah replies “Here I am. Send me!” It is a response which we hope the young candidates will amply fulfill.
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.
As always, keep smiling, keep safe and keep going!
God bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY 2022
Religious Sisters and Consecrated Women
We pray for religious sisters and consecrated women; thanking them for their mission and their courage; may they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times.
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.
MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP on Fridays at 9.30-11.00am. All are welcome.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES: We are now preparing to issue new sets of offertory envelopes. If you no longer use your envelopes please do let the office know. Maybe you might consider changing your offering to standing order, if so please contact the office. Thank you.
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.
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.
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
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday:
6.00pm: Confirmation Candidates
Sunday: FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
8.30am:
10.30am:
6.00pm:
Monday:
10.00am: Nuno Jorge (RIP Anni)
Tuesday:
10.00am: John & Paddy Bacon (RIP Anni)
Wednesday:
10.00am: Fr Desmond Baker (RIP)
Thursday:
CHURCH CLOSED
Friday:
12.15pm: Josephine Wright (Ints)
Saturday:
6.00pm: Cyril Grevtakov (RIP)
PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR THOSE WHO RECENTLY DECEASED:
David Ellam, Peter Bruno, Sylvia Wilson
RECENTLY BAPTISED: CHLOE RAE OTTERSON, LEXI MAE OTTERSON, ADA ANNE HENNELLY