ST JOSEPH’S JOURNAL Volume 53 No: 18
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
Parish Priest: Canon Terence Phipps Tel: 01992 582109
DATE: 9 May 2021
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
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 for your generous contributions to the Priests’ Training Fund over the last couple of weeks. The total so far is £762.35, but if there are any further donations to be handed in, they can be given directly to me or donated online via www.rcdow.org.uk/donations This is a very important collection which contributes to the mission of the diocese. Please continue to pray for vocations. We need many more priests and your prayers and financial support are vital. Thank you.
On Thursday of this coming week, 13 May, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which is normally a Holyday of Obligation. Although our obligation is suspended for a while because of the Covid situation, we shall have two masses in the church on Thursday at 10.00am and 8.00pm and I shall celebrate Mass at St Joseph’s School at 2.15. Normally the school Mass would be open to members of the parish, but because of all the restrictions that is not possible at the moment. Please book your places at Mass as usual.
As I mentioned last week, the Ascension is the beginning of nine days of prayer (a Novena) to prepare us for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. There is an ecumenical element to our prayer again this year and we hope that all Christian denominations will be joining in and praying together. We shall say a prayer at each Mass during the Novena, just before the final blessing, but I have also left copies of an email from the Agency for Evangelisation, which gives details of online resources which you might like to use. This novena is given the title “Thy Kingdom Come”, so even if you can’t get to Mass, or do not have access to any other of the prepared materials, you can say an Our Father each day to join in.
I have also left some more copies of the Bishops’ letter about the Covid situation and the way forward, which I also left out last week. Please take one if you wish. If you are somebody who has reservations about the vaccination programme, you might be interested in a webinar, the details of which are on the other side of this sheet and on a poster outside the church. It has been arranged to give people information about vaccination and will involve medical experts, several local authorities (including Hertfordshire County Council) and the dioceses of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster. It can be seen on Saturday 15 May from 10am to 11.30am.
Our wonderful British weather has made the relaxation of restrictions rather chilly since 12 April, but it has been good to see people about more and enjoying outdoor hospitality. Roll on 17 May when pubs, cafes and restaurants can open to allow people inside! It will be a big step forward on the road to freedom.
However, we still need to keep our distance and we still need to wear masks, when required. Keep safe; keep smiling; keep going.
God Bless – Fr Terry
POPE’S INTENTION MAY
The World of Finance
Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.
ONLINE DONATIONS TO OUR CHURCH:
Westminster Roman Catholic Diocese Trustee Hertford as the account name.
Account number 21263242
Sort code: 40-05-20
If you would like to use STANDING ORDER to donate your weekly/monthly offering, the forms are available on the website to download.
IF YOU WRITE A CHEQUE TO THE PARISH please can you make payable to WRCDT Hertford. Thank you.
IF YOU ARE A GIFT AIDER AND YOU STOP PAYING TAX OR CHANGE ADDRESS you must let the parish office know.
Thank you.
FOOD BANK:
We are in desperate need of food for the foodbank. Items can be dropped off at the church hall with Mrs. Sue Walker any weekday morning. Don’t forget that foodbanks also accept essential non-food items such as toiletries and hygiene products, helping people in crisis to maintain dignity.
BABY CLOTHES: We are in urgent need of baby clothes from birth to 3 years, boys and girls. Please bring them to Sue Walker at the church hall Monday – Friday 8am – 12 noon. Thank you.
A DECADE OF THE ROSARY WILL BE SAID AFTER EACH WEEKDAY MASS IN MAY.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS
on Tuesdays at 4pm in the church hall. If you haven’t already, please can you bring £8 per child to cover the cost of their book. Thank you.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPE BOXES
These are ready for collection. Please come to the Presbytery to collect your boxes.
A COVID-19 VACCINE CONFIDENCE WEBINAR has been organized for the of Dioceses of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster, with the cooperation of Hertfordshire County Council and Hammersmith & Fulham Council, and other local authorities. It will take place on Saturday 15th May 2021 from 10am to 11.30am and will feature a panel of eminent medical experts led by Prof Kevin Fenton, Regional Director of Public Health London. The panel will share the latest information on COVID-19 vaccination. There will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions anonymously. To join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/99627319556 Passcode: 54661
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MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday: Easter Feria
6.00pm: 6.00pm: People of the Parish
Sunday: Sixth Sunday of Easter
10.30am: George Robert Emmett (RIP)
6.00pm:
Monday: Easter Feria
10.00am:
Tuesday: Easter Feria
10.00am:
Wednesday: Easter Feria
10.00am: Alex McKillop (RIP)
Thursday: The Ascension of the Lord
10.00am: Michael Parsons (RIP)
8.00pm: People of the Parish
Friday: St Matthias
10.00am:
Saturday: Easter Feria
10.00am: Vocations to the Priesthood
6.00pm: Bernadette Rowbottom (RIP)
RECENTLY DECEASED:
George Sandell, Michael Parsons
May they rest in eternal peace.