Fifth Sunday of Easter
Saturday 9 May
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6:30-7:30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Rosary
Sunday 10
11.30am Mass Intentions of Sister Mary Juliana
5.30pm Exposition & Benediction
6pm Holy Rosary
Monday 11
9am Mass Jim McEvoy RIP
6pm Holy Rosary
St John Houghton
Tuesday 12
9am Mass Fr Antony Conlon RIP
6pm Holy Rosary
St Erconwald
Wednesday 13
9am Mass Vocations to the Priesthood
6pm Holy Rosary
St Matthias
Thursday 14
9am Mass Ernie Sansome RIP
6pm Holy Rosary
Friday 15
9am Mass Gwen Byrnes RIP
6pm Holy Rosary
Saturday 16
10am Mass Intentions of David Zovaro
10.30-11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sixth Sunday of Easter
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Rosary
Sunday 17
11.30am Mass Intentions of Rosemary Mann
5.30pm Exposition & Benediction
6 Holy Rosary
We Pray for our Sick
Renata Butler, Anne Owen, Adrian Barclay, Patricia Ann Darroch, Peggy Larman, Sylvia Clancy, Patricia Vanner, Amy Louise Fox, Sarah Savage, Bill O’Connell, Janet Weale, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, David Kislingbury, Mark Shepherd, Eileen Bines, Breege McCaffrey, Mark Hartley, Austin Butler, John Lavery, Paul Keane, Rosemary Bragard, Pat Lynch, Maureen Gooding, Dympna Addecott, Ben Wilson, Christian Ryan, Mike Rubbert, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Rose Craft, Nan Carrit, Eileen Wilson, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Anthony McEvoy, Justin Stark, Sheila Netherton, David Blyth, Janet Woods, Lynne Hilkene, June Moncaster, Laura & Anne Breen, Breda Lynch, Maria Clark, Roy Widdecombe, Johanna Lynch, Anthony King, Chas Taylor, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Johnnie Pool, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Hugh Isaacs, Josephine Griggs, Colleen Worley, Dawn Deleigh, Lorraine Hart, Linda Dean, Wyn McCafferty, Georgina Cornwell, Antonella McConalogue, Eddie McConalogue, Sharon Levill, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Bernadette Lane, Irena Solecki, Ianto Bellis, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Richard Collins, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Keith Maliff & children, Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price & Frazer Gregory.
We pray for our dead on their anniversaries
Fr Augustine Davidson, Mgr Canon John Howell, Fr John Boyle, Fr Stanley Joynes, Fr Jim McCormack, Mary Jones, Wally Hurst, Philip Wilson, Vera Fogarty, Frederick Freeman, James McEvoy, Charlotte Anderson, Robert King, Patrick O’Sullivan, Joyce Wilkinson, Iris Amner, John Lyons, Constance Newton, Louis Bussell, Dorothy Kyrke-Smith, Margaret Philip, Joseph Edwards, John Smith, Eileen Hood, Winifred Craig, Francis Thomas, Roma Morgan, John Rivens, Arthur Mills, Emma Hobbs, Alfred Warner, Philip Everett, Amy Ehn, Bridget Hamblion, Pauline Cousins, Florence West, Ellen O’Leary, Agnes Brady, Edward Petronis.
Delivery Scams
Warning from Safeguarding regarding delivery scams
We are warning residents to stay vigilant following an increase in reports of people receiving unexpected packages from couriers.
There have been a number of victims in Hertfordshire, and more recently in Bishop’s Stortford, where victims have received deliveries they had not ordered. A short while later a woman wearing a DPD courier uniform has arrived to collect the packages, claiming they had been delivered to the wrong address. In the reported instances the packages have contained either iPhones or laptops and have been despatched by AO.
Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit said: “We want all residents to be aware of this potential fraud. If goods are delivered that you have not ordered and are marked with your address you should inform the company that sent it and wait for them to send a courier. Always check with them which courier company is making the collection and when they will arrive. If someone knocks on the door claiming to have come to pick it up after it was delivered by mistake, think twice about handing it over. Are they from the same company that just delivered it? Can you see a company vehicle? Just because they are in a uniform does not mean they are from the company as they claim.
“If someone tries to deliver a parcel you’ve not ordered, refuse to accept it so that it goes back to the depot or the sender. If you have handed a parcel over please report it to Action Fraud. If someone is at your door claiming to have come to pick up a parcel you never ordered ring 999.”
Hertfordshire Constabulary offers the following crime prevention advice:
If possible, don’t accept or sign for parcels you haven’t ordered.
If a parcel you have received is not something you have ordered, you should
not hand the parcel over to someone calling at your door unless you have made a prior arrangement for its collection and you are able to check the identity of the caller.
If you realise a parcel you have received is something you have not ordered, you should immediately contact the company to arrange for its
collection. Remember to ask how to ensure the identity of the person collecting it.If you have already handed over a package in the circumstances described contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk.
Pray for the Repose of the Souls
Grahame Addecott
Died on Friday 24 April
Peter Burry
Died on Saturday 2 May
Fourth Sunday of Easter
There is only one way for us to continue, and that is to go positively forwards in prayer
Dear friends in Christ
It has been over a month since we went into lockdown and our churches were closed. There is only one way for us to continue, and that is to go positively forwards in prayer. We have entered the month of May, a month traditionally dedicated by the Church to Our Blessed Lady. We know that the Mother of God has been given great power and therefore we can feel confident in asking her to come to our aid during this crisis, petitioning for an end to this grave situation, for comfort while we are threatened by disease and away from the Sacraments and for the conversion of the world.
There is no time like lockdown to get to know our Mother better and improve our relationship with her. Whether we are individual adults, children or families, we can use this month of May to deepen our Marian piety. To this end, I will pray the Holy Rosary each evening of May (Monday-Friday) in the church at 6pm. Please join me in your isolation, in your homes and families, in praying for our needs at this time and for a rapid end to the pandemic. I invite you to send in any prayer requests by email. One of Mary's titles in her Litany of Loretto is Salus Infirmorum…Health of the Sick. We think of Lourdes—also now in lockdown—where the sick have gathered so often in such numbers, confident of the prayers of our Blessed Mother. We should do the same now each evening during May. You will see that the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes has been brought out from the Grotto so that it may be visible in church during the live-streaming. Let us pray earnestly with Mary for all our needs and that, with a Mother’s love, she will protect us and draw us more into the love of the Blessed Trinity.
May God bless you all and continue to keep us all safe.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Saturday 2 May
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
Sunday 3
11.30am Mass Joyce Harforth RIP
5.30pm Exposition & Benediction
The English Martyrs
Monday 4
9am Mass Intentions of Monica Jones
6pm Holy Rosary
Tuesday 5
9am Mass Anna Kirk RIP
6pm Holy Rosary
St John Payne
Wednesday 6
9am Mass Anna Browning RIP
6pm Holy Rosary
Thursday 7
9am Mass Fr Michael Tenner RIP
6pm Holy Rosary
Friday 8
9am Mass Souls who have died without the Sacraments
6pm Holy Rosary
Saturday 9
10am Mass Intentions of Sister Theresa Canty
10.30-11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Fifth Sunday of Easter
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 10
11.30am Mass Intentions of Sister Mary Juliana
5.30pm Exposition & Benediction
Good Shepherd Sunday: Prayer For Vocations
“Lord Jesus Christ, You have chosen the Apostles and their successors, the Bishops and Priests of the Catholic Church, to preach the true faith throughout the whole world. We earnestly beseech You to choose from among us in this parish, Priests and Religious who will gladly spend their entire lives to make You better known and loved.
Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us
Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us
St Joseph pray for us
St John Vianney pray for us”
Good Shepherd Sunday: Evenings for Enquirers
We are continuing the evenings for enquirers using Zoom (online video). The sessions for enquirers are on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the moment.
Good Shepherd Sunday
This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday when we traditionally pray for vocations to the priesthood for our diocese. Usually on Good Shepherd Sunday the seminarians travel to parishes to speak about vocations. This year three of them, Michael Barwick, Jonathan Burden and Deacon Paschal Uche have recorded video messages in place of this. You can watch them. We continue to have evenings for those who would like to enquire about a vocation to the priesthood. At the moment these are being held online. Please get in touch with Fr Mark Swires for more information. Please continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life and also that all of us may be able to hear what God is asking us to do. Visit us online.
Our Lady of Lourdes School seeks Deputy Headteacher
Application close: noon on 13 May
Shortlist: 15 Ma
Interview: 21-22 May (virtually if necessary)
Start: September 2020
Salary: Group 2, L9-14
The Governors of Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School and Assisi Catholic Trust seek an enthusiastic and inspiring Deputy Headteacher with exceptionally strong values. If you are a practising Catholic and an experienced, enthusiastic and suitably qualified leader please apply to play a key role in building on the school’s successes and reputation. Candidates are encouraged to visit the school.
Details of the post are available on the school’s website. For a telephone conversation or virtual tour call or email Mrs Victoria Blake-Lawson. For an application pack call or email Miss Nikita Parr at the Assisi Registered Office. Send applications by email. We do not accept CVs or applications from agencies. We only contact shortlisted candidates.
We Pray for our Sick
Anne Owen, Adrian Barclay, Patricia Ann Darroch, Peg Larman, Sylvia Clancy, Patricia Vanner, Amy Louise Fox, Sarah Savage, Bill O’Connell, Janet Weale, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, David Kislingbury, Mark Shepherd, Eileen Bines, Breege McCaffrey, Mark Hartley, Austin Butler, John Lavery, Paul Keane, Rosemary Bragard, Pat Lynch, Maureen Gooding, Dympna Addecott, Ben Wilson, Christian Ryan, Mike Rubbert, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Rose Craft, Nan Carrit, Eileen Wilson, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Anthony McEvoy, Justin Stark, Sheila Netherton, David Blyth, Janet Woods, Lynne Hilkene, June Moncaster, Laura & Anne Breen, Breda Lynch, Maria Clark, Roy Widdecombe, Johanna Lynch, Anthony King, Chas Taylor, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Johnnie Pool, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Hugh Isaacs, Josephine Griggs, Colleen Worley, Dawn Deleigh, Lorraine Hart, Linda Dean, Wyn McCafferty, Georgina Cornwell, Antonella McConalogue, Eddie McConalogue, Sharon Levill, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Bernadette Lane, Irena Solecki, Ianto Bellis, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Richard Collins, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Keith Maliff & children Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price & Frazer Gregory.
Please Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr John Kennedy, Canon Thomas Norris, Fr Feargus Saurin, Fr Andrew Dorricott, Canon Patrick Palmer, Canon Basil Booker, Fr John O’Callaghan, Canon Brian Grady, Sarah Coyne, Ronald Turner, Wilhelmina Chalk, Leslie Porter, Anita Dawson, David McClusky, Sybil Figueredo, Elizabeth McCarthy, John Brown, Petronella Jennett, Mary Deyong, Arthur Leftley, Bertha Nesnas, Mary Hardie, Mabel Salter, Dorothy Hosmer, Denys Hale, Charles McLaughlin, Fred Parsons, Arthur Chadwick, Anthony Camelo, Patrick Seanahan, Peggy Choppin, Mary Donovan, Canon Brian Grady.
Please Pray for the Repose of the Souls of
Grahame Addecott RIP who died on Friday 24th April
Mary McKeever RIP who died on Wednesday, 8th April
May
The month of Mary, month of promise!
The month of Mary, month of promise!
Audio version
The audio version is also available as a podcast in iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher
Rosary in May: Intentions & Petitions
We are saying the Rosary at 6pm every weekday evening in May. If you have a prayer intention or petition that you would like mentioned, please email Father Kevin.
Magnificat
The May edition of the Magnificat book is available and can be collected from the box in the Memorial Garden. Monies can be left in the box or put through the Presbytery letterbox.
Third Week of Easter
Saturday 25 April
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
Sunday 26
11.30am Mass Audrey and Selwyn Lewis RIP Anniversary
Monday 27
9am Mass Waldrand Anne Kirk RIP
St Louis de Montfort
Tuesday 28
9am Mass Pauline Kidney RIP
St Catherine of Siena
Wednesday 29
9am Mass Brian Crafter RIP
St Pius V, Pope
Thursday 30
9am Mass Fr John Phelan RIP
St Joseph the Worker
Friday 1 May
9am John and Pat Moon and Valerie Griggs RIP
6pm Holy Rosary
7 Holy Hour & Benediction
St Athanasius
Saturday 2
10am Mass Frances Emmerson RIP
10.30-11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Fourth Sunday of Easter
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 3
11.30am Mass Joyce Harforth RIP
5.30pm Exposition & Benediction
Third Sunday of Easter
On the Sundays throughout Eastertide we shall hear once again the various and familiar accounts of the Resurrection
Dear friends in Christ
On the Sundays throughout Eastertide we shall hear once again the various and familiar accounts of the Resurrection; this Sunday it is the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. On each of these occasions, Jesus lovingly and gently chided them for their lack of belief in what He had promised them. In each of these encounters - and famously in the Gospel of this Sunday - the moment of revelation is the action of Jesus breaking bread with them. This was the expression used by the early Church for the action of the Mass. It is still a central action in the Mass today - not the most sacred one, which is the consecration - but nonetheless it brings to our minds that we recognise The Lord quintessentially in the Holy Mass.
Saturday was the day dedicated to Yahweh in the Old Testament, which God Himself made as a commandment. In the New Covenant, the Day of the Resurrection - Sunday - becomes the day when Christians pay honour to the Creator. This is fulfilled by our participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, offered to the living and the dead. The source and summit of the Christian life. Our participation in the Mass is a joy and privilege and defines us as the People of God.
At this point in time, nobody knows what coming out of lockdown will be like. This is now the sixth Sunday that we have not been able to gather as the Parish Family for Sunday Mass. I understand how this has been a great trial for so many of you. Never since 1208, when England was placed under Interdict for six years by Pope Innocent III, have churches in this country been closed and the Sacraments not publicly celebrated. When we are able to open our churches, and attend Mass and the Sacraments, we must be ready to do so with a renewed zeal and enthusiasm. For many of you I am sure that coming to Mass and Communion again will seem like your First Communion! Indeed, that would be a very good way to think of it and in this way, your Eucharistic thirst and desire will be filled with deeper faith and love. I pray that it will be so for all of us.
As we approach the month of May, let us ask Mary - Woman of Faith - to keep our faith in the Resurrection and in the Mass very vibrant!
God bless you all and keep you in His embrace during this time!
Msgr Kevin Hale