This week has simply flown by.. and has been super busy. I thought that it might be helpful just to drop you a note as a reminder about what will be happening over the next few days.. Please do also keep a check on our website for updated information and the Sunday message.
BOOKING FOR WEEKDAY AND WEEKEND MASS
Despite now being in Tier 4, we are still currently permitted to celebrate Mass together. Our ‘ Booking system’ can be found on our new website under the ‘Events’ section. Up to 2 seats can be booked online. All other bookings are to be made via the Parish office please ( Mon-Fri 9am-3pm) please leave a message on the answerphone whilst Debbie is away. Bookings are released usually 10 days in advance. If the web site shows that Bookings are ‘closed’, it does not mean that there are not any seats left, it means that the booking is not yet ‘open’. When there are no seats left, it states, ‘ Booking full’. Please do not attend if you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms.
CHRISTMAS MASS TICKETS
The Tickets were posted out last Friday to those who had been successful in the ballot. If you have still not received your ticket by 12pm on Thursday at the very latest please contact the office and a duplicate shall be emailed to you so that you may print it off. This ticket must be brought with you on the night please as it shows the pew number allocated to you, along with your name and the number of seats booked. For those who have been allocated a place, if for any reason you are not able to attend, please do let us know as soon as possible so that your place/s can be reallocated to another parishioner. If you have not been allocated a ticket, please do not turn up just in case as every seat has now been filled. Thank you
MASS TIMES OVER CHRISTMAS
Please remember that all four Masses, (Christmas ‘eve 5pm and 7pm, Christmas Day 9am and 11am) will also be live streamed.
There will also be a special streaming only Midnight Mass at midnight too.
PRIVATE PRAYER AND A VISIT TO THE CRIB
St Joseph’s will be open on Christmas ‘eve from 10am till 4pm and everyone will be most welcome to come, pray quietly and to visit the Crib with their family . We had hoped to have music outside the church but unfortunately this is now not possible due to the restrictions. Thank you to those who have offered help with stewarding. The Church shall be closed at 4pm to allow time to clean before the 5pm Mass.
Fr Peter and Fr Antonio will be available during the day to hear confessions. Please contact the office to make an appointment.
MASSES OVER THE CHRISTMAS OCTAVE
Christmas Eve – 5pm Mass – Ticketed event
Christmas Eve – 7pm Mass – Ticketed event
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with Readings starting at 11.30pm – Livestreamed only
Christmas Day 9am Mass – Ticketed event
Christmas Day 11am Mass – Ticketed event
St Stephens Day – 26 December
10am Mass – Seats can be booked via the website
Sunday 27 December
9am Mass – Seats can be booked via the website
11am Mass – live streamed only
5pm Mass on Sunday 27th December at Holy Cross -Seats can be booked via the website
Monday 28 December
10am Mass- Seats can be booked via the website
Tuesday 29 December- Thursday 31 December
9.30am Mass – Seats can be booked via the website
Friday 1 January 2021
10am Mass -Seats can be booked via the website
CHRISTMAS ZOOM MEETING
Thank you to David and Eleanor who shall be hosting a Christmas Zoom gathering on Christmas Day to celebrate Mass together virtually. Please note that there is a passcode this week which you will need to enter to join which is highlighted below.
Topic: Christmas Day Zoom Mass
Time: Dec 25, 2020 08:30 AM London
Carols will start approximately 08.50
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 730 8666 4171
Passcode: mH799R
CHILDRENS CRIB REFLECTION
Our daily ‘Children’s Crib reflection‘ beautifully presented by Sophie has been recorded and the video uploaded to our livestream link. If you visit www.churchservices.tv/bishopsstortford or visit via our web site, please scroll down the page to ‘Watch videos’ section and you will see a tab entitled ‘ featured videos’. Each day at 3pm a new video will be uploaded when a figure is added to our nativity scene especially for the Children. There will also be a series of reflections for adults on our website too.
VIRTUAL CAROL SERVICE WITH READINGS
Thank you to everyone who watched our ‘ Virtual Parish Carol service‘ featuring Parishioners from St Joseph’s, Holy Cross and Most Holy Redeemer with singing, reading and reflections. We received some wonderful feedback. Thank you to everyone who kindly shared their time and talents to make this possible. Special thanks to Sophie and Fr Antonio for his impressive editing skills. The video will remain on our live screen featured video page so can continued to be watched and enjoyed. It is also available to watch via our website and on YouTube.
ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS 2021-22
If your child was born between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2017, you can apply for a Primary School place to start in September 2021. The application process opens 2nd November 2020 and closes on the 15th January 2021.
CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE
Applicants for St Joseph’s School for RECEPTION places in 2021/22 should download an application for a Certificate of Catholic Practice which can be found on the parish website. Once completed it should then be posted through the letter box of No 3 Windhill marked for Fr Peter’s attention with a stamped addressed envelope please. The certificate will then be posted to you. No personal collection of the certificate is permitted. The school deadline is 15/1/2021
PARISH E- CHRISTMAS CARDS
It’s still not too late to use our Christmas E-cards as thank you cards or even New Year cards ! We have 6 different designs available on line. Thank you to our creatives, Fr Peter, Mike Carroll, Martin Curran and Monica Jacobs for kindly donating their creations and to Fr Antonio and Sophie Sullivan for helping to choose the final 6 cards. Please do take a look! Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far.
ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL
They hope to raise £100k towards the new school building and need your help please! Click on the link below to donate any amount from £5 to £1k. St Joseph’s school began in 1909. Your contributions will benefit the many children who will continue to pass through its doors now and in the future. Thank you.
St. Joseph’s New School (virginmoneygiving.com)
PARISH OFFICE HOURS OVER CHRISTMAS
The Parish Office will be closed from Christmas Day until Monday 4th January 2021 and all emails/ non urgent requests will be responded to upon Debbie’s return. If your enquiry is urgent please leave a message on the answerphone 01279 654063 which will be listened to daily. Thank you.
PARISHIONERS OF THE WEEK
The Christmas award goes to you all! Thank you for your love, support and patience over this rather crazy year. We have seen some amazing acts of kindness and generosity in our parish and we are truly grateful for that. We remember those who have died this year and keep their families in our prayers, those who are sick, lonely, self-isolating or just feeling a bit lost and uncertain about what the future holds. Special thanks along with our love and prayers go to Fr Peter, Fr Carlos and to Fr Antonio who selflessly work 24/7 for the benefit of us all. Thank you also to everyone who has continued to help and generously given their time so willingly in our three churches, making a real difference. It is very much appreciated
To finish this week some beautiful words which I received in a lovely Christmas card..
Here’s to Christmas
A time of remembering
A time of Loving
A time of Giving
A time of Believing
A time to Slow down
A time to Simplify
A time of Magic
A time of Peace
I hope that you all have a truly wonderful Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year!
Best wishes
Debbie