Weekly Bulletin
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Ss Alban and Stephen
Try to Enter by the Narrow Door
It seems that nothing is going right these days. Our ecological system is
tangibly deteriorating. Our financial stability has faltered and is denying
people employment and the comforts of life. Our political history has been
revealed to be one marred with corruption and lies. Our Church structures
have too been laid bare and have been shown to be disfigured and sinful. This
is a time of unrest and disappointment. The psalmist today had also ‘suffered
distress and anguish’. He says, ‘I kept my faith, even when I said, ‘I am
greatly afflicted’: I said in my consternation, ‘everyone is a liar’. But
God is not a liar. It is not of these human things, then, that we hope. It
is in Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Like Isaiah, we are being led from exile to a glorified Jerusalem.
The way is difficult. Life is difficult. These times are the path to the
narrow door, an opportunity to reveal God to others by example and joy despite
the difficulties around us. St Paul urges us in these difficulties times
to lift our drooping heads and strengthen our weak knees. We are a people
of hope with reason to be optimistic. Abraham, our father in faith, trusted
God so much that he was willing to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
Jesus tells us that they both now, along with Jacob and the prophets, have
places reserved for them at the banquet in the Kingdom of God. These present
troubles are not the things by which we should identify ourselves. Rather
we are beloved children, suffering patiently the chastisement of our creator,
who waits at the narrow door, who sees the path we tread and recognises the
place from which we come.
Readings for this Sunday and the week ahead
First
Reading:
Is 66-81-21
The Lord says this: I am coming to gather the nations
of every language
Second Reading: Heb: 12:5-7, 11-13
So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out
the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow
strong again.
Gospel:
Lk 13:22-30
Men from east and west will come to take their places at the feast in the
kingdon of God.
Monday to Saturday
II Th: 1: 1-5. 11-12; Mt 23:
12-22
Rev 21: 9-14; Jn 1: 45-51
II Th 3: 6-10. 16-18; Mt 23: 27-32
I Cor 1: 1-9; Mt 24: 42-51
I Cor 1: 17-25; Mt 25: 1-13
I Cor 1: 26-31; Mt 25: 14-30
Full Readings
Click here to check any bible readings online (opens in a new
window)
People
Baptism We
welcome into the Christian community Cloa Hanna Cleart, Julius Mark
Pointer and Luca Andrea Masi who
were baptised recently. We
also offer our congratulations to their parents.
Please pray for all who are illat
this time including Enda Walker, Mary Kiely, Bethan Larking, John
Yuill, Conrad Wellstead, Alan Pinnock, Stephen Thwaites, Hermie Haniff, Peter
McGeeney and Antonia Gramegna, may the Lord comfort them in their illness..
Pray for the repose
of the souls of Irene Przeslak, Salvatore Davino & Zoltan
Csobotall
who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time
Helen & Vincent O’Reilly sincerely
thank all their friends and family for the cards, flowers and gifts on the
occasion of their Diamond Wedding anniversary. Special thanks also to the
clergy, the sisters at Maryland and all of you for sharing our joy. A
Mass of thanksgiving will be held for your intentions.
Jim Naisbiit - Gaza visit Parishioner Jim
Naisbitt has now set off, on a 2-week visit to Gaza. He hopes his trip will
include Mass at the Holy Family Church and a visit to the Church’s Junior
and Girls’ Senior schools. Please remember him in your prayers. If there
is anything (small) anyone would like to send or have brought back. Call
(853100) or e-mail jim_naisbitt@talk21.com
Children and Youth Worker We are delighted
to announce that Joanna French has been appointed Children and
Youth Worker of our Parish. She will take up her post at the beginning of
September. Joanna is from the West Midlands and at present works for a
parish in Birmingham. We are in no doubt that all of us will give Joanna
our full support and we pray that she will be a real blessing to our parish.
Are you new to the Parish? You are very....
Finances and Offerings
Weekly Offering Last week’s offertory amounted to £2,268. Many thanks for your generosity.y.
Pakistan Flooding
The CAFOD collection for aid to Pakistan totalled £3,333.
Donations to help the victims of Pakistan can be put into the black box at
the back of the Church. We will continue to collect funds for the next three
months.
Kenyan Orphan Project Parishioner
Rachel Walsh would like to extend a big thank you to all those who donated
to the project this summer. KOP sponsors 70 children to attend school, provides
a shelter, meals and education for around100 homeless children and provides
funding for 2 hospitals and a school. The money raised over the last few
months has been split between these projects as well as being used to buy
necessities such as soap, toothbrushes, underwear, shoes and first aid equipment.
After visiting and helping at each of the projects, Rachel can assure us
that the smallest of our donations and prayers has made a huge difference
to many people’s lives.
KSC Bingo Many thanks to all those who
attended the KSC’s recent bingo evening. £180 was raised for a Mission
school in Batam, Indonesia. Next bingo on Friday, 10th September, 8pm in
the Parish Hall. Proceeds in aid of Fr. Con’s Mission in Russia..
Tshwaranang Aids Hospice The May collection for the
MSC led hospice in South Africa was £494. In April we received
£314 making a grand total of £808 since Easter.This total
includes money from the sale of tea towels. Many thanks to all parishioners
who support this cause.
...Welcome... Witamy... Benvenuti...
isten hosottt.... Witajte... Failte
Please feel free to introduce yourself to one
of our priests after Mass
or call in at the presbytery.
You
can also pick up
a new parishioner registration card from the
back of the Church, or
simply
download one here, fill it in, and hand
it in at the presbytery.
DIARY
August 2010
Wednesday, 18th August, Mercy
Associates The next meeting is 8pm at Maryland. All are welcome.
Other Parish News
New
Beacon Remember your parish magazine
on your holiday! Bring back a story about something that inspired you on
your travels. Send to sara.nash@scilet.com or drop it in to the presbytery.
Parish Friends Parish Friends would like
to thank all who have supported events this year. Special thanks to the
Folk Group who have been magnificent and entertained us all superbly at
the strawberry and cream tea party. Forthcoming events: Parish Friends
will be showing the film ‘Charade’ in the Parish Hall on Sunday, 12th September,
2pm-4pm. Light refreshments will be served. All welcome. A Mystery Tour
is also being arranged on Sunday, 26th September, for all parishioners (possibly
not suitable for children as we will be on the coach for long periods).
There will be stops for coffee, lunch and tea. There will be plenty of places
to buy lunch but packed lunches can be brought if preferred. The coach will
be leaving from St Albans City Station at 9.15am and returning around 7pm.
Car parking at the station is £1 on a Sunday – please do not park
at the Church. The cost of the coach plus tip for the driver is £13.50
per head. Please leave cheques in the presbytery payable to SS Alban &
Stephen Church. Call Helen Bassill (852250) for details.
First Holy Communions 2011
Enrolment forms are now available for children starting
Year 3 in September and wanting to make their First Holy Communion in 2011.
Please take a form and accompanying letter from the back of the Church.
All completed yellow forms to be returned to the presbytery by 30th September
at the latest.
Adults Journeying in Faith (RCIA) News Our adult journeying in faith programme will commence
in September. If you, a friend or relative:
· Want to complete your Catholic initiation
e.g. to be confirmed in your faith
· Are the spouse/partner of a Catholic and
would like to know more about joining our
Catholic community
· Want to become a Christian e.g. Baptism,
Eucharist, Confirmation
· Just curious about the Catholic Christian
way of life
· Want to share and know more about your
faith as a Catholic
Please contact Deacon Steve Pickard (863925), e-mail Stephen.pickard@talktalk.net
or Daniela Pipe (831299) or any of the clergy (853585) e-mail alban_stephen@lineone.net
Form Signing – Message from Fr. Charles We are blessed in this Parish with very good schools
and it is encouraging that so many of you want a Catholic education for
your children. It is great to meet you, the parents, when you come to get
the school admission forms signed and to see that you are a committed and
practising family. It is very easy, and indeed a joy, to sign for many of
you that I know from meeting at Mass and at other Church functions. A very
real problem that we the priests here face is that we do not recognise some
parents that come to have forms signed. This is maybe due to the fact that
we have missed meeting some of you. To overcome this, I would like to encourage
you to make yourselves known to us at Church. It is very difficult for us
the priests, and I think unfair, to be asked to sign a form that states
that a family is a practising family, when we do not know them. To all
you mothers and fathers that make such a great effort to support and bring
your children to Church on a regular basis I say thank you and assure you
of our continued support and admiration for your commitment..
Going into Hospital? In the light
of the Data Protection Act (1988) please indicate on entering
hospital that your details may be passed to the RC Chaplain.
Also state that you would like a member of the RC Chaplaincy team
to visit you. If you, or a relative, are admitted to hospital, and
would like a visit, please ensure that you ask ward staff to pass
your name to the hospital chaplain, or contact 01727 897254 (for Watford,
Hemel Hempstead and St Albans hospitals) and 01923 844487 (for Mount
Vernon Hospital). The Chaplain for QEII Hospital, Welwyn Garden City
and the Lister Hospital in Stevenage is Bernadette Cassidy (07884187463),
pager (07659 109 457) or direct line for non urgent calls (01707
365520). In an emergency a priest can be contacted via the hospital
switchboard.
St John Fisher School Places
A number of places will be available
across the Junior classes from September due to families moving. If you
would like to visit the school please call the office (861077).
SS Alban & Stephen
Junior School There are also some recently available places at SS Alban
& Stephen Junior School, Cecil Road. For more information, or to
arrange a visit, please call the school (866668) or www.ssasjm.herts.sch.uk
Technology Technician Loreto College is seeking
to recruit a technology technician to work term time only (30 hours per
week). The successful candidate will assist in the preparation of lessons,
exemplar work/projects and display materials, as well as ordering, maintaining
and assisting with the use of equipment. Experience is not necessary, but
numeracy and literacy skills are essential. Further information via www.loreto.herts.sch.uk
Please e-mail your CV to stoms@loreto.herts.sch.uk by Tuesday, 20th July
School Crossing Patrol SS
Alban & Stephen Infant School is urgently looking for someone who
would be interested in being a school crossing patrol. The pay is £6.60
per hour. If you are interested please call the Hertfordshire Road Safety
Unit on 01992 556815.
National Youth Prayer Competition Entries are invited
for a national competition organised by the Knights of St Columba.
The competition is open to young people 13-18 years of age and attending
secondary school. It is not open exclusively to schools but members of
any youth group, church group or an individual may take part. Prayers should
relate directly to the theme ‘A Prayer for Priests’. Prizes: Winner - £100,
2nd place - £75, 3rd place - £50. Entries should be submitted
to Patrick McNulty, c/o The Presbytery by 31st July. Enquiries to Patrick
(831812)
Church of the Holy Family
in Gaza Parishioner Jim Naisbitt
has received a letter from the parish priest of the Church of the Holy
Family in Gaza, Fr. Manuel Musallam. Click here to read the letter. Fr. Manuel can be
contacted, with our prayers and good wishes, by e-mail at mussallammanuel@yahoo.com.
For more information call Jim (853100).
Centre 33 Volunteers
needed to help out in the soup kitchen, 7.30pm-9.30pm, once a month.
Contact Fr. Alan for details (853585).
Wanted – Religious Items for
the Missions in Africa The Knights of St Columba would welcome
any religious items to send to the Missions in Africa. If you have any
unwanted statues, old vestments, pictures, books, rosaries, medals etc
please leave them in the box marked ‘Religious items for the Missions in
Africa’ situated in the Church porch.
DIARY
September 2010 & Beyond
Saturday and Sunday, 4th & 5th September. Art@Trinity Do you paint, sculpt,
embroider or whittle? Trinity URC is planning an art exhibition to
be held on Saturday and Sunday, 4th & 5th September.
Would you like to take part? Contributions are invited
from church groups or individuals, but all art works should have a
religious theme.
For more information or to register interest, please contact
Fiona Smith (862045) or e-mail: fionaahislop@gmail.com
Sunday, 12th September Mass for People with Special Needs
St Dominic’s School, Southdown Road, Harpenden. Start
at 2.30pm with hymns followed by Mass at 3pm. Picnic in the school grounds/hall
to finish at 5.30pm. All very welcome. Any enquiries of help with transport
please call P.J. Lynch-Kelly (01582 769633 or 07710 445 664).
Wednesday, 15th September, Baptism Course The next pre-baptism session will be
held on Wednesday, 15th September, 7.45pm in the Parish Hall. Parents who
wish to baptise their FIRST child need to attend. To book a place on this
course please call the presbytery on 853585. If you would like to baptise
your FIRST child you will be unable to secure a baptism date before attending
this session. Baptisms are held on Sundays at 1pm. If you live outside
our Parish it is necessary to have a letter from your Parish Priest giving
permission to baptise here. Help Wanted – A Chance to Share
your Faith
Baptism is a special time for new parents and families. The opportunity
to share that joy is a gift. If you would like to help young families learn
about baptism in the Christian faith we would like to hear from you. Help
required is minimal of an evening every two months; welcoming new families
into the Parish, making tea, and if you want, sharing your experience
in the Christian community. Please contact Fr. Charles.
24th - 27th September National Shrine of St Pio, Weekend retreat, Pantasaph,
North Wales. Leader: Fr. Louis Maggiore OFMCap. Includes visit to centuries-old
shrine of St Winefride. Cost, inclusive of three nights full-board accommodation,
£115. For details contact David Edwards (765216) Sunday, 3rd October Day of Recollection Maryland Convent, , 10am-4pm.
Fr. Rod Jones will lead the day. All welcome.
Saturday, 16th October, International
Rosary for World Peace Saturday, 16th October, 3.30pm in the
Church. Would you be willing to represent your country by leading a decade?
Please contact Stella (839987) or Margaret (763832).
Diary - Ongoing Events
Explore the Scriptures Every Wednesday in the Parish Hall after 10am
Mass. Accompanied by Fr. Alan on the New Testament and Pat
Williamson on the Old Testament. All welcome. Please bring a bible
if possible.
Catholic Mass is celebrated
at the Abbey every Friday at 12 noon Irish Dancing For children
aged 4+. Classes every Tuesday (term time) in
the Parish Hall. Beginners from 5.30-6.30pm and
Advanced from 5.30-7pm. For details please telephone 850801.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
In the Prayer Room on the first
Friday of each month.
Kids’ Choir Kids’
Choir meets every fortnight after 9.30am Mass in the hall while
parents have a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits in Room 1. Open to all
children in Years 2 and 3. Kids’ Choir Mass on Sunday, 14th March
at 9.30am. Rehearsal for this Mass will be held at the session on
Sunday, 7th March.
New
Parish-Run Mum & Toddler Group
A chance for new mothers
to meet with others in this Parish led group.
These gatherings take place in the Parish Hall every
Monday (starting again on Monday, 5th January) after 10am
Mass from 10.30am to 12pm. We hope to see
many of our mums and/or dads joining us for a cup of tea and
a chat! Games and toys for the children will be provided.
Divine Mercy Group:
With the
Stations of the Cross every Friday, 3pm, in the Prayer
Room. All very welcome.
The Rosary is
said every morning after Mass, and every Friday
8pm to 9pm in the prayer room. Everybody welcome.
The Miracle Rosary CDs are available from the repository.
£4 each. JIGSAW
(Jesus is Good
and So Are We) Youth group for those in school years 7-9,
meets every Thursday from 7-8.30pm in the Parish Hall.
For details visit the website www.sasyouth.com/jigsaw.
SS Alban & Stephen Football
Academy With
the help of a FA accredited instructor every
second Sunday we will train children in Year 1 in
a non-competitive atmosphere. We will use the values
of teamwork and fair play as a way of helping the children
learn and grow. The sessions will take place in the sports
ground of Nicholas Breakspear School from 3pm to 4pm. New
members welcome. For details contact Br. Alan at bralan@sasyouth.com
or on 853585.
Exercise at Maryland
Pilates Method on Tuesdays.
The exercises are remedial to help people return to normal
fitness/ recover from illness/surgery/back problems
etc. Bring a padded mat - flat cushion. Qualified
instructor/ pilates/ medau/feldinkras. Back care advisor/trained
nurse. To find out if these exercises are suitable for you
please call 01707 371816.
Every second Sunday IGNITE –
Youth Group and Café Have you made your
confirmation? Want somewhere to chill out and be
yourself? Then this could be the place for you… Parish
Hall, after 7pm Mass every fortnight. Cost: 50p. Music, table
football, Wii, Table Push Hockey, Drinks for free, snacks for
sale. Anyone under 18 will require parental consent. For
a form e-mail bralan@sasyouth.com
The Friars, Aylesford, All Night Vigils First Saturday of each
month: 3rd July, 7th August, 4th September and 2nd October, 10pm-6am,
at the Friars, Aylesford, Kent. For details e-mail: pilgrim@thefriars.org.uk
Ss Alban and Stephen
Up to Date News....
Pope Benedict XVI Visit
Thank you to all who have enrolled to attend the events in Hyde Park and
in Birmingham. The lists are now closed. All those who were successful
in securing a place will be notified by your pilgrim leader in due course
New Beacon
Remember your parish magazine on your summer holiday!
Bring back
a story about something that inspired you on your travels. Send to sara.nash@scilet.com
or drop it in to the presbytery.
Notes from the Parish
Assembly
(Weds, 7th July)
At our meeting we reviewed the exciting things that have happened in the
past two years but more importantly we planned for next year.
... click
here to read the notes from the meeting
First
Reading: 
Jim Naisbiit - Gaza visit Parishioner Jim
Naisbitt has now set off, on a 2-week visit to Gaza. He hopes his trip will
include Mass at the Holy Family Church and a visit to the Church’s Junior
and Girls’ Senior schools. Please remember him in your prayers. If there
is anything (small) anyone would like to send or have brought back. Call
(853100) or e-mail jim_naisbitt@talk21.com
Children and Youth Worker We are delighted
to announce that Joanna French has been appointed Children and
Youth Worker of our Parish. She will take up her post at the beginning of
September. Joanna is from the West Midlands and at present works for a
parish in Birmingham. We are in no doubt that all of us will give Joanna
our full support and we pray that she will be a real blessing to our parish.
Kenyan Orphan Project Parishioner
Rachel Walsh would like to extend a big thank you to all those who donated
to the project this summer. KOP sponsors 70 children to attend school, provides
a shelter, meals and education for around100 homeless children and provides
funding for 2 hospitals and a school. The money raised over the last few
months has been split between these projects as well as being used to buy
necessities such as soap, toothbrushes, underwear, shoes and first aid equipment.
After visiting and helping at each of the projects, Rachel can assure us
that the smallest of our donations and prayers has made a huge difference
to many people’s lives.
The Rosary is
said every morning after Mass, and every Friday
8pm to 9pm in the prayer room. Everybody welcome.
The Miracle Rosary CDs are available from the repository.
£4 each.
JIGSAW
(Jesus is Good
and So Are We) Youth group for those in school years 7-9,
meets every Thursday from 7-8.30pm in the Parish Hall.
For details visit the website 
Every second Sunday IGNITE –
Youth Group and Café Have you made your
confirmation? Want somewhere to chill out and be
yourself? Then this could be the place for you… Parish
Hall, after 7pm Mass every fortnight. Cost: 50p. Music, table
football, Wii, Table Push Hockey, Drinks for free, snacks for
sale. Anyone under 18 will require parental consent. For
a form e-mail bralan@sasyouth.com 
New Beacon