PRAYING TOGETHER FOR THE CHURCH, THE WORLD, THE PARISH & ONE ANOTHER

CONFESSIONS: Saturday’s from 11:30am & 5.15pm - 5:35pm EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Saturday 5.15pm - 5.40pm

THE HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER: Christians in Asia, bearing wit-ness to the Gospel in word and deed, may promote dialogue, peace and mutual understand-ing, especially with those of other religions.

SUN 29

OCTOBER

6.00pm Vigil 8.00am

9.30am 11.00am

2.15pm 5.00pm

Elizabetta Montalbano Thanksgiving Intention of Susan Jose Baggayan Anniv Thomas Ho RIP Polish Mass Belle Howard RIP

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

MON 30 OCT 8.30am 10.00am 12 noon

Joseph Anthony RIP Francesco Morrone Funeral Marcus Quinlivan RIP

feria

TUES 31 OCT 8.30am

12 noon 7.00pm

Marlene David for a speedy recovery William O’Rouke RIP Polish Vigil Mass for All Saints

feria

WED 1 NOV 8.30am

12 noon 7.00pm

Mrs Noreen Harvey Alec & Ignas Wojaczek RIP George Glynn Intention

ALL SAINTS - HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

THUR 2 NOV 8.30am 12 noon 7.00pm

All Souls All Souls Polish Mass

ALL SOULS

FRI 3 NOV

8.30am

12 noon Christina McElhatton Anniv Holy Souls

feria

SAT 4 NOV 11.00am 6.00pm Vigil

Holy Souls Josephine Samakomva Anniv

St Charles Borromeo

HOLY MASS INTENTIONS

MAKING CONTACT AT HOLY ROOD Parish Priest: Fr. Shaun Richards shaunrichards@rcdow.org.uk ( Opt 3) Assistant Priest:: Fr Joseph Okoro josephokoro@rcdow.org.uk (Opt 4) Deacon: Rev. Neville Dyckhoff nevilledyckhoff@rcdow.org.uk ( Opt 5) Parish Secretary: Deirdre Edwards watford@rcdow.org.uk ( Opt 2) Family Worker: Siobhan Garibaldi siobhangaribaldi@rcdow.org.uk ( Opt 6)Hall Bookings: via the office or watford@rcdow.org.uk (Office Hours Mon-Fri, 10am to 1pm) Address: Holy Rood House, Exchange Road, Watford. WD18 0PJ. (01923) 224085

website: www.holyroodrc.com. Facebook.com/HolyRoodWatford Charity No: 233699 Other Parish Contacts: Safeguarding Representative: Siobhan Garibaldi 07929 490090 Hospital Chaplain: Colette Lennon 01923 217994

TEXT GIVING THROUGH YOUR MOBILE PHONE: Easy, safe, convenient, do it anytime. Text: “Parish HROOD” to 70800 to donate £5 to Holy Rood Parish. Thank you.

Ho

ly R

oo

d

Ca

tho

lic

Ch

urc

h,

Wa

tfo

rd

Sunday cycle Readings Year A

Weekday readings Year 1

Divine Office 2

Sunday 29th October 2017

Readings for today are on page 146 of the Parish Mass Book

TODAY’ MASS

“Love God and your neighbour”

God is love and he made us in his own

image. We love him with all our heart,

soul and mind because through his

grace the pattern of our life-style is

changed. We love our neighbour

knowing that God lives in them also.

We must help them in every way to

show the quality of our love.

First Reading: Exodus 22:20-26 The Israelites had themselves been poor strangers in the land of Egypt. On this account they were to love the poor and strangers as themselves, just as God himself is full of pity.

Second Reading: First letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians1:5-10 By imitating the Lord, St. Paul had become a model for the Thessalonians. By their imitation of him, they become an example for the provinces round about. The Good news is spread by the witness of one’s life.

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40 Jesus states that the love of God and of one’s neighbour sums up all the law. The Old Testament distinguished the two; he makes such love the single command of the new covenant. This was his stance with regard to endless distinc-tions made by the Rabbis of his time.

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES AND PARENTS:

MEETING THIS THURSDAY 2nd NOV 6.45-8.00PM PARISH CENTRE. ALSO…. The initial orientation session is this Saturday 4th Nov, from 9:30am - 3pm at the Parish centre. Attendance is mandatory and could everyone bring along with them their packed lunch since there may not be an opportunity to leave the premises before the finish time. Many thanks, Fr Joseph

ALTAR SERVERS Thank you to those Altar Servers who pitched up to serve at the daily Masses during half term, we appreciated your help greatly!

THE SCAFFOLDERS ARE COMING! Work will begin to erect scaffolding around the tower for the repairs to the high level stonework in the first part of November. Whilst the scaffolding is being erected access to the church via Percy Road will sometimes be restricted. Market Street entrance will be open as normal. The Masses will continue as normal. Please keep our repair work, scaffolders and stonemasons in your prayers.

ALL SAINTS DAY: this coming Wednesday 1st Nov is a holy day of obligation when Catholics are expected to attend Mass. Masses in church will be:

8.30am, 12.00 noon and 7.00pm St Anthony’s school at 10.00am Holy Rood school at 2.00pm

BLESSING OF GRAVES Vicarage Road Cemetery: Sat 11th Nov at 1.00pm North Watford Cemetery Sun 12th Nov at 1.00pm

7 DAY MEMORIAL CANDLES which will be burnt in the chapel dedicated to St John are available to buy from the Repository. You can collect a label for your candle, write the names of your loved ones to be remembered and then return it The cost is £5. It would be a fitting memorial if we were able to keep the glow of the candles

continuous for the whole of the month. NOVEMBER DEAD LISTS are available at the back of the church. Please return them to the clergy when complete. BEREAVEMENT GROUP. If you have suffered a bereavement or know anyone in recent months who has and would like some support. Please contact us on 01923 243658 or contact the Parish Secretary on 01923 224085.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION REGISTRATION FORMS. The closing date for applications is Sunday 12th Nov. If you attend another parish for Mass, you need to register there for sacramental preparation. The clergy will be meeting with parents and each child on Thursday 16th Nov from 6pm in the Parish Centre (Meeting of Election), this is in order to assess if your child is ready to start on the programme. Children will be asked by the clergy to demonstrate they can make the sign of the cross, say the Our Father and say the Glory be. These are commonly used prayers.

MASS ATTENDANCE CARDS: please ensure your child’s name and photograph is on the card in order to collect stickers. We cannot distribute stickers to people without cards. It is well worth taking a photograph of your card at regular intervals in the event of its loss. Many thanks

PARENTS Please do not leave your children unattended whilst in church, especially near the candle stands. Our wonderful children behave beautifully at Mass in school and in assembly, so they know what is expected of them during the Holy Mass in church

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY DIED Francesco Morrone, Julia Fleming, Thomas Hanrahan, Rosina Faretta

ANNIVERSARIES OF THE DEPARTED Christina McElhatton, Jose Baggayan,

Jim Timmons, Joseph Anthony, Eternal rest grant to them O Lord

PARISH CENTRE DIARY FOR THE WEEK

Sun 29 Tea and coffee after 11am Mass

Mon 30 Cocaine Anonymous 7.00pm

Wed 1 RCIA 8.00pm

Thu 2 Nov Confirmation parents & candidates 6.45pm

Fri 3 Nov First Friday Lunch 12.30pm

Alcoholics Anonymous 8.00pm

Sat 4 Nov Confirmation session 9.30am

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT LAMP is sponsored this week by Perlita and Florie for

Jose Baggayan & Victoria Baggayan Anniv

ALTERNATIVES BABY BOXES Thank you for your wonderful response to the appeal for baby items. Donations of baby soap, bath wash, talc or petroleum jelly and cotton wool balls will be particularly welcome.

PLEASE PRAY … On the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Abortion Act in 1967. Our prayer is for all whose innocent lives have been taken during these 50 years; for all who have suffered trauma through abortion; for a conversion of hearts and minds with regard to the God-given dignity of every human life; for God’s mercy on us all. Lord hear us.

NOT TO BE MISSED! Chris Ramsey, a member of the parish flower arranging team, is giving us another of her very popular demonstrations on Tuesday 14th November at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. The theme this year is ‘Flowers around the Home at Christmas’. This CWL event is open to all, so do come along and bring your friends with you. All the beautiful arrangements will be prizes in the raffle and all proceeds will be given to CWL charities.

BAPTISM PREPARATION COURSE - the next course will be on 26th November. Parents and children should be attending Mass here weekly as a matter of course, before requesting the sacrament. All initial enquires should be made to Deacon Neville whose contact details are overleaf.

FIRE WARDENS - we have three volunteers so far but we need a minimum of 10. This is a

requirement of our Health & Safety policy. You don’t have to fight the fire!!! - just open the doors to ease evacuation. A deanery training session has been organised for Saturday 11th Nov at 9.30am in Garston Parish contact the Parish Office if you can help. Thank you.

IRISH HOLY ROOD SUPPORT GROUP ANNUAL DANCE Saturday 18th November 8.30pm at Holy Rood Social Club, Tolpits Lane, Watford. Tickets £5. Contact Elizabeth Timmons 07799 108 092.

ASCENT/ LIFE ASCENDING GROUP will meet on Tuesday 7th November for a Bring and Share Curry Lunch (main dish will be provided by a member) - to be held in the Parish Centre after midday Mass and the Rosary. Everyone is welcome to this popular meal. Everyone is welcome to this popular meal. There will also be details of the Pantomime Outing. Contact Winnie on 01923 334998 for more details.

SVP FIRST FRIDAY LUNCH This Friday 3rd November after the midday Mass. Soup, roll, cake, tea/coffee. £2. All welcome

WEEKLY COLLECTION Envelopes £887.71 Loose £904.28

SWITCH OFF your phone and SWITCH

ON your heart and mind to the Lord