“Today, I am deeply moved by the honour conferred upon the in Saint Bartholomew’s England and Wales and on the Diocese of Westminster in my appointment as Cardinal by His Holiness . Catholic Church "The Catholic Church in our countries has always had a profound and loving loyalty Fr Tim Edgar to the Holy Father, the Successor of St Peter. This appointment enables me, on Tel:01727 850066 behalf of all, to serve the Pope in a direct and prolonged way. www.saint-barts.info "Personally, this is a humbling moment when I am asked to take a place in this www.rcdow.org.uk/stalbanssouth service of the and in the line of much loved Cardinal Archbishops of [email protected] Westminster. I seek the blessing of Almighty God for these new responsibilities and Registered Charity Number: 233699 I ask for the prayers of all people of faith that I may fulfil them with energy and 19 January 2014 devotion." Archbishop Vincent is the 11th Archbishop of Westminster to be named as a Cardinal. He will join the at the next consistory in Rome on 22 February, the Feast of the Chair of St Peter. Born in Crosby, Liverpool, on 8 November 1945, Archbishop Vincent studied for the priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome from 1963 to 1970, gaining licences in philosophy and theology at the Gregorian University. He was ordained priest in Rome on 21 December 1969 for the Archdiocese of Liverpool. In January 1984, he was appointed general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference in England & Wales. From 1989 to 1996 he was moderator of the Steering Committee of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland. Mgr Vincent Nichols was appointed 2nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, with responsibility for North London, on 24 PEACE SUNDAY S 18 6.00pm Louise Miller (rec dec) January 1992 by Blessed John Paul II. He was named in Su 19 8.30am Freda Haines (rec dec) February 2000 before returning to Westminster in 2009 as Archbishop, successor 10.30am Bridget McKelvey (rec dec) to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, who had reached the retirement age of 75. 5.00pm (TLM) people of the Parish & their needs Archbishop Vincent was elected President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales by unanimous acclamation on 30 April 2009. M 20 12noon feria (wk 2 Yr 2) Len Hancock (anniv) There is a YouTube clip of an interview with the Cardinal elect at: http:// T 21 7.00pm St Agnes private intention www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2573-ZmYgA W 22 9.00am St Vincent intentions of Heather Graham T 23 7.30am feria private intention JUSTIN CROSS F 24 9.30am St Francis de Sales +Vincent, our Archbishop In preparation for ordination and prior to the Cardinal Archbishop's final decision, S 25 9.00am Conversion of St Paul Louise Miller (rec dec) candidates for the Permanent Diaconate must make a profession of faith and swear 3rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME an oath of fidelity in public, which is typically done during Mass in the candidate's S 25 6.00pm Maria Lopez (anniv) parish. This Sunday at the 10.30am Mass, Justin will be making his public Su 26 8.30am Doreen Gridelet (anniv) profession of faith and oath of fidelity. Before Christmas Justin swore two other 10.30am John Ahern (rec dec) oaths, which are not required to be made in public: an oath of freedom and 5.00pm (TLM) people of the Parish & their needs knowledge and an oath of service to the Diocese. Following these oaths, the completion of final assessment forms, and a letter of request for ordination from Mass times and intentions are subject to change if there is a funeral. Justin and a letter of permission to ordain from his wife, Xanthe, to the Cardinal Lauds (Morning Prayer of the Church) is offered every Friday at 9.15am Archbishop, the final decision will be made. Ordinations to the Permanent Diaconate will be held this year on Saturday 19th July at 12.30pm in Westminster Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday 9.30 -10am; 5.15-5.45pm and at call Cathedral. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: after Mass on Saturday morning Parish Centre Bookings: Mrs R Somerset 01727-763326 THERE WILL BE A RETIRING COLLECTION AFTER ALL MASSES THIS [email protected] WEEKEND TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF PAX CHRISTI. Chairman of the Parish Council: Phil Ahern [email protected]

The Parish Office is normally open on Monday and Friday from 9.00 am until 12.00pm (term time only) The Parish Secretary is Mrs Michelle Fitzgerald - [email protected] TODAY’S GOSPEL WEEKLY OFFERINGS John 1: 29-34 12 Jan £1041.80 This Gospel departs from the normal rule of reading Matthew’s Gospel during Thank you for your generosity! year A, presumably because of the importance of Jesus’ baptism to the Epiphany season. John avoids a direct narrative of the baptism of Jesus, New Inspirations : New Music for Lent and Holy Week probably because of claims of the “baptist” sect, which led Matthew to insert the There will be an exciting workshop open to everybody on Saturday 25th January dialogue between Jesus and John, as we saw in last week’s gospel. To narrate 2014 2.00-5.00 in our Church. Run by Frances Novillo (Regional Music Adviser Jesus’ baptism would have made him appear too much like the subordinate of for the Royal School of Church Music, and leader of music in High Barnet parish) John. The evangelist is at pains to correct this impression, from the prologue on it is aimed at both singers and instrumentalists. Already bookings are coming in through the early chapters of the Gospel, and not least in the present passage from all over the southeast! Do come along and help us get new ideas and (“a man who ranks before me, for he was before me”). Instead, the Baptist replan our Easter music, particularly if you have not been involved before! bears witness to the theological meaning of the baptism as it was expressed in Booking in advance essential with [email protected] or ring Peter on the voice from heaven and in the descent of the dove. The latter is explicitly 01727 843309. mentioned (Jn 1:33). The voice from heaven is clearly alluded to in the words “This is the Son of God,” and perhaps also in the reference to the “Lamb of God, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity who takes away the sin of the world.” This too may be an allusion to the Churches Together in Marshalswick have arranged a joint prayer service on 19th identification of Jesus with the servant of YHWH of Second Isaiah. If we ask January in Homewood Road United Reformed Church, at which the Very Rev what this Johannine account of the meaning of the baptism adds to the synoptic Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans, will give an address on the theme ‘Is Christ accounts, two points spring to mind. One is that John makes even clearer than Divided?’ The service takes place at 6.30 pm and will be followed by coffee. Matthew, Mark and Luke that the theological meaning of the baptism is to be Bishop John Crowley, for Bishop of Middleborough, will be preaching at the sought exclusively in the manifestation of Jesus as the servant of YHWH. The Abbey, also at 6.30pm second point is that Jesus’ mission as servant will include his bearing (or taking away) the sin of the world (Is 53). In this way the post-Epiphany season begins Newman Association, Herts Circle to point beyond itself to Passiontide. Sunday 19th January NB: 8.15pm start. Headteacher Required for Scott Albrecht from the Catholic Workers’ Farm will talk about ‘A Fundamental Ss Alban & Stephen RC Junior School, St Albans Option for the Poor’, a crucial aspect of and close to September 2014 start, application deadline 25th February the heart of Pope Francis. Scott speaks from personal experience since he and Due to the retirement after 18 years of our respected Headteacher, the his wife Maria take vulnerable and homeless women and families into their own Governors of this outstanding Catholic school are seeking to appoint an family home. The talk will take place at the church of Our Lady Help of inspirational and enthusiastic leader. The successful candidate will not only Christians, 5 Park Road, Rickmansworth WD3 1HU. It is open to everyone who continue to put our children first, but will bring their own vision and experience is interested: if you would like a lift, please get in touch with Maggy Swift on to lead our successful, well regarded school onto the next stage. 01582 792136, or e-mail [email protected]. For more information go to www.teachinherts.com Archbishop’s Mass of Thanksgiving HCPT Quiz Night Saturday February 1st St Barts Hall for the Sacrament of Matrimony 7.30pm for a prompt 8pm start , Saturday 7th June 2014 at 3pm. One of our major fundraisers for 2014 - a great evening assured - £5.00 per The Archbishop will be inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese who are ticket - an ideal opportunity to support the Parish HCPT as we prepare for celebrating their 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over Lourdes this Easter. Tables of 8 will compete for the main prizes. Please bring 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2014. If you qualify, please your own refreshments both food and drink - for bookings please contact Cathy send to the Parish Office the following details: husband and wife’s names, Lovett at [email protected] or 07879 654284 wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).

Westminster Cathedral Mass in Honour of Our Lady of Lourdes Archbishop to be created Cardinal by Pope Francis This year’s Mass will take place at 2pm on Saturday 8th February. Archbishop The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has named the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Vincent Nichols will preside, and as in previous years, the Mass will include the Archbishop of Westminster, a Cardinal. The announcement came during Pope Sacrament of the Sick. All are welcome, no seat reservations or tickets Francis’s Angelus in St Peter's Square on 12 January, in which he created 15 more elector cardinals and three non-elector cardinals. SVP Meeting Thursday 23 January at 7pm in the Parish Meeting Room. Archbishop Nichols issued the following statement: