CAFOD HARVEST FAST DAY COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND: This Fast Day, CAFOD invites us to fast, pray and give, so we can extend the hand of friendship to the world’s poorest people. Fabiano’s village in rural Uganda has been devastated by drought. Every day, children would trek miles for water, risking their education – and safety. Donations from parishioners across England and Wales helped install a solar powered water pump in the village. Now Fabiano and his friends can collect water quickly and safely. On Family Fast Day, CAFOD invites us to eat a simple meal for lunch or dinner and give the money we save to help children like Fabiano. Please collect a Fast Day envelope from the table in the porch. CANONISATIONS: On Sunday 13th October, Pope Francis will canonise 5 new saints in Rome, including Blessed John Henry Newman and Sr Mariam Thresia Chiramel of Kerala, India. A 9-day "Novena with Newman", starting on 4th October, will be prayed throughout the Church, comprising a decade of the rosary and the following prayer: “O God our heavenly Father, we offer you heartfelt thanks for the life and holiness of John Henry Newman. In him you give us an inspiring example of priest and teacher, heroic and humble in his labour for the salvation of souls and the pursuit of holiness. Through his intercession we ask you to lead us by the kindly light of the Holy Spirit, and so grant us peace and joy, in the one fold of the Redeemer. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.” For details, visit: www.newmancanonisation.com/novena THE GOD WHO SPEAKS: A YEAR OF THE WORD: The Bishops of England and Wales have designated 2020 as 'The God Who Speaks': A Year of the Word to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Pope Benedict’s letter on ‘The Word of the Lord’, and the 1600th Anniversary of the death of St Jerome. This special year with the Bible begins this Monday, 30th September, the feast of St Jerome. Therefore, 2020 will be a year of celebrating, living and sharing God's word, through a range of events, activities and resources, available across the Diocese. SCIMP HARVEST LUNCH ON 29TH SEPTEMBER: At All Saints Church Hall, The Oval, starting at 1:00pm. Please bring a small 'sharing' dessert. Tickets £4.00 per person or £10.00 for a family of 4. Tickets can be reserved by calling Cris 07589103193 or pay at the door on the day. HEALING EVENT WITH THE LITTLE WAY HEALING MINISTRIES (LWHM): On Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November (10am - 5pm; lunch break 12-1pm) in St Vincent De Paul School Bedwell Crescent. Volunteers needed help us run the event. We need help with: running refreshments stall (teas/coffees); preparing lunch for LWHM team and parish volunteers; parking; clearing after the event on Sunday. If you can spare some time to help us in any of those tasks and/or you can offer an accommodation to the LWHM team members then we would love to hear from you. Please contact Marion Godfrey (mobile 07792 057431) or Marta Pluta (07885710522). CONFIRMATION IN 2020: REGISTER NOW: Registration Forms are available from the table in the Porch or can be downloaded from the microsite https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/stevenage. Candidates for Confirmation in 2020 should be in Year 9 (or older) and members of St Joseph’s Parish. Registration th Forms should be returned to the Presbytery no later than Sunday 20 October 2019. LADIES LUNCH: Takes place on Wednesday 2nd October 12noon for 12:15pm at The Coopers next door to Sainsbury’s at the Poplars. Good meals at reasonable prices, warm welcome of new and old diners welcome. BAPTISM COURSE: The next course takes place on Saturday 5th October 10am-12noon in St Joseph’s Church Hall. Please complete a Registration Sheet and return it to the Presbytery Office. RCIA: Starting in the Faith: Maybe you have a family member or adult friend who is not baptised, or was baptised into a different Christian tradition, and who is thinking of becoming a Catholic? We will soon begin our RCIA programme (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), an inspiring and informative course to help those starting out to discover the beauty of our Catholic faith! It is also open to adult Catholics who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation. If interested, leave your name and number at the parish office, or speak to Fr Nigel after Mass. WALSINGHAM ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE: On Sunday 6th October 2019. Please contact Paul Vooght to reserve a place on 07861949101. Please see the poster on the notice board. NURSERY APPLICATIONS FOR 2020 (CHILDREN BORN BETWEEN 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 AND 31ST AUGUST 2017): Nursery applications for the two Catholic schools in Stevenage are now open for September 2020. Application deadline is Friday 29th November 2019. CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE: Please complete both forms and place them in an envelope with your child’s name on the front and leave them in the yellow tray on the table in the porch. HARVEST THANKSGIVING SATURDAY 5TH AND SUNDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2019: On Sunday 6th October at the 10:30am Mass we will have the Harvest thanksgiving service. Over this weekend we will be collecting food for the Stevenage food bank. If you are able, please bring an extra item to donate to the food bank. Tinned foods such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, uht milk or fruit juice, dried goods and toiletries are all required. Thank you for all your help and generosity. Donations to the food bank are very important for individuals and families. .