ST JOSEPH'S PLAYGROUP
North Road, Hertford, SG14 2BY : Will soon be considering applications for children to start Playgroup in September 2008.  If your child was born between September 2005 and August 2006 and you would like them to be part of a safe, secure and stimulating Playgroup, please complete an application form.  These are available from the School Office or from Charlotte Grimes (01992 414776)  Please ensure our completed form is returned by Friday 8th June.

MOTHERS & TODDLERS GROUP
Fridays in the Church Hall from 10 - 11.30 am.

9th HERTFORD BROWNIES
The Brownies meet each Thursday in the Church Hall 6:15pm - 7:30pm.  Any girls between the age of 7 and 10 wishing to join should contact Emily Hakansson on 07917 776216

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
This year is the 150th anniversary of the Apparitions at Lourdes as well as our own 150th anniversary. Seven parishioners, led by Deacon Timothy Marsh will be joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage from 19th-26th July. We travel by train; Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris, then TGV direct to Lourdes. Anyone who wishes to have a petition taken to Lourdes should drop it in to the presbytery, or give it to the parish clergy. 

OUR OWN 150TH ANNIVERSARY
1858 saw the building of our own church and we are having celebrations throughout the year. On Sunday 10th February Abbot Aidan Bellinger OSB celebrated the 1030am Mass and preached about the history of the Church in Hertford both pre- and post-reformation.. Cormac Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor  celebrated the 1030am Mass on Sunday 13th April and preached. In September there will be another Flower Festival, whilst in November we will journey to Westminster Cathedral on pilgrimage for our own Mass in the Vaughan Chantry. Further information on these and other events in due course.

WORLD YOUTH DAY - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Some 9 young parishioners have signed up to go to Sydney, Australia for the World Youth Day with Pope Benedict in July. They are now busy fundraising and offers of help (and money!) will be welcome. Over £4,000 has been raised so far. One parishioner, Dr Gerry McCabe ran the Seville Marathon on Sunday 24th February, and raised c.£2,400 in sponsorship towards the trip. Our thanks to Gerry for this wonderful effort and gesture. A Quiz Evening on 7th June raised another £742. So far our youngsters are between Papua New Guinea and Darwin on our globe of progress so just the final push will see them to Sydney. Our Mid-Summer Lunch on Sunday 29th June sees an "Auction of Promises & Gifts" towards the final amount needed.