Parish profile - Hemel Hempstead by RCWestminster

Parish Profile

Westminster Record | February 2014

Hemel Hempstead: We shouldn t do separately what we can do together

The close of the Year of Faith Mass, when the three parishes came together for a joint Ma

hen visiting a parish mobile for number on the notice together whenever possible. board and now I redirect This my means that governance a profile in The Record through a Joint Council, as wel it is rare that thelandline priest to it. With three as best activities like Fairtrade, a offers to pick me up in aparishes car to to serve it s the to keep in touch withdone in collaboration. Around go around the parish, as way their peopleonand on top of harvest time each year there is ministry is typically centred everything. a Pulpit exchange for one one parish church. Fr John Sunday when Fr. John and the Byrne, a priest whose energy Three Distinctive Anglican Vicar give the homily for his ministry is infectious, had Communities, Three other ideas. Instead he was Distinctive Churches at each other s services. The final parish on our visi keen for me to see as much of The first church we visited was St. Mary & St. Joseph, his parishes as possible and was St Mark s, the newestBoxmoor, of the original parish in speak to the people who make the three parishes and ratherHempstead where the Hemel up the Catholic community in surprisingly built in the heart office for the three parishes i Hemel Hempstead, a shining of John F Kennedy School.based. Its The Church s simple example of 3 separate parishes location means that students design helps to highlight the working together.. pass it every day on their way stained glass windows in the A Different Type of to lessons and are able to church. One of these celebrate Mass in their year Ministry commemorates the founder of groups, whilst the lightness of the parish, Fr Henry James Hemel Hempstead, the building provides a Harvey, who also set up the Hertfordshire s largest town, has wonderful environment forparishes of Tring, Berkhamsted a lively and growing Catholic prayer and reflection. and Rickmansworth so, as Fr population served by four As well as being used by thesays, there is a long John churches, three of which Fr school, St Mark s also serves the of serving parishes tradition John serves as Parish Priest Ordinariate community in from Boxmoor. along with Fr. Floribert and Hertfordshire for Mass each Deacon Simon. On our way to Capturing the Sunday. St Mark s, Hemel Hempstead After being in the bustle Imagination of Young of West, I asked him how he the school I expected that People the manages the responsibilities next of church we would visit, Following The the tour of the his three churches, not to Church of the Resurrection, churches I met members of the mention his work as chaplain would be far calmer. Thisdifferent was parishes at the new and governor of John F not the case, as the Church is presbytery, built in 2011 thank Kennedy Secondary School,part of a community centre to the contributions from all t along with St. Rose s andwhich St. was hosting a parent and congregations, which includes 2 Cuthbert Mayne Schools and toddler group that day. Fr Johnfor retired priests, Fr. flats the celebration of Mass at HM explained to me that the Bernard Church Scholes and Fr. Brian Prison The Mount, Fr Johniss shared and a number ofReynolds. the This, one of the response was an interesting families there belong to parishioners the said, was a take on modern ministry and Anglican and Free Churches. catalyst for bringing them clos how important technology is Fr for John stressed to me together that , a unity symbolised, it: most visibly, in their joint Ma the Catholic and the other It s a different type denominations, of held in a marquee for the close whilst ministry today. When I first of the Year of Faith in Novembe worshipping separately, are came to the parish I put based my I asked them what they felt on a covenant of working

Good Shepherd Window commemorating Fr James Harvey Page 12

Parish Profile

Westminster Record | February 2014

ass at John F Kennedy School

The youngest member of Hemel Initative for Young Adults (HIYA)

the Dacorum Emergency relationships with other for young was the greatest challenge for their parishes, to which Catholics they to help them sustain Night Shelter (DENS). In total instantly replied: capturing the and develop their faith. the The young people raised over imagination of young people . began with providing group £2,000. Whilst the Hemel activities for 11›14 year olds Hempstead parishes have but has recently grown toSocial Action: Not Just About Money But comparatively young include a young adults group. Community congregations, the parishioners Claire Pritchard, Youth Worker are aware that often whenfor HIYA, said that the new A commitment to social young people leave home either group provides not just a action has not just been for studies or work they social can evening but a chance for embraced by the young people lose contact with the Church young adults to discuss their but by everyone in the and other young Catholics. faith and explore challenging As part of their To address this challenge issues. The young people parishes. have Growing in Faith project the the parishes, in partnership really taken ownership for the people chose to enhance their with Our Lady Queen of All success of HIYA . Creation at Hemel Hempstead The group has also beencharitable activities by forming a local East, formed in 2007 HIYAinvolved in social action, with Caritas body. This both (Hemel Initiative for Youth 12 young people taking part in provides activities for people in Action) to provide young apeople sleep out at St. Albansthe Abbey parishes, in particular older with a sense of communitytoinhighlight the problem members of of the congregation, their parish and build homelessness and raise funds by hosting tea parties and picnics in local parks, and supports those in need through donations to groups including foodbanks, homeless shelters The Statue of the Evangelist in St Mark s Church and community trusts. An unexpected outcome, one of the parishioners told me, was that the new projects brought more people into the life of the parish in the local area, fostering the sense of community. In recognition for its work Caritas received a certificate of appreciation from the local council, a testament to the success of the work which they are doing. Undoubtedly, with so much going on and planned for the future, the good work is likely to continue! St Mary and St Joseph, Hemel Hempstead Boxmoor

“WYD has left me inspired, spiritually enlightened and I loved every second of it.”

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