Parish of the Holy Child & St Joseph
Midland Road, Bedford
by Marguerite Cook
The soldier with the gun seemed friendly. However, his dog eyed me suspiciously. The soldier was guarding the road that leads to Chicksands Priory in Bedfordshire. This was my first visit to see Chicksands Priory, which now stands on land owned by the military.
Chicksands Priory was home to a Gilbertine Order of Nuns, lay-sisters, Canons and lay-brothers. The Gilbertines were founded by St. Gilbert, and were the only purely English Monastic Order.
We celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady this Friday 15th August, a Holy Day of Obligation.
This commemorates the assumption of Our Lady body and soul into heaven. From her place in heaven she prays for us her children. Let us resolve to grow like Our Lady in holiness of life by seeking the will of God and so join her one day in the kingdom of heaven.
Mass times are at 7:30am, 10:45am and 7:30pm.
Please note that the Mass in Our Lady’s is at 7.30pm.
Sunday 27th July
The Biennial Procession of Faith will take place in Bedford on Sunday 27 July, leaving St Joseph’s church at 1.30 pm and walking through the centre of Bedford up to the main Park. Here there will be an open-air service concluding with Benediction at about 3.30 pm. Please come along and join in; two years ago 1400 people did just that.
[Read more…] about Biennial Procession of Faith
Congratulations to…
Leon & Gertrude Lewis
Peter & Dylis Willis
Both couples celebrate 60 years of marriage in 2014. Canon Seamus presented them each with a Papal blessing granted by Pope Francis.
by Marguerite Cook
It was a crisp winter morning when two black horses; their beautiful coats gleaming; pulled the hearse through the red brick entrance lodge into Bedford cemetery. The horses pulled a light load, a coffin containing the body of Johnny aged nine years. Later in the day, the horses would pull the coffin of his best friend Tom, aged eight.
[Read more…] about CANON JOHN WARMOLL, OUR APOSTLE OF BEDFORD
by Marguerite Cook
850 Years Celebration
In the presence of kings, O Lord, I will declare your will, for your commands have been my delight (Psalm 119, 46-47)
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was born in London in the year 1118. Thomas was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170 by four knights after coming into conflict with King Henry II. Thomas and King Henry had been friends, and Thomas had been Chancellor of England before becoming head of the English church.
[Read more…] about St Thomas of Canterbury – Diocesan Patron