Parish of the Holy Child & St Joseph

Midland Road, Bedford

The Six Catholic Priests Buried In Bedford Cemetery

by Marguerite Cook

Bedford Cemetery has become one of the prettiest cemeteries in England, and is beautifully cared for by the ground-staff and the Friends of Bedford Cemetery. It was opened in June 1855 by the Victorians of Bedford who loved to walk among its beautiful woodland trees. The cemetery is set on a sloping hillside with views over the adjoining Bedford Park and Great Ouse Valley.

In Bedford Cemetery are buried six Catholic priests. These priests lie in pairs in the cemetery. [Read more…] about The Six Catholic Priests Buried In Bedford Cemetery

Month Of October

Within the Catholic faith, the month of October holds a special devotion to the Holy Rosary. This tradition began in October 1571 following victory in battle by the Catholic League over the forces of the Ottoman Empire. After the victory a Rosary procession was offered, and in time the whole month of October became associated with the Rosary.

The Rosary is primarily a scriptural prayer. Pope Pius XII summarized it as “a compendium of the entire Gospel” (AAS 38 [1946] p.419). The Rosary draws its mysteries from the New Testament which we are called to meditate on whilst we pray. [Read more…] about Month Of October

WELCOME FATHER ROY

This week we welcome Fr Roy Karakkattu from Kerala, India, to the parish as our new assistant priest. Here he has written a few words about himself:

“I was born in Kerala, one of the tiny states in India. We are seven in the family and basically engage ourselves in agriculture. After the matriculation, I joined the congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales (MSFS). I had my Philosophical studies in Suvidya College, Bangalore and Bachelor degree under Bangalore University. [Read more…] about WELCOME FATHER ROY

FAREWELL TO FATHER MICHAEL

At the beginning of September, Fr Michael will be moving on to become Parish Priest of St Martin de Porres, Luton. He has been with us for two years, and it will be very sad to see him go. There will be a leaving Mass for him at St Joseph’s on Monday 1st September at 7:30pm, followed by refreshments in the Guild Room. All are invited to come along and say goodbye to our Assistant Priest.

Thank you Fr Michael for sharing your first two years of ministry with us, you will be greatly missed and our prayers are with you.

St Gilbert and the Gilbertines

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.

[Read more…] about St Gilbert and the Gilbertines

Assumption of Our Lady

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.