A church packed with people from all three parishes (plus some from further afield)
welcomed Archbishop Vincent Nichols on Sunday 13th February. 
Those unable to fit into St Mary and St Joseph Church gathered in the Parish Centre, where there was a live link to the church.

Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop with Fr John and Fr Voytek concelebrating and Deacon Simon Wright assisting.
The orchestra and choir filled the church with music. The congregation responded splendidly to the request to sing up
and even rose to the challenge of singing an African chant taught them that morning!

The Archbishop, standing at the front (rather than in the pulpit),
spoke warmly and clearly, skilfully drawing out the most relevant points in the readings. 

It was a joy to see the offertory procession of some forty plus 'Little Churchers'
and First Holy Communicants being received by the Archbishop. 
The children who will be making their first Holy Communion were presented with their St Matthew Gospel.
Somehow the children were found a space to sit around the altar! 
Members of the RCIA group, with their sponsors, were then asked to come forward to receive a blessing.
The Archbishop reminded them that they will meet him in Westminster Cathedral for their Rite of Election on 13th March.

Parishioners were greeted by the Archbishop as they made their way out of church
and then many gathered in the Parish Centre for refreshments provided by the CWL.
Here the Archbishop mingled with parishioners, many of whom had the chance for at least a short chat.

All agreed that the visit had been an uplifting experience in so many ways –
the coming together of so many parishioners,
 the joyful celebration of the Mass
and, of course, the welcome visit by Archbishop Vincent Nichols.

On 6^th January most of the seventy five Malayalam families who live in Hemel Hempstead gathered together to celebrate Christmas.
Families of other faiths joined the Catholic families in Leverstock Green Village Hall. 
The festivities were very colourful with cinematic and traditional dances and curries.

At other times of the year the group gathers to celebrate the Hindu festival of Onam and the Muslim festival of Eid. 
They are now contemplating gathering for a combined Easter-Vishu dinner!

The Children's Christmas Mass took place at 6pm on Christmas Eve.  It is always a very special Mass and all children in the Parish (and not just those who regularly attend 'Little Church') are invited to take part (via the November newsletter).  Those wanting to be involved had two short rehearsals beforehand and those with speaking parts took their readings home so that everyone was well prepared on the night.

There were about 25 children involved and those who didn't arrive in their costumes got dressed at the front of the Church (with a team of about 10 parents helping) before Mass started.

Pews at the front of the Church were reserved and also a pew about a third way down - it was from this pew that Mary and Joseph made their long journey to Bethlehem (the altar) as did the shepherds, angels and the Three Kings. 

As expected, the Church was buzzing with excitement (children and parents alike!).  Everyone arrived early to try and get a seat and the Church was full by 5.30pm - those who didn't get a seat went to the Parish Centre and participated in the Mass via video-link.  Most of the children arrived nearly an hour before Mass started.  However, despite being in Church for well over two hours, they all behaved extremely well.

After Father John had said his opening prayer, he told the congregation that the children wanted to tell the Story of Christmas.  There were seven narrators and they and all those with speaking parts (including the inn-keeper and angels) spoke beautifully.  Readings were interspersed with carols and some songs by the children.  All went smoothly (apart from the shepherds arriving a little too early to Bethlehem - but no-one seemed to notice!).

At the end the children got a clap and a well-earned sweet!