The sun is shining, protective gazebos are set up,  the altar is ready,

choir and orchestra have assembled
 
and parishioners have arrived,  most bringing chairs with them.

Fr John and Fr Gregory are ready.

Our annual Open Air Mass can begin.

During the service a new baby was blessed and welcomed into the community
and one of our long standing parishioners, Mary Quinn, was given a special blessing on her 90th birthday.

Afterwards refreshments were welcome.  Picnic lunches were brought by many. 
Others were tempted by the smells of the barbecue prepared by the 4th Boxmoor Scout Group. 

Teas/coffees were served by the Catholic Women’s League. 
 

A thoroughly enjoyable morning was had by all:
a chance for a different way of celebrating Mass and then to meet friends
as well as to renew acquaintance with many with whom we only cross paths at this annual celebration

The  Boxmoor CWL held an evening where a buffet supper & first class entertainment
"Sister Act" performed by the Adeyfield CWL section was provided. 
Members arrived early to set up the hall

Click for a bigger picture

CWL stands for Charity, Work & Loyalty
this was very much in evidence with both Boxmoor & Adyeyfield members working hard.

Click for a bigger picture

Everyone had a good time and £811.62 was raised for the parish presbytery building fund.

The CWL celebrated Mary Quinn's 90th birthday at their September meeting. 
Mary has been a stalwart of the CWL for many years and an inspiration to the younger members. 
She was presented with flowers and toasted with champagne.  There was also a celebratory cake. 
The CWL wishes her many more years of happiness and looks forward to the centenary!

As a long standing member of the CWL
Mary celebrated her birthday early with them...

...and then
family and friends joined many of our parishioners on 11th September to
celebrate Mary's 90th birthday.

This was a lovely, sociable occasion at
which we all joined in our congratulations
to such a long standing and
much loved parishioner.

     The Malayalam speaking community from our parish celebrated
harvest festival (along with a Hindu festival called 'ONAM' )
on Sunday 11th September

 Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala, South India.
It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the world by people of all communities.
According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali,
whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. 
(For more information please search 'ONAM' in Google)

Venue: Highfield Community Centre, Bellgate, Highfield, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 5SB
Date: 11th September 2011
Time: 11am-4pm

Contact Person: Jojy Paul - 07877264255 jojy.paul@boxmoorcatholic.org) 

After nearly 3 years of planning, negotiations and fundraising the official handover took place on Friday the 2nd September for
the new Presbytery to house our Parish Priest, and the two adjoining maisonettes
which will provide retirement accommodation for Diocesan priests.

The maisonettes are at ground and first floor level with separate ground floor front/rear access
and have individual rear gardens with adjacent allocated car parking spaces.

They will be fitted out to a high standard with kitchen appliances and floor coverings.
All rooms are of a good size with main bedroom with en suite and lounge/kitchen diner

Both maisonettes enjoy front views of the beautiful Blackbirds Moor immediately opposite the Presbytery
and the main Church, Parish Centre and Parish office are 'next door'.

Enquiries should be directed to

This page was last updated on       Sunday, 18 September 2011