With effect from Friday evening this week, the Bishops of England and Wales have asked us to suspend all public Masses. Because of the situation the Church finds herself in, the obligation for the faithful to attend Holy Mass on a Sunday or Holy day of Obligation is removed, until further notice. However, Masses will still be celebrated by the priest but behind closed doors.
Although the Masses here from Saturday will not be open to the public, however, they will be live-streamed at normal Mass times, with the exception of Sunday when only one Mass will be live-streamed at 10am. During these Masses, one is encouraged to make a Spiritual Communion with the Lord.
Outside of the times allocated to the live-streaming of Masses, the church will remain open each day for private prayer or adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (when scheduled).
Please note also that the 24 Hours for the Lord beginning on Friday at Noon will still take place.
Other changes effective from Saturday are as follows:
1. First Holy Communion Programme suspended.
2. Journey in faith Programme suspended.
3. Deepen your Faith sessions suspended.
4. Lenten Reconciliation Service cancelled, though Confessions are available on request and on Saturdays at 10am and 5pm.
5. Talk on ‘Embracing the Cross’ cancelled.
6. Stations of the Cross will be live-streamed on Fridays at 7.30pm.
7. Novena to St Anthony of Padua will be live-streamed on Tuesday at 7pm followed by Mass as usual.
8. Adoration on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Fridays will also be live-streamed.
9. A newsletter will still be produced each week (albeit shorter) and loaded up onto the website and some copies will also left in the porch of the church.
10. I am always available for sick visits.
Moreover, if anyone is in need whether spiritually or materially, please let me know. You can come to me or I can come to you (Coronavirus permitting)—I might even do your shopping!
God bless,
Fr Mark
