Weekend message Sept 11

Dear friends,

We have all heard the news about renewed restrictions on the numbers of people who can meet together, whether indoors or outside, and many have understandably been worried that that will affect our ability to attend the celebration of Mass. However, the new restrictions which the Government announced this week do not appear to make any difference for worshipping in Church – no doubt due at least in part to our vigilance in putting safety measures into practice and your willingness to follow best practice. We must all redouble our efforts to ensure that our Churches continue to be a safe haven for anyone who wishes to come and pray at the designated times. It is unfortunate that we still have to operate a ‘booking system’: that really goes against the grain, since our Churches should be open to everyone who wishes to join us in prayer. But for the time being it is necessary if we are to be able to open for public worship at all.

Many of our people cannot come to Church because they are (or have been) shielding, or are vulnerable due to age or infirmity. I am very conscious that so many of them would wish to be part of our worshipping community, and if they must stay at home, would wish at least to be able to receive Holy Communion again. We have now been informed that, at long last, we are permitted to make home visits, including administering Holy Communion to people at home. However, we can only make one visit at a time – we are not allowed to go from one house to another.

In making regulations and continually altering them in response to rapidly changing situations, the Government must act always for the common good. This is not the same as the majority opinion, nor even what would be best for the majority of people. It is better to think of the common good as what would be for the benefit of all the people together, requiring us always to have in view the needs of others.

People in Government tend to tell Church leaders to keep their views to themselves, on the grounds that ‘the Church should keep out of politics’. The Church should not try to be involved in Government, of course: that would be in conflict with the Church’s mission to proclaim the Word of God to everyone. But the Church has a very important role in keeping Governments to the task, reaffirming the importance of honesty, integrity, justice, and fairness, reminding them of the importance of acting for the common good, and of abiding by national and international law.

Celebration of Mass in Public in our Churches:

Last week almost 80 people attended Mass in Narborough, between the three celebrations, and about 65 attended Mass in Lutterworth on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday combined. I am very grateful to those of both parishes who have volunteered to act as stewards or cleaners or both, and to all who attended Mass for complying with the regulations which we now have to follow.

Please be aware that it will be essential to book a place at Mass on every occasion that you wish to attend. It is not permitted to book for every Sunday, or even for a number of weeks.

Please also remember to bring a mask to wear when coming to Mass –imposed restrictions are still in place.

Booking Arrangements:

At Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus:

Please ring 079 0113 4564 on the following days, and at these times:

Monday 14^th September     between 9.30am and 10.30am or between 6pm and 7pm

Wednesday 16^th September between 9.30am and 10.30am or between 6pm and 7pm

Friday 18^th September         between 9.30am and 10.30am or between 6pm and 7pm

Times of Mass next weekend:

• 5.30pm on Saturday 19^th September;
• 11am on Sunday 20^th September;
• 10.30am on Tuesday 22^nd September.

 

At St. Pius X, Narborough:

You may book by email: johnhadley1971@gmail.com  or by phone: (0116) – 2863676

at the following times on the following days:

• between 6pm and 7pm on Monday 14^th September;
• between 6pm and 7pm on Tuesday 15^th September;
• between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday 17^th September;
• between 5pm and 6pm on Friday 18^th September.

Times of Mass next weekend:

• 10am on Saturday 19^th September;
• 10am on Sunday 20^th September;
• 10am on Monday 21^st September;

First Holy Communion: On Saturday 19^th September at the 10am Mass at St. Pius X Narborough we intend to celebrate First Holy Communion for our three young people who have been making their preparations this year.

 This week I will celebrate Mass in public at Our Lady of Victories and St. Alphonsus on Saturday (5.30pm)’ Sunday (11am), and Tuesday (10.30am). The intentions will be announced at the celebrations.

This week I will celebrate Mass in public at St. Pius X Narborough at 10am on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday; and in private (the doors will not be open) at about 9am on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The intentions of these celebrations will be Saturday (12^th September) 10am Fr Eamonn O’Hara RIP; Sunday (13^th September) 10am Mary Smith RIP; Monday (14^th September) 10am Father Paul Dynan RIP; Tuesday the people of the parishes (Mass in time of pandemic); Wednesday Canon Vincent Berry RIP; Thursday Graham Sasse RIP; Friday Canon Christopher Tuckwell RIP. Next weekend Saturday (19^th September) 10am will be our First Holy Communion celebration. The intention will be William Spendilow RIP; Sunday (20^th September) 10am John Nealon RIP; Monday (21^st September) 10am Mary Hadley RIP.

Please pray for Dave Knapper, Michael Maloney, Teresa Maugham, Debbie Bourke, Elizabeth Fullerton, Mary Dunne, Ranjit Mann, Juanita Zaman, (all parishioners or relatives of parishioners), and Father Michael Horrax (retired priest of this Diocese) who are seriously ill; and for Sheila Knight, Alan Dodds, Pat Johnston, Patricia Mary O’Neill, Mary Kuriam, Nicholas Lash, Carolina Johnson, Elaine Smith, Mary Smith, and all who have died recently. Please let me know of any others who have died, or anyone who is ill and asks for prayers, so that I can add them to the list.

Parish Magazine: Mrs Sasse has kindly worked hard on producing a new edition of the Magazine for our two parishes. In the circumstances, producing hard copies would not be sensible, but she is happy to send it by email to anyone who would like a copy. Please contact her on parmag22@gmail.com. I’m sure that she would also be very grateful for ‘copy’ to go into a future edition of the magazine.

 A Message from LACY – Leicestershire Active Catholic Youth: Due to the recent ‘local lockdown’ in Leicester, Oadby, Wigston, and some surrounding areas, the ‘Day With Mary’ has been postponed to 4^th October at 4pm. Please save the date, and look for further information on the LACY facebook page.

 Recycling Textiles: At the moment the firm are no longer collecting in the Leicester area and have no plans to restart collections. If anyone knows of any other organization willing to collect clothes and other textiles in our area, please let me know.

Reminders from previous weeks:

The ‘Sunday Obligation’ remains suspended until further notice. The Bishops remind us that people who have been ‘shielding’, or who are caring for anyone who is extremely vulnerable, should not attend Church. Those who are ‘vulnerable’, including those who are over 70 years of age, should think carefully before attending, to make sure that they feel they can do so safely. Children younger than 16 years old, and persons who are physically disabled or who have learning difficulties, must not attend Church unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult, who will be expected to look after them and ensure that safe practice is maintained. Toilets will not normally be open.

When Attending Mass in any Catholic Church:

Face masks must be worn. When you arrive at Mass, a steward will check that you have pre-booked. You will be asked to sanitize your hands in the porch, and to wear your face mask. There is no holy water in the porch, and there will be no newsletter to take into Church. From next weekend (5^th to 7^th September) a newsletter will be available, but if you take one you will be asked to ensure that you take it away with you after Mass.

If you have brought an offering for the parish collection, please put it into the box which will be available in the porch. The collection will not be taken during Mass in the usual way. There will also be a box in the porch for items for the foodbank or for Mary’s Meals.

A steward will show you where you can sit. Places are marked on the benches or chairs, to ensure that all persons keep a safe ‘social distance’. Couples from the same household may occupy a single place. Families may sit together.

Holy Communion will be distributed at the usual time during Mass. The host must be received in the hand. There will be no ‘dialogue’ at that time. The chalice cannot be shared. Those receiving Holy Communion are requested to maintain the social distance in the main aisle waiting to receive; and to come up to the line marked on the floor of the Church.

At the end of Mass, please do not stop in the porch. If you wish to talk to anyone, please wait until you are outside the Church building. This is to avoid causing an obstruction for those wishing to leave.

Contributions to the parish funds: I know that many of you who used the envelopes to make your contributions would like to continue to do so. The boxes of envelopes are available for those who use them. If you would like your box of envelopes, please let me know and I can produce it for you.

I will provide the parish Bank details to anyone who would like to donate by standing Order or similar electronic means – many of you already do so (and I am very grateful indeed). I can provide standing order mandates for anyone who wishes – please just ask.

Gift Aid: I copies of the form to complete, so if you are a taxpayer and would like the tax paid on your contributions to be given to the parish, please ask me for a form.

With best wishes to you all, and assuring you all of my prayers, Father John