28th of June 2020

Church Re-opening

St Joseph’s opens this Sunday (28 June) for private prayer from 10am -12 noon. We then open from 10 am – 12 noon on Tuesday; and from 6 pm – 8 pm on Friday evening. A big thank you to those parishioners who have volunteered to act as stewards during these periods.

From next weekend (4th July) we are permitted to open for the celebration of Mass. Alleluia! This will start with the 9.15am Mass on Sunday morning (5th July). We will also have a Mass on Wednesday (8th July) at 12 noon.

It would be too much at this stage to open for all three of our usual Sunday Masses, but every time we have celebrated Mass, all the benches that have been used must be cleaned by the stewards. That could mean up to 20 benches to be cleaned with their kneelers! This would not be necessary if the Masses were separated by 72 hours because the virus doesn’t survive that long on any surfaces. This is achieved if Masses are on Sunday and Wednesday. Keep an eye on the website and videos for further updates.

From Bishop Paul Swarbrick – on having to wait to return to Mass…

…The restrictions we experience are a consequence of us being citizens of a broader society, for whom we have a profound concern, and to whom we have a Divine Mission. Waiting and preparing have a place in the Mystery of Faith. Think of Christ’s hidden years before His public Ministry, and His sharing of the Eucharist towards its completion. Think of His patience in delaying His Ascension to the Father. Think of the Apostles and Our Blessed Lady waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit. Think of the Eucharistic fast, a time of waiting and preparation – definitely not time wasted!

Church Collection:
During this time of locked churches, the most serious impact is that of not being able to go to church for Mass or for prayer. The latter we hope to alleviate in a few weeks, the former will be some time longer. Even though we are closed, there are still expenses that have to be met. We are very grateful for those who have put envelopes through the letter box or have sent cheques, etc. If anyone wishes to set up a standing order arrangement, or just make payments via online banking, please contact Fr David.

Mass Intentions:
may be posted through the door at St Joseph’s Presbytery

The Voice for July:
The June edition of our diocesan newspaper is now available online.

Online Masses:
Here, for recordings of Mass here at St Joseph’s..

A Thought For Sunday:
The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul brings together two saints who could certainly each merit a Feast of their own. Why are they together? The tradition is that both were martyred at Rome between 64 and 68 AD. Peter, of course, was the first Pope and the first Bishop of Rome. Paul, after his dramatic conversion, became the apostle to the gentiles – perhaps the greatest of all preachers. Together they are like two great pillars on which the Church of Rome was built and became the foundation for the Church as it spread across the world. But both had got things wrong when they went their own way: Peter tried to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem to meet his fate; and thought he would stand by the Lord to the last – until he denied him. Paul thought his calling was to put a stop to the early Church, and was on his way to do this when our Lord stopped him in his tracks. Both abandoned their pride and let the Lord take the reins. And He reigned in them. As Paul himself said, ‘By the grace of God I am what I am.’ It is the Lord who will make of us what we are called to be – if we let Him. Set close to Christ we become stones making a spiritual house for God; a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called us out of darkness into his own wonderful light.

St Joseph’s Care:
If you, or someone you know is in need, St Joseph’s Care has a helpline and we have volunteers who will be in a position to provide basic support such as shopping. The number is: 07840 112 265 (9am – 7pm daily). We thank those extra volunteers who have given their names and are prepared to provide help for those who need it.

CAFOD Appeal:
CAFOD launched its coronavirus emergency appeal on 30 April. The effects of coronavirus on developing countries where CAFOD works are likely to be devastating. Families without enough to eat and without access to clean water + healthcare are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. The poorest and most marginalised communities will be pushed further into poverty. In some developing countries there are almost no intensive care hospital beds or ventilators. Your prayers and gifts are needed now more than ever, to help protect the lives of those in poor communities. While we are not able to hold collections in our church, you can donate as individuals online at cafod.org.uk/coronavirusappeal or by phone on 08085 85 88 85 Thank you…

A Prayer to your Guardian Angel:
Dear Guardian Angel, go for me to the church, there kneel down at Mass for me. At the Offertory, take me to God, and offer Him my service: What I am, what I have, offer as my gift. At the Consecration, with your seraphic strength, adore my Saviour truly present, praying for those who have loved me, for those who have offended me, and for those now deceased, that the blood of Jesus may purify them all. During Holy Communion, bring to me the Body and Blood of Jesus uniting Him with me in spirit, so that my heart may become His dwelling place. Plead with Him, that through His sacrifice all people throughout the world may be saved. When the Mass ends, bring home to me and to every home, the Lord’s blessing. Amen.

An Act of Perfect Contrition:
This requires us to be contrite of heart for what we have done, know and be overwhelmed by the love and mercy of God for his children, and to approach this grace with humility and resolution not to sin again. The following or similar formula should be used:

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God have mercy.

St Joseph’s Facebook Page:
We now have over 300 people regularly following us on Facebook which is allowing us to reach out to those in the wider community and fulfil our parish commitment to evangelisation. In the last couple of months we have been able to help a number of people who have sought assistance through this medium.