Dear parishioners, 

You will now be aware of the suspension of public worship in our churches due to the ongoing health crisis: this is, of course, very distressing for all of us. Please be assured that I shall be offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass privately at the Sacred Heart each day, and you may still get in touch if you wish the Mass to be offered for your intentions.

Given that it is no longer permissible to celebrate a public Requiem Mass do please pray for those families who are affected by this instruction, we need only think of the Manna and O’Gorman families at this sad time. I do ensure you though that a Catholic funeral service will be celebrated in private at the Crematorium and/or graveside at this time, subject to the conditions laid down by the cemetery or crematorium authorities (and limited to immediate family members only). Arrangements can be made for a Mass to be celebrated in memoriam when congregations are allowed to gather.

Baptisms should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can gather safely. In case of necessity, baptism can be celebrated in private, with immediate family in attendance only. Furthermore, I regrettably have to inform you that this year’s First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion celebrations will be postponed until a later date (once congregations can resume public worship).

All of this is an ongoing situation so we shall have to see how things work out. At this time we must be even more concerned to maintain our sense of identity as a parish by organising our lives (albeit at home) so that the rhythm of Catholic practice and prayer can be developed, indeed strengthened, at this time. Elsewhere on our website there are suggestions about how we can do this, as well as ideas about how to keep in touch and support each other.

Here is a form of making a Spiritual Communion recommended by our Bishop which you might use after following the readings and prayers of the Mass : “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot, at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”

The feast of the Annunciation is next Wednesday and that day and the following Sunday were to have marked the Rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary. The Prayer for England might fittingly be used in this connection.

As I was telling our children in school yesterday, let us all pray for each other and trust in God that He will be with us whatever happens.

With every blessing,

Fr Ralph Candy