Fr Paul - Update on Mass
Fr. Paul • July 18, 2020
Update on Mass from Fr. Paul
St Augustine’s will be open for MASS on
Saturdays at 6.30pm and on Sundays at 9am &11am each weekend until further
notice. Stewards will be present in the church so please follow their instructions
at all times. The social distancing rules which apply generally continue to apply
within the church precincts. Those from the same household may sit together but
those from differing households must obey the new metre rule. The benches are
marked accordingly. If you would like to volunteer as a steward or in helping to
clean the church please email. Volunteers should not belong to either a group
being shielded or who are particularly vulnerable.
As of necessity the experience of the Mass will be somewhat different. Singing
is forbidden. Mass will proceed in the usual way, although slightly truncated,
until Holy Communion. At this point communicants will proceed in an orderly,
socially distanced queue towards the minister. Upon arrival at the point of Holy
Communion the communicant should extend their hand for reception of the
Sacred Host. The minister will say nothing and neither will the communicant.
The Sacred Host should be consumed at once. The communicant then returns to
their place in the church. Holy Communion on the tongue and from the chalice
are still not allowed. Mass will end in the usual way. By all means say “Hello”
to friends and parishioners whom you will not have seen for some time but
please always remember to abide by the social distancing rules. We are subject
to inspection and could be closed down again if we do not abide by the
regulations. Weekday Mass has resumed usually at 8.30am. However, please
see the newsletter for occasional variations.
The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays is still suspended. Therefore, should
you prefer to come during the week when there will be fewer people please feel
free to do so. Needless to say, we are still having to pay the bills even though the
church has been closed. It is possible to make a donation online through the
parish website [address overleaf].
Any young person born before 31 st August 2010 who lives in the parish and attends Mass regularly is eligible to apply. Those who live outside the parish must obtain the permission of their own parish priest before applying . Application forms [pink] are at the back of the church [both sides to be completed]. Please ensure a copy of your baptismal certificate is attached to the completed form if you were not baptised in this parish. The preparation meetings will take place on Tuesdays 20 th October and 3 rd , 10 th & 17 th November at 7pm – 8.30pm. The rehearsal will be on Saturday, 21 st November at 10am in the church. The Confirmation Mass will be on Sunday, 22 nd November at 11am. Please make a note of these dates.
St Augustine's Choir are looking for new members to come along and join us as we prepare the music for Advent and Christmas masses (and a few light-hearted festive favourites for our own enjoyment!). Although the ability to follow the music would be an advantage, it is not essential and we happily welcome everyone who would like to join us. For more information, please speak to Fr Paul or contact Tracy 07786 146989 or Cathy 07813 070003.
A bill to legalise assisted suicide is being re-introduced into parliament in exactly the same dangerous form that it was rejected before. This is to enable it to be forced through using the Parliament Act thereby bypassing the House of Lords, the revising chamber which safeguarded us all last time. Leaflets regarding a demonstration against this flagrant misuse of parliamentary procedure are available at the back of the church.
The Knights of St Columba invite all parishioners to the meeting room at the back of the church for refreshments following the 6:30pm Mass on Saturday 18th July and the 11:00am Mass on Sunday 19th July. Absolutely everyone is welcome to stay for a chat. You can also learn more about our work; the Knights are actively looking to recruit new members, so if you are a Catholic man interested in faith, friendship, and serving our parish, come and find out how you can get involved.
Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult and hazardous conditions. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Your support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need. You can donate in church, by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work, so please give generously. Thank you.
There will be a retiring collection this week in aid of the Holy Father’s charities and to help defray his personal expenses.
SACRISTANS – required for the 11am Mass on Sundays. If you feel able to help please have a word with me after Mass. It mainly entails coming a little earlier and setting up the vessels, etc. Training, of course, given.
