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].
Maundy Thursday, 2nd April at 7.30pm. We need twelve volunteers (women & men) for this important ceremony. Please sign up on the list at the back of the church.
Wednesday, 29th April – Do this in memory of me - Children only in the Meeting Room 5.15 – 6.30pm. Sunday, 3rd May – 11.00am – Mass in the church [arrive in church by 10.45am].
These are available at the back of the church in alphabetical order by surname. If for any reason you no longer require envelopes [i.e. because you are now using the new Dona terminals and using the gift function] please hand them to me and they will be cancelled for next year. However, the boxes do have envelopes for the occasional special collections. Joining the scheme costs nothing as the parish simply claims back from the Inland Revenue the tax you pay on what you already give in the collection. If you would like to join the scheme please have a word with me after Mass.
Good Friday meet at the magistrates’ court at 9.30am and walk to the square for the service.
New location, new time. St Thersa's Church on Saturday, 21 st March, 12.30 to 2pm . The Recollection comprises of a priest led meditation, examination of conscience, rosary, opportunity for confession, spiritual reading, 2 nd meditation followed by benediction. Tea/coffee and biscuits after the Recollection. St Theresa's Church, Brook Road, Newbury Park, IG2 7JA
Phase one of the repairs has now been completed. The tenders have gone out for phase two and the same company has been retained to finish the job. It has taken a long time to reach this stage but we are in the hands of the loss adjustor and the insurance company and cannot interfere in the process.
CAFOD Family Fast Day Collection - This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour. By fasting and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope to bless others with your support, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10. Retiring collection after Mass this weekend.
