Our Church opens - 4th July 2020
Webmaster • June 27, 2020
REOPENING OF CHURCHES
St Augustine’s will be open for MASS on
Saturday, 4th July at 6.30pm and on Sunday 5th at 9am &11am and thereafter at
these times each weekend until further notice. I am hoping to be able to resume
the 8.30am weekday Mass but this will depend on the availability of volunteers.
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 one-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.
The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays is still suspended for everyone and
especially those who have been advised to self-isolate. Therefore, if you prefer
to come to Mass during the week [provided they have been resumed] please feel
free to do so. Those who have been experiencing “streamed” Masses from
various venues have found them very beneficial but I think everyone will be
pleased to be able to receive the Lord in Holy Communion once again.
I very much look forward to welcoming you all back again at the weekend.
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.
BRENTWOOD DIOCESE will be hosting the relics of St. Gerard Majella as part of the celebrations of his 300th anniversary. Dates are: - 19th January (Basildon); 21st January (Colchester); 22nd January (Walthamstow); 23rd January (Forest Gate). See Poster in Porch for further details.