Christmas Message from Fr Frank

 

Midnight Mass from Clifton Cathedral on BBC One

Midnight mass from Clifton Cathedral led by Bishop Declan, will be broadcast on BBC One at 11.45pm on 24th December.  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qq6q

Christmas Mass Times 2020

We need to be very careful in keeping our Church and parishioners safe as we cannot have more than approx. 50-60 people safely inside Church during any celebration of mass.  

As such we are pleased to be able to offer additional masses over the Octave of Christmas, which all count as your commitment to the birth of Christ.  Please attend on other days of the “Octave of Christmas” masses if you can, in order to spread the numbers of people attending throughout the nine days.  Our mass times during the Octave of Christmas are as follows:

6pm on Thursday 24th December

10am on Friday 25th December

12pm on Saturday 26th December

9am on Sunday 27th December

10am on Monday 28th December

9.30am on Tuesday 29th December

10am on Wednesday 30th December

9.30am on Thursday 31st December

10am on Friday 1st January 2021

Christmas Mass Information

We have now finalised our plans for CHRISTMAS MASSES.  Please read through the details below and pass this message on to anyone you know who will not see this online/newsletter message.

“Christmas will be very different for us this year and our Christmas Masses are no exception. We are not able to have the extra traditions like carol singing, booklets, candles etc that we are used to, and as sad as this is, our priority is to follow the regulations to keep EVERYONE safe.   The essential act of worship, however, remains a constant for us to enjoy, so we are pleased to be able to offer several Masses during the 'Octave of Christmas' (Christmas Day to New Year's Day inclusive) which ALL COUNT as your commitment to the birth of Christ – they are all of equal importance.”  – Fr Frank

We know that lots of people would prefer to attend Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but we need to be very careful in keeping our Church and parishioners safe as we cannot have more than approx. 50-60 people safely inside Church.  With the kind help of Canon Michael Fitzpatrick we are pleased to be able to offer additional masses over the Octave of Christmas.

Please attend on other days of the “Octave of Christmas” masses if you can, in order to spread the numbers of people attending throughout the nine days.  These masses, which all count as your commitment to the birth of Christ, are as follows:

• Thursday 24th Dec (Christmas Eve) at 6.00pm
• Friday 25th Dec (Christmas Day) at 10.00am
• Saturday 26th Dec at 12.00noon
• Sunday 27th Dec at 9.00am
• Monday 28th Dec at 10.00am
• Tuesday 29th Dec at 9.30am
• Wednesday 30th Dec at 10.00am
• Thursday 31st Dec at 9.30am
• Friday 1st Dec at 10.00am

In order to keep everyone safe and in line with government and diocesan guidelines, please observe the following:

• only attend Church if you do not have symptoms of Coronavirus, are not shielding for health reasons and have not been asked to isolate
• please bring a face mask/ face covering with you and keep it on at all times whilst inside the Church
• observe social distancing with anyone who is not in your household or support bubble, both inside and outside of church
• use hand sanitiser on entry
• check in on arrival using our QR code on your track and trace app or fill out a track & trace form
• For the annual gift to your parish priest but there will be a basket ON ARRIVAL for any donations (there will be no offertory collection made during Mass)
• Last but not least, please follow the instructions of the stewards, who will show you to your seat and guide you when it's time to receive Communion and to leave church.

Finally, it should be noted that there are no toilet facilities available in the church at this time. Mass duration will be approx 30 minutes.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience or distress these new measures may cause but we hope we can offer the gift of Safe, Holy Mass to as many people as possible this Christmas season.

God bless you all,

Fr Frank & Fr Jim

Appeal for Coats, Socks & Gloves

 

Bishop Declan's Pastoral Letter for the First Sunday of Advent

Download and read Bishop Declan's Pastoral letter here or 

View the video at https://vimeo.com/483625647

Or listen to the audio here https://soundcloud.com/clifton-diocese/pastoral-letter-for-the-first-sunday-of-advent-2020

Public Celebration of Mass Resumes

We look forward the the public celebration of mass which will resume from Thursday 3rd December at 9.30am.  Thereafter, mass will be celebrated as usual on Sunday at 9am and on Tuesday and Thursday at 9.30am unless otherwise noted in the weekly newsletter.  Please be mindful of all the safety measures that are still in place.  A reminder has been published in the latest newsletter.  Remember that during this time there is still no Sunday obligation so you can attend Mass at any of the time in the week. Please only attend mass if you are well and free of Covid-19 symptoms.

SVP Information Meetings (Zoom)

The St Vincent de Paul Society who provide practical assistance to all those in need -  visiting people in their homes, in hospital and in care homes on a regular basis and offering additional practical support such as food, furniture or financial help where needed and also organising trips and events for older and isolated people are having information meetings for those who are interested in the work that they do.  The meetings are open for all to attend, hosted on Zoom and will give all an opportunity to hear about some of their current partnership successes and ask questions.  

The meetings are as follows. 

To attend email memberships@svp.org.uk to register and receive a Zoom meeting link.

Partnering with the SVP  
Looking at the different ways that you may support one another
Tuesday 24th November 6pm   
Wednesday 25th November 6pm

Forming New Conferences and Services

Exploring New Conferences and Services

Friday 27th November 4pm

Saturday 28th November 4pm

Joining Efforts within the SVP

How some parish outreach groups have found a home in the SVP

Monday 30th November 4pm

Tuesday 1st December 4pm

Supporting Your Existing Conferences

Some ideas and approaches to consider

Wednesday 2nd December 4pm

Joining the SVP

How and why I should get involved in my local Conference

Friday 4th December 4pm

For more information on the SVP and all the work they do visit their website https://www.svp.org.uk/

or keep in touch with them through 

Twitter:  SVPEnglandWales  or their Facebook page :  SVPenglandandwales          

Email:  info@svp.org.uk or Telephone: 020 7703 3030

Kingswood Park Update & Short Survey

Throughout 2019 South Gloucestershire Council worked with the Friends of Kingswood Park volunteer group to develop an application for National Lottery funding to restore and regenerate Kingswood Park. The application was submitted in February 2020.  However, because of Coronavirus all new applications for National Lottery funding were closed for this year whilst help was directed to heritage organisations.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund will re-open for funding applications from February 2021 and Friends of Kingswood Park are now preparing to re-submit their bid for Kingswood Park.

To ensure their application is up to date they would like to record how people have used and valued Kingswood Park during the Coronavirus lockdown and social distancing requirements. Tell them what does Kingswood Park mean to you now? 

Please can you take a few minutes to complete their very short survey using this link - https://southglos.researchfeedback.net/wad2wm

Please share this with anyone you may know, the more responses received the better!  Your feedback will inform Friends of Kingswood Park’s bid to restore Kingswood Park, ensuring they focus on the issues that matter most to you.

The survey is open until 31^st December 2020.

Update from the South Gloucestershire Director of Public Health

Please watch an update (11 November) from Sara Blackmore, Director of Public Health for South Gloucestershire on the local situation and how we must all follow the national guidance do the right thing. 

Free Counselling for Individuals Shielding due to Covid-19

Bristol Mind is offering a specific free counselling for individuals shielding due to the pandemic.  See more information below:

Praying Our Goodbyes - An Invitation to Remember those Who have Died

The month of November is the traditional month in the Catholic Church for praying for those who have died.  We remember each and every one and in particular this year, we remember those who have died as a consequence of COVID-19.

Throughout November, the Diocese is inviting anyone who wishes to post a prayer on their prayer wall to do so.

In this way we can all join in one prayer, not only for those who have died, but also for those who mourn their loss.

You can add your prayer by visiting the Clifton Diocese homepage here.

Future Bright - Support for those whose Work & Income have been affected by the coronavirus

To help people whose income or employment have been affected by the Coronavirus crisis, the eligibility criteria for Future Bright have been temporarily expanded.

Visit: http://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/future-bright/

Future Bright offers FREE career coaching, training and support to help you develop the skills and confidence you need to take your next step in your career.

All conversations are confidential, and focus on what you want to achieve – your coach will help you take your next step. Participation is always free, and fits around your current commitments. To learn more, read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

South Gloucestershire: 

Email future.bright@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 866008

Covid-19 Update - Statement from the Catholic Bishops Conference

Due to Government's announcement on Friday of further widespread restrictions in England that will come into place on Thursday, 5th November due to the coronavirus, we have to stop all acts of public worship except for funerals.  

From Thursday 5th November, all Sunday and weekday masses will be suspended.  Live streaming of masses and other liturgies can be found on churchservices.tv

Please see the statement from Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference here.

The Government guidelines can be found here.

World Mission Sunday, 18th October 2020

In this time of international turmoil and uncertainty, World Mission Sunday is an opportunity for the global family of the Catholic Church to stand together in solidarity, prayer and faith.

Each parish throughout the world celebrates being part of a worldwide Church, giving what they can for the benefit of those most in need. We offer the hand of friendship and encouragement to our sisters and brothers in poorer countries, and to missionaries across the world, who are proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have not yet heard it.  

The needs of the Church in Africa and Asia are greater than ever.  They ask for our prayers and support. Any help we can give them at the moment will make a huge difference to their lives and to the future of our Church.

Have a look at this uplifting video about the inspiring work of missionaries around the world :  “We are still here” (Click to watch)

For more information about the missionaries and their work visit the Missio website www.missio.org.uk

Also, take a look at our new children’s activity sheets for every Sunday in October, which are available on the World Mission Sunday page www.missio.org.uk/wms

Pope Francis encourages us to hope and trust in the Lord. In his message for World Mission Sunday, he reminds us that ‘in a context profoundly marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must not be discouraged because mission is not the fruit of human capacity but belongs to God. He sent his Son Jesus Christ and today he sends every baptised person.’

Test & Trace

Testing and tracing plays a key part in the ongoing coronavirus response.  Rapidly detecting people who have come into close contact with any Covid-19 case would enable the NHS take swift action to minimise the transmission of the virus.

Test & Trace Forms    In order to do our part to assist the NHS we have introduced Test and Trace Forms in order to maintain records of visitors at every mass and service in church.  The information provided on the forms will be released to the NHS, only if required, and will not be used for any other purpose.  Forms will be kept securely for 21 days after which it will be securely disposed of.  

NHS Test & Trace App    The NHS Test & Trace was launched on 24th September and is available to download for anyone over 16 years of age.  This app is only available for smartphones.  One of the app’s major features is a scanner which can scan QR codes at venues to let it keep track of places the user has visited.  We have a QR code for our church and it is now displayed in various points in the church porch.  Those who use the App will no longer need to fill in the form but just scan the code using the app before the enter church.  Our stewards will be around to show you how it’s done, should you need any help.

The download the App, go to Android's Google Play or Apple's App Store and search for "NHS Covid-19".  

The handsets must have Android 6.0 (released in 2015) or iOS 13.5 (released in May 2020) and Bluetooth 4.0 or higher. That excludes the iPhone 6 and older versions of Apple's handsets. To get started, go to Android's Google Play or Apple's App Store and search for "NHS Covid-19".  The handsets must have Android 6.0 (released in 2015) or iOS 13.5 (released in May 2020) and Bluetooth 4.0 or higher. That excludes the iPhone 6 and older versions of Apple's handsets.

Important information regarding the Numbers allowed inside the Church

The introduction of compulsory wearing of face masks whilst in church has allowed us to now follow the 1 metre plus rule.  This will allow us to get more parishioners into the church and avoid having to use the porch.

We hope you all approve of these changes and the benefits they bring.   Nevertheless, we still ask that you be patient and remain in your seat until directed by one of the stewards to receive Holy Communion to give others the space and time they need under the new measures, and then follow the one-way system to exit the church.

All these changes have been approved by the diocese.

Face Masks Compulsory in Church

As of 8th of August, the Government has made the wearing of face masks in church compulsory, so please do your best to conform with this decision, if you decide to attend any mass or service in church.

Updated Information - Leaving Church after Mass

It was great to see the number attending Mass last Sunday had increased from the previous Sunday and long may this continue. Covid-19 has brought about several changes in the way we worship with restrictions on seating, sanitising your hands when entering to name just a couple.  

The way we exit the church is especially important as we must avoid breaking social distancing rules.  Therefore, it is essential that when leaving the church, you follow the protocol which is as follows:

•        Those in the porch will receive Holy Communion first.  Then beginning from the back of the church, each row will be called out by a steward.  Please wait to be called before leaving your seat. Those who have mobility problems please stay in your seat and Father will bring Holy Communion to you.

•       When you have received Holy Communion please follow the arrows to leave the church as we are operating a one-way system.  Please do not congregate in the porch as this will cause hold ups in the church and social distancing rules are broken.  There is plenty of room in the carpark for a natter.

These are difficult times and our main aim to keep everyone safe, so your 

co-operation will be much appreciated.  We look forward to the day when we can hold coffee mornings with a yummy breakfast, shake hands, hug or even kiss.  It will come, but when, is anyone’s guess.

Re-Opening of Church for Mass - Update

We had 30 people attend mass last weekend and it was lovely to see so many people back in church!

Everyone who attended understood and observed the changes that were in place to keep people safe and  were patient with the new way of worshiping.  Thank you so much for your cooperation.

For this Sunday 19th July, we have made some changes to the safety measures we have in place for mass, keeping everyone's safety in mind.

1.  Please wear a suitable face-mask while you are in church.

2.  If you were with us last weekend, the way we exit church after mass has ended has changed, 
     so we ask that you kindly follow the instructions of the stewards.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Re-Opening of Church for Mass

From Sunday 12^th July, we are happy to announce that we will be open to celebrate Mass at our Church!

Our first mass will be at 9am on Sunday 12th July and Fr Jim will also be celebrating two weekday masses at 9.30am on Tuesday and on Thursday.  There will be various new safety measures in place in church and our stewards will be there to guide you.  Some things to keep in mind if you decide to attend mass are:

1.      We will be using the 2 metre social distancing rule so we ask that you remain at least 2 metres apart when inside the Church.   

2.      A one-way system has been implemented in church. 

3.      There are sanitizing stations at both the entry and exit.  Please sanitize your hands before entering and leaving.

4.      You will be shown to your seat in order to fit as many people in church as safely possible. 

5.      There will be no singing during mass.

6.      There will be no toilet facilities available.

7.      Communal items will not be used so please bring your own missal, if you have one.

There will be baskets for your weekly offering at the entry and exit.  Please be aware that we have lost a substantial amount of income, so your generosity will be much appreciated.

Please remember, if you have any symptoms which could be Covid related (high temperature, a new continuous cough and a loss of change to your sense of taste or smell), please do not enter the church.  Please return home and contact the NHS on 111 to get tested.

If you are vulnerable due to health reasons or if you are officially shielding we recommend you continue to fulfill your obligations by joining Mass online, remember that during this period there is no Sunday obligation and that Pope Francis invites us all to be part of Spiritual Communion during these difficult times.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience these new measures cause, however we make these conditions in line with government and diocesan guidelines to protect the health of our parish and wider community.  We hope you will understand and we hope you will be as happy as we are to start this careful and gentle return to worship.

Radio Broadcast of Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi on BBC Radio 4

Good news for Catholics who do not have access to the internet but do have a radio, 

Sunday Worship will broadcast Mass 

celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols 

from Westminster Cathedral 

on Sunday 14 June at 8.10 am.

Please pass this message on to anyone who 

would welcome this news, perhaps a parishioner, 

a member of your family or among your friends. 

Update on Re-opening of Church for Private Prayer

While we are pleased that the UK government has stated that churches can open for private prayer from the 15^th of June 2020, we still have to work on the details of the guidelines/risk assessments needed with the Diocese to make sure churches are safe to open.  Once these have been completed, the Diocese will know which Churches can open.  We will keep everyone up to date when there is news of what our Church is able to offer.  

Getting ready to open again is not a quick and simple process but we are working on the guidelines and we hope to be able to offer some small ways of opening the church safely in the near future, with everyone’s health in the forefront of all decisions.

Keep checking the website for any updated information.

Whilst we are still unable to receive the Eucharist due to the coronavirus pandemic, remember the spiritual communion prayer that can be said from home.

“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. 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,”

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School - Re-Opening & New Reception Class 2020

As Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School has re-opened this week and they they would like to share a video to reassure families and make children aware of new routines and changes to the environment ahead of their return.  Watch the video here

The school also have a special welcome video for the new Reception Class of September 2020 who would in normal circumstances have an induction session this term.  Watch the welcome video here

Further information on their re-opening can be found on their new COVID-19 information page and more information on the new Reception Class will be available soon on their New Reception Class 2020 page the school website.

For more information, please contact the school directly on Tel: 01454 867160, Email: admin@olol.org.uk or visit their website

Pentecost Sunday - National Rosary Rally

National Rosary Rally 9am to 9pm – England, Wales, Scotland

Pope Francis is encouraging Catholics to pray the Rosary in their family homes during the month of May, especially when the Pandemic is making us aware of the value of our families and making it possible for us to pray together in lockdown at home.  He encourages simple Rosaries and joining online Rosary initiatives to pray to Our Lady for deliverance from Covid-19 and he has composed two prayers for this intention.  At some point between 1pm and 2pm  join Bishop Declan and so many others around our Diocese in saying the rosary in your home, to pray for an end to the pandemic. 

Click here to download the flyer

Pentecost Message from Bishop Declan

Watch Bishop Declan's Pentecost Message here

Special Newsletter from the Diocesan Safeguarding team

A special newsletter from the Diocese Safeguarding team, giving advice and guidance whilst we adhere to the current lockdown situation.  www.cliftondiocese.com/departments/safeguarding

A Prayer in Times of Isolation - I'm staying at home, Lord!

This beautiful prayer was written by an Italian priest who is self-isolating at the moment and very sadly lost his own brother a few days ago to Covid-19…

I’m staying at home, Lord! And today, I realize,
you taught me that, remaining obedient to the Father, for thirty years in the house of Nazareth,
awaiting the great mission.

I’m staying at home, Lord, and in Joseph’s workshop, your guardian and mine,
I learn to work, to obey, to round the corners of my life
and prepare a work of art for you.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And I know that I’m not alone because Mary, like any mother,
is in the next room, doing chores and preparing lunch
for all of us, God’s family.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And I do it responsibly for my own good,
for the health of my city, of my loved ones, and for the good of my brother, whom you put beside me,
asking me to take care of in the garden of life.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the silence of Nazareth, I commit myself to pray, read, study, meditate,
be useful for small jobs, in order to make our house more beautiful and more welcoming.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the morning, I thank you for the new day that you give me,
trying not to spoil it and to welcome it with wonder, as a gift and a surprise from Easter.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And at noon, I will receive the greeting from the angel, I will make myself useful for love,
in communion with you who made yourself flesh to live among us;
and, tired by the journey, thirsty, I will meet you at Jacob’s well, and thirsty for love on the Cross.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And if the evening takes me melancholy, I will invoke you like the disciples of Emmaus:
stay with us, the evening has arrived and the sun is setting.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the night, in prayer communion with the many sick people, the people alone and all the caregivers, I will wait for dawn to sing your mercy again and tell everyone that in the storms you were my refuge.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And I don’t feel lonely and abandoned, because you told me:
I am with you every day. yes, and especially in these days of confusion, O Lord, in which,
if my presence is not necessary, I will reach everyone, only with the wings of prayer.

Amen

Letter from the Resound Foodbank

Dear foodbank friends and supporters

First please let us say thank you so much for all your support over the past few weeks. It has been simply amazing to see how the community has responded and pulled together at a time when, to be quite frank, we could all be hiding ourselves under the duvet! We have had almost everything we need - whenever some stocks start to run a bit low someone turns up with a big box of whatever we were short of!

We moved over, temporarily, to home deliveries last week. We are just getting ourselves familiar with that new way of working which has been an interesting new challenge, coupled with being much busier than usual.  (2 - 3 time busier and growing.) We seem to be feeding around 60 - 70 people each week; this isn't the number of vouchers but the number we feed. We're seeing up to 20 vouchers weekly but that figure is rising.

So our appeal this week is for your continued donations of long life items: tinned meats (hot and cold), tinned fruit, UHT meat, rice - or anything that will sensibly make a nice meal. 

We are also appealing for disposable gloves and hand sanitiser. We don't have any gloves for the volunteers and no individual sanitiser for our drivers. If you could help even with a single bottle or pack that would be so appreciated. Drop offs can be made to Resound Monday - Thursday 10am - 12pm  (call 0117 3050969 first) and Fridays 9am - 1pm.

Finally, we have all the boxes and tape we need for the moment - thank you to everyone who has brought that. If we don't use all the boxes up we will invite you all to the best ever junk modelling session once lock-down is over! 

Bless you all for your kindness and care for your neighbours.

Foodbank Update

Having the embrace constant change at the moment, the foodbank will be moving over temporarily to a HOME DELIVERY ONLY service.

As well as still requiring our usual items on our shopping list, they are also asking for donations of sturdy cardboard boxes which we can use for our home deliveries.  An ideal size would be around 400mm x 300mm and 300 - 400mm deep but a little bigger or smaller would also be great. Very large boxes aren't suitable as they become too heavy to safely carry. Please don't drop boxes at supermarkets - only at the Resound Centre.  If anyone had a roll or two of parcel tape that would also be amazing!

Resound will be open most mornings between 10am - 12pm and always on Friday mornings 9am - 1pm.

Fr John Murphy O.M.I. RIP

Father John Murphy OMI, our Parish Priest from 1985-1989, died in the early hours of the morning on 8th April 2020 at the House of Retreat, Inichore, Dublin.

Please remember him in your prayers, as well as his family and friends.

May he rest in peace.

Fr John Murphy OMI - A Biography