FR DAVID WRITES
Today we keep the great solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). We send you every blessing and good wish for this feast of the Holy Eucharist. We celebrate the real presence of Christ who feeds us with his own self and invites us to draw near to his saving death on the cross. As St Paul says, 'Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes.'
REOPENING OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH
From Monday, our church will be open every day, initially from 12pm-2pm. We understand these hours are limited but they will allow us to become accustomed with the new procedures we have been working on. Thank you to all those who have volunteered to help. Our church is a safe and welcoming place for all who want to visit. You might like to pray quietly, visit the Blessed Sacrament, or light candles. If you do come, please bear in mind the following:
• The church is open for private, silent prayer only. We kindly ask that parishioners do not gather in groups to pray out loud.
• Please observe the 2m social distance policy.
• Please use the hand sanitiser on the way in and the way out.
• There is a one-way system (in through the normal doors, and out through the central doors)
• The pews are marked where you can and cannot sit.
• Please don't bring anything with you to leave behind in the church.
• There are no toilet facilities available, either in the church or the hall.
• Please note that although our office is now being manned on some days, it is still closed to visitors. We ask that you either phone or email us but please don't ring the doorbell as we will not be able to let you into the presbytery.
Most of all, we are really pleased to reopen the church. We know that many of you will appreciate the opportunity to visit this house of prayer and peace. God bless you all.
ST MONICA'S CHURCH
St Monica's are also planning to reopen this coming week. Their planned times are Monday-Friday (1pm-3pm) and Saturday (2pm-4pm).
PARISHIONERS WITHOUT INTERNET
Do you know someone in our parish who doesn't have the internet at home? Perhaps there are parishioners in your street or who you know nearby who cannot access the services and information online. We already know of a number of parishioners in this category and we have been able to register some of them for our telephone Mass. We're working on some other initiatives. If you know of someone who would like to be more connected, please let us know on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ask them to ring us.
CARDINAL'S MESSAGE FOR CORPUS CHRISTI
You can watch the reflection from Cardinal Vincent Nichols here:
https://rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/news/corpus-christi-lords-gift-of-himself/
MASS ON BBC RADIO 4
On Sunday morning (14 June) the Cardinal will celebrate Mass at the cathedral which will be broadcast live on Radio 4. The programme begins at 8.10am.
MASS FOR SCHOOLS
The Cardinal will also celebrate a Mass for all our schools on Thursday 18 June at 11.30am. This will be streamed from Westminster Cathedral and can be viewed on their live-feed:
https://www.churchservices.tv/westminster
FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART
This coming Friday, 19 June, is the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Please join us online for Mass at 10am and a Holy Hour of devotions at 5pm. Friday abstinence is removed on this day.
CARDINAL'S REFLECTION ON REOPENING CHURCHES
Cardinal Nichols reflects that the reopening of churches for private prayer is a big step forward for our society at this point in the epidemic:
https://rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/news/cardinal-opening-churches-for-individual-prayer-is-big-step-forward-for-society/
MATTHEW'S GOSPEL
In this Year of the Word, you can listen to the Gospel according to St Matthew here:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/the-god-who-speaks/scripture-seekers/the-gospel-according-to-st-matthew/