Fr Colin writes:
We have eased some of the seating restrictions in the church, enabling everybody to have a seat at Sunday Masses. However, please try to continue social distancing as far as possible. From September, we plan to have a Eucharistic Minister distributing Holy Communion as well as the priest, at Sunday Masses. This will enable two lines to come up the central aisle to receive Holy Communion. However, communion under only one kind will continue— we will not be able to receive from the chalice for the time being.
The bishops have said that the suspension of the Sunday Mass obligation will continue at least until the 1st Sunday of Advent. This means that you are not obliged to attend Sunday Mass but we hope that with some of the restrictions lifted, more people will be attending Mass. The church has proved to be a safe place with the ventilation, social distancing, sanitising and cleaning.
We will continue to use the track and trace system to record your presence when you come to church. Also the QR code is available. Fortunately, we have not had to ping anybody so far.
There are now no restrictions on numbers attending baptisms, weddings and funerals in the church. However, the cemetery and crematorium may still have restrictions.
This newsletter covers the whole of August. The next Takehomenews will be on 5th September. I will be away in the 1st half of August and Fr David in the 2nd half.
God Bless, Fr Colin.
Meeting of Eucharistic Ministers
There will be a meeting for Eucharistic Ministers on Thursday 2nd September at 7.30pm. In the church. This is to plan the re-introduction of two people distributing Holy Communion at Sunday Masses.
Recently Deceased
Please pray for the repose of the souls of BRIDGET LOVE whose funeral takes place on Tuesday 3rd and for CHARLIE MOORE. May they rest in peace.
Extra Mass on Mondays
Starting later on in September, we plan to introduce an extra Mass on Mondays at 12Noon. Details will be given in the next Takehomenews.
The Sunday gospels of august
On Sunday 1st August (18th Sunday of Year B), 8th August (19th) and 22nd August (21st) we are treated to Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist from St John’s Gospel. There are some memorable quotes that come from this Chapter 6 of St John: ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry’. (verse 35). ‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever’. (verse 51) ‘The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life’. (verse 63). During this month, we have time to reflect on the great gift of the Eucharist. What we receive is our best means to eternal life. This is our spiritual food to help us through the ups and downs of the present life on our journey to eternal life. The fact that we have been denied this spiritual food at various times in the past year, should make us more appreciative of God’s greatest gift of himself.
On Sunday 15th August we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Gospel for this day is the account of the Visitation of Our Lady to her cousin Elizabeth during which she proclaims that great prayer which we know as the Magnificat. Mary recognised the great privilege she has been given. From a lovely position, she has been put on high. On the Feast of the Assumption we share in the joy that Mary has been assumed into heaven, a sign of hope for us on our own pilgrim journey.
On Sunday 29th August (22nd Sunday Year B), the Pharisees complain to Jesus about his disciples not following the washing and cleansing rules. Jesus uses this as an opportunity to speak about the inner cleansing rules to follow God’s commandments.
St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre
Gail Williams, who is the Manager of St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre in Hendon, will be speaking at Masses on the weekend of 4th/ 5th September.
Gift Aid
We thank all parishioners who are paying by direct debit or envelopes and have signed a Gift Aid Declaration. We ask any parishioner who is a tax payer and donating through the loose plate to please consider donating instead by direct debit or envelope.
Any parishioner who has stopped being a tax payer should inform Susan in the office.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 5th September at 4pm in the church.
Foodbank for the community
Very many thanks to all those who have provided food for the foodbank. This outlet is now closed and will resume in September.
Right To Life UK
1st - “We pray for all unborn children diagnosed with disabilities, we pray for protection for them and their mothers from the pressures of society to have an abortion, and that they would instead experience overwhelming support by all who surround them. Lord hear us” 8th - “We pray for all women going through unexpected pregnancies, that they would experience peace and support in this circumstance, and recognise the many blessings that motherhood brings. Lord hear us” 15th - Yesterday we celebrated the feast of St Maximilian Kolbe, patron saint of the pro-life movement. On this feast of the Assumption, we ask for his intercession, along with Our Lady’s, as we the church seek to support all pregnant mothers through their pregnancies, and that we would become models of support and charity to all in society. Lord hear us.” 22nd - “We pray for the families and friends of pregnant women. That they would recognise their responsibility to care for both the mother and child, and that they would shower them with love and support through the journey of pregnancy and beyond. Lord hear us” 29th - “We bring to mind the words from James in our second reading and his call to look after those in need. We pray that, as a church, we would improve how we look after those who are experiencing difficulty in their pregnancies and provide the care and support they need in welcoming their child to the world. Lord hear us”
Some Saints of the Month
2nd—St Eusebius of Vercelli & St Peter Julian Eymard
4th– St John Vianney, Priest.
7th—St Cajetan, Priest.
9th—St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
10th —St Lawrence , Deacon & Martyr
11th—St Clare,
12th—St Jane Frances de Chantal
13th—Ss Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs.
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