OVER HALF A MILLION PEOPLE JOINED IN, ONLINE, TO PRAY TOGETHER AT THE REDEDICATION ON Sunday 29th March

Click on the following link to Walsingham – giving the background to the Rededication and a re-run of the liturgical celebrations:

https://www.behold2020.com

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The current ‘lock-down’ situation presents us all with an excellent opportunity to express our gratitude for our glorious, life-affirming faith in a simple but most effective way – through online giving to support our parish. Also this will become a vital replacement for Sunday ‘plate collections’ while the crisis lasts. Pope Francis said ‘Generosity enlarges the heart’, and we are most grateful for your generosity if you are able to use this facility. To donate on-line, simply click on the link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/parishoffertory

When doing so, please remember to state the name of our parish – Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead – to ensure donations end up with the parish: Thank you indeed!

Alternatively, you might wish to set up a Standing Order – as a great number of us do at West Grinstead – to manage our ‘planned giving’. If so, please contact Geoff Callister via email: geoff.callister@gmail.com or phone the Priest’s House on 01403 710273 – thank you.

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MAY OUR BLESSED LADY PRAY FOR US AND OUR COUNTRY, NOW AND ALWAYS

There is live streaming at 12 Noon each day from the Catholic Shrine at Walsingham: http://www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream

 

Live Mass is also streamed from St Mary of the Angels, Worthing at 10.30am SUNDAY & 10.00am Weekdays (7.30pm Wednesdays). Go to: https://www.stmaryoftheangels.org.uk/catholic-mass-online/

 

Further, live Mass is streamed at the following times from Sacred Heart Church, Hove: Monday: 10:00am; Tuesday: 10:00am; Wednesday: 8:00am; Thursday: Noon; Friday: 8:00am; First Saturday of the Month: Noon; Saturday: 6:00pm;                                          Sunday: 9:30am and 11:30am. Please visit http://www.sacredhearthove.org.uk/videos.html

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Richard

pastedGraphic.png

Bishop of Arundel & Brighton

PASTORAL MESSAGE

24th March 2020

Dear brothers and sisters,

Following the Government announcement yesterday, mandating the closure of places of worship, I have informed all our parish priests that, with immediate effect, all churches, halls and associated facilities must be closed until further notice.

This requirement has been made with a heavy heart, for I am very conscious of the importance of our churches for all of us.  They are places where we celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacraments and hear the Word of God proclaimed and explained.  They are places of prayer, reflection, rest and peace.  They are places where we gather as communities, offering a welcome to so many.

This closure comes at a very difficult time for us all, but it is vital that we work with everyone else in society to do everything we can to respond to the crisis caused by the Coronavirus, Covid-19.  The more effective we are in observing the present restrictions, the more effective will be the response.   

It goes without saying that it is very difficult for us not to be able to join in the celebration of the Eucharist.  The fact that Masses are being celebrated day by day in all our churches – albeit behind locked doors – will, I know, be a comfort to us all.  The Mass reaches beyond those closed doors, for the whole world, together with the angels and saints, is present whenever the Eucharist is celebrated.

Join in these celebrations through live-streaming whenever you can.  The churches providing this service are listed on the Diocesan Website and information is also available on e-news.  If you are not signed up to our Diocesan e-news, please do so now.

I cannot encourage you strongly enough to continue your lives of prayer and your reflection on the Scriptures.  Pray the Rosary and, in this Season of Lent, reflect on the Stations of the Cross.  There are many resources available on-line.

Many of you will have taken part in the Nation-wide moment of prayer on Saturday-last.  I call on you all to join in this practice each week; the lighted candles in your windows offering a beacon of hope to others.

Know, too, that the Lord is with us on this difficult stage of our journey.  He never leaves us and – perhaps as never before – we are called upon to follow Him, persevering in faith, hope and love for the good of all.

May Mary, the Mother of Christ and our Mother too, intercede for us.

Be assured of my own prayers for you all, especially those who are affected personally by the Coronavirus and all working in healthcare in our hospitals and communities.

With every Blessing,           pastedGraphic_1.png

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AN ADDRESS FROM OUR PARISH PRIEST, FR AARON:

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have announced that public worship will be suspended from Friday evening (March 20th)

“In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives must change. This includes the ways in which we publicly express our faith. It is very clear that, following official advice and in order to keep each other safe, save lives and support the NHS, at this time we must not gather for public acts of worship in our churches. This will begin from Friday evening, 20th March 2020, until further notice.

However, the celebration of Mass, Sunday by Sunday and day by day, will take place without a public congregation.

Knowing that the Mass is being celebrated; joining in spiritually in that celebration; watching the live-streaming of the Mass; following its prayers at home; making an act of spiritual communion: this is how we share in the Sacrifice of Christ in these days. These are the ways in which we will sanctify Sunday, and indeed every day.

We want everyone to understand that in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed. This is, without doubt, the teaching of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2181). This pandemic is the ‘serious reason’ why this obligation does not apply at this time.”

This means there will sadly be no public Mass at Our Lady of Consolation until further notice. 

The Pilgrimage programme for 2020 will also be suspended until further notice

Mass will be celebrated, as we have been instructed to say these privately behind closed doors – Fr David or I will celebrate these Masses.

Until such time that public health advice is that congregations can gather safely:

All baptisms will be deferred.

Funerals and Weddings – please contact the Parish Priest.

Please make sure you check the Parish Website, St John’s Church, Horsham website, the Facebook Page of St John’s Church where I can update you all more regularly @stjohnscatholicchurchhorshamuk and the Parish Twitter Account @catholichorsham to find up-to-date information.

I am so sorry about this decision, taken out of my hands, it is made for the good of those who are vulnerable and for assisting our NHS.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life and to be without it and to not be able to gather for the Mass is a deep wound in our hearts. I shall remain available if you need me, if you need the Sacrament of the Sick or the Last Rites call me.

I shall keep you all in my prayers as we walk the Way of the Cross together. Our Lent will last longer than anticipated.

We are in communion together but it a different way. I encourage families to pray together at home, keep the Sunday holy, and I will direct parishioners to resources that are available.

I will endeavour to set-up live streaming of Mass here at St John’s, as soon as possible, so that at least we can participate in the Sacrifice of Mass albeit at a distance.

Parish Emergency Mobile: 07566 277227

Fr Aaron

 

 

THE REDEDICATION OF ENGLAND AS OUR LADY’S DOWRY: NOON, Sunday 29th March

Click on the following link to Walsingham – giving the background to the Rededication and live-streaming of the liturgical celebrations:

The Rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary

PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH VIA THIS WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS, AND CLICK ON THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE TO LOAD THE LITURGY FOR THE REDEDICATION ITSELF AT NOON ON SUNDAY, 29th.

MAY OUR BLESSED LADY PRAY FOR US AND OUR COUNTRY, NOW AND ALWAYS

There is live streaming at 12 Noon each day from the Catholic Shrine at Walsingham: http://www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream

 

Live Mass is also streamed from St Mary of the Angels, Worthing at 10.30am SUNDAY & 10.00am Weekdays (7.30pm Wednesdays). Go to: https://www.stmaryoftheangels.org.uk/catholic-mass-online/

 

Further, live Mass is streamed at the following times from Sacred Heart Church, Hove: Monday: 10:00am; Tuesday: 10:00am; Wednesday: 8:00am; Thursday: Noon; Friday: 8:00am; First Saturday of the Month: Noon; Saturday: 6:00pm;                                          Sunday: 9:30am and 11:30am. Please visit http://www.sacredhearthove.org.uk/videos.html

 

Richard

pastedGraphic.png

Bishop of Arundel & Brighton

PASTORAL MESSAGE

24th March 2020

Dear brothers and sisters,

Following the Government announcement yesterday, mandating the closure of places of worship, I have informed all our parish priests that, with immediate effect, all churches, halls and associated facilities must be closed until further notice.

This requirement has been made with a heavy heart, for I am very conscious of the importance of our churches for all of us.  They are places where we celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacraments and hear the Word of God proclaimed and explained.  They are places of prayer, reflection, rest and peace.  They are places where we gather as communities, offering a welcome to so many.

This closure comes at a very difficult time for us all, but it is vital that we work with everyone else in society to do everything we can to respond to the crisis caused by the Coronavirus, Covid-19.  The more effective we are in observing the present restrictions, the more effective will be the response.   

It goes without saying that it is very difficult for us not to be able to join in the celebration of the Eucharist.  The fact that Masses are being celebrated day by day in all our churches – albeit behind locked doors – will, I know, be a comfort to us all.  The Mass reaches beyond those closed doors, for the whole world, together with the angels and saints, is present whenever the Eucharist is celebrated.

Join in these celebrations through live-streaming whenever you can.  The churches providing this service are listed on the Diocesan Website and information is also available on e-news.  If you are not signed up to our Diocesan e-news, please do so now.

I cannot encourage you strongly enough to continue your lives of prayer and your reflection on the Scriptures.  Pray the Rosary and, in this Season of Lent, reflect on the Stations of the Cross.  There are many resources available on-line.

Many of you will have taken part in the Nation-wide moment of prayer on Saturday-last.  I call on you all to join in this practice each week; the lighted candles in your windows offering a beacon of hope to others.

Know, too, that the Lord is with us on this difficult stage of our journey.  He never leaves us and – perhaps as never before – we are called upon to follow Him, persevering in faith, hope and love for the good of all.

May Mary, the Mother of Christ and our Mother too, intercede for us.

Be assured of my own prayers for you all, especially those who are affected personally by the Coronavirus and all working in healthcare in our hospitals and communities.

With every Blessing,           pastedGraphic_1.png

+++++++++++++++++++++

AN ADDRESS FROM OUR PARISH PRIEST, FR AARON:

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have announced that public worship will be suspended from Friday evening (March 20th)

“In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives must change. This includes the ways in which we publicly express our faith. It is very clear that, following official advice and in order to keep each other safe, save lives and support the NHS, at this time we must not gather for public acts of worship in our churches. This will begin from Friday evening, 20th March 2020, until further notice.

However, the celebration of Mass, Sunday by Sunday and day by day, will take place without a public congregation.

Knowing that the Mass is being celebrated; joining in spiritually in that celebration; watching the live-streaming of the Mass; following its prayers at home; making an act of spiritual communion: this is how we share in the Sacrifice of Christ in these days. These are the ways in which we will sanctify Sunday, and indeed every day.

We want everyone to understand that in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed. This is, without doubt, the teaching of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2181). This pandemic is the ‘serious reason’ why this obligation does not apply at this time.”

This means there will sadly be no public Mass at Our Lady of Consolation until further notice. 

The Pilgrimage programme for 2020 will also be suspended until further notice

Mass will be celebrated, as we have been instructed to say these privately behind closed doors – Fr David or I will celebrate these Masses.

Until such time that public health advice is that congregations can gather safely:

All baptisms will be deferred.

Funerals and Weddings – please contact the Parish Priest.

Please make sure you check the Parish Website, St John’s Church, Horsham website, the Facebook Page of St John’s Church where I can update you all more regularly @stjohnscatholicchurchhorshamuk and the Parish Twitter Account @catholichorsham to find up-to-date information.

I am so sorry about this decision, taken out of my hands, it is made for the good of those who are vulnerable and for assisting our NHS.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life and to be without it and to not be able to gather for the Mass is a deep wound in our hearts. I shall remain available if you need me, if you need the Sacrament of the Sick or the Last Rites call me.

I shall keep you all in my prayers as we walk the Way of the Cross together. Our Lent will last longer than anticipated.

We are in communion together but it a different way. I encourage families to pray together at home, keep the Sunday holy, and I will direct parishioners to resources that are available.

I will endeavour to set-up live streaming of Mass here at St John’s, as soon as possible, so that at least we can participate in the Sacrifice of Mass albeit at a distance.

Parish Emergency Mobile: 07566 277227

Fr Aaron