As of tonight, Saturday 19 December, and following the Government’s statement this afternoon, there will be no change to our opening times, as we remain in Tier 2. In fact, even in Tier 4 areas, churches can remain open: ‘Unlike the November national restrictions, communal worship can continue to take place in tier 4 areas.’ ( https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/prime-ministers-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19-19-december-2020 )
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THE FUTURE: Bishop Richard last week announced that from 10th January 2020, the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation and St. Francis will be joined onto Billingshurst Parish. This will mean adaptations in both churches for the celebration of Mass. Starting on Sunday 10th January, Mass at St Gabriel’s, Billingshurst will be at 9.30am and the Mass at the Shrine in West Grinstead will be at 11am. These times will be evaluated after Easter to see if any modification is needed. The weekday timetable will be Masses at Billingshurst on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 9.30am and on Thursday at 7pm – and Mass at West Grinstead continuing on Wednesdays at 12 noon. We look forward to working with the good people of St Gabriel’s and through the intercession of Our Lady, St Francis and St Gabriel, celebrating together our Catholic faith.
We wish to thank Fr Aaron most sincerely for his exemplary ministry with us here, at the Shrine. When restrictions allow, we very much hope to celebrate such an uplifting, supporting and spiritually enriching period for us. Fr Aaron’s last Mass with us will be on Wednesday 6 January at Midday on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
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*** PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE HEATING AT OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH IS NOT FUNCTIONING AT PRESENT. SPARE PARTS ARE ON ORDER, BUT THEIR ARRIVAL WITH THE ENGINEERS IS, AS YET, UNCLEAR. IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE WRAP UP WARM!***
Forthcoming services at Our Lady of Consolation: PLEASE SEE THE NOTE BELOW ON PRE-BOOKING
Sunday 20 Dec – 10.30am Mass: Fourth Sunday of Advent. Mass Intention: For Vocations to the Priesthood in our diocese
Monday 21 Dec – 7pm ‘Advent Reconciliation Service’ (Confessions) – Three priests will be present
Wed 23 Dec – NO Wednesday Midday Mass: (Of necessity, the church is closed for Christmas preparation)
Thurs 24th Dec – ‘Midnight Mass’: 9.30pm preceded by ‘Carols by Candlelight’ at 9pm. Mass Intention: The repose of the souls of the deceased benefactors of the Shrine
***PLEASE NOTE THAT, because of Covid restrictions on numbers, THE NUMBERS NOW BOOKED FOR THE ‘MIDNIGHT MASS’ ARE ALREADY AT MAXIMUM. HOWEVER THERE ARE STILL SEATS AVAILABLE AT THE 10.30 CHRISTMAS DAY MASS: Please sign up on the clip-board in the Church Room, or phone the parish office on 01403 710273 – Thank you
Friday 25th Dec – Nativity of The Lord: 10.30am Mass.
Sun 27th Dec – 10.30am Mass: ‘The Holy Family’. Mass Intention: The future mission of the Shrine at West Grinstead
Wed 30th Dec – Wednesday Midday Mass preceded by Confessions at 11.30am. Mass Intention: The Homeless
Fri 1st Jan – 10.00am Mass: ‘Mary Mother of God’ (Sol). Mass Intention: The eradication of Covid 19
Sunday 3 Jan – 10.30am Mass: Second Sunday of Christmas. Mass Intention: Dolorous Frendo Cumbo R.I.P
Wed 6th Jan – Mass 12 Noon: The Epiphany of the Lord (Sol). Mass Intention: The new, joint Missions at Billingshurst and West Grinstead
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Deacon Seamus is retiring after fourteen highly successful years of dedicated service at West Grinstead. We give grateful thanks for his long and devoted service to the Lord and to our Mission. There will be an opportunity to thank him properly in the New Year, once restrictions allow. Deo Gratias!
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We are now presenting our normal sale of Christmas card packs in the Church Room. The cards will be sold in a Covid-secure manner
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At St John’s, Horsham . . .
Parish Foodbank – The St John’s Share Shop – This will remain open each day when the church is open. Please continue to donate food, toiletries and baby goods. There has been a significant take up of this. Please share this initiative with anyone you may know who might need some extra help – Fr Aaron
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St John the Evangelist, Horsham offers live streaming on its website, and via Facebook. Just click on this website link and scroll down to the live link: https://www.stjohnshorsham.com
St Gabriels Billingshurst – Sunday at 10.30: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoGj75ew6tu744_6tFK9WNQ
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/
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 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 being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
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Daily Readings – please click on: https://www.stjohnshorsham.com/team
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Please remember the sick and housebound in your prayers at this time: Sick clergy of the Diocese including Fr Stephen Purnell, Fr. Ray Blake, Fr Peter Andrews, Reverend Canon Colin Wolczak, Sr Zita. Patrick Brennan, Sheila Budgen, Callum, John Challis, Maya Connolly, Jim Chambers, Viv Griffiths, Justine, Shane Fahy, Aila Figura, Joshua Hayter, Norbert & Patricia Mallet, George Peach, Paschal Radford, John Burke, Glynis Taylor, Charlotte Walker, Sue Batstone, Sharon Bean, Laura Rawlinson (Walshe), Liz Burridge, Nigel Nicoll.
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