Full Closure of Catholic Churches
Following the Prime Minister’s historic announcement on the 23 March strengthening restrictions in an attempt to combat the spread of COVID-19, Catholic Churches are closed to the public at this time.
Prime Minister’s statement on Monday 23rd March link CBCEW guidelines link.
List of Live Streaming Church’s in Archdiocese of Birmingham link
You can join us online Christ the King livestream Join us daily for Mass at 9.30am, Stations of the Cross at 3pm, Rosary at 7pm. See below for times of services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.
From this weeks newsletter:
“Firstly, I want to ask for your prayers for Fr Michael Stack who is seriously ill in hospital in Kings Lynn with the Coronavirus. We continue with our electronic version of the newsletter. I am sure it helps us all keep in contact and hopefully makes us feel part of the parish community. This week we begin Holy Week and so there will be some slight changes to the weekly routine. On Palm Sunday we will have the 9.30am Mass as usual with Stations at 3.00pm and Rosary at 7.00pm. This will continue through Monday to Wednesday. On Thursday we will have Mass of the Last Supper at 7.00pm, followed by a short period of prayer. On Good Friday at 9.30am we will have the Office of Readings, the Veneration of the Cross at 3.00pm and we will ring the Church Bell at that time, and Stations at 7.00pm. Holy Saturday we will have Office of Readings at 9.30am and the Vigil just as it’s getting dark at 8.00pm. Easter Sunday Mass next week will be at 9.30am. I hope that you have been able to make Palms for the celebration of Mass this Sunday.
For next week, we would like to start a competition for our children. They can make a Christian Easter Garden, an Easter Bonnet or paint an Egg. We will have prizes for under 7s, 7 – 11 and 11+. Fr John will judge the competition and you can send your entries over the next few weeks to frjohnwaters@outlook.com. Entries in by Saturday 18th April please. We will award Easter prizes to the winners in all of the categories.
As you know you are dispensed from Easter duties. It is not possible to come to Mass, but you can take part through our Webcam. You are also exempt from Confession and at the bottom of the Newsletter is a guideline from the Archbishop including a simple prayer that we can say during Holy Week asking for forgiveness of sins. I will be using this in the week as part of the Liturgy of our Mass. ………God Bless, Fr Tom”
This weeks newsletter in full 5th April
Follow the daily Readings at Mass, click below:
Make an Act of Spiritual Communion
This can be done whilst you watch a live stream of Mass being offered by saying the following prayer:
“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 if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.”
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament cannot be celebrated over the telephone or by conference call. A pastoral conversation and reassuring prayer may of course take place by these means. Requests for individual confession are very difficult to meet, given the demands of staying at home, social distancing and church closure. Priests must refuse such requests for these reasons.
Dispensation from Easter Duties
In their letter of Dispensation 18th March 2020, the President and the Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said “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.”
Many of the faithful will be aware of their Easter Duties; that is to receive Holy Communion during the Easter Season and by custom, to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation beforehand. The Code of Canon Law (CIC 920) says each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year. The requirement for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation comes from the need to be in a state of grace to receive Holy Communion (CIC 916).
Since it is not possible for the faithful to receive Holy Communion at this time, and into the future, the Bishops of England and Wales have dispensed the Easter Duties for the year 2020.
The Bishops have asked that all should make a Perfect Act of Contrition at this time. Perfect contrition (or a Contrition of Charity) is true and real sorrow for our sins which is created when we realise the immense love of God for each one of us. We express this contrition when we realise how we offend God by our sinful words, deeds and omissions in contrast to the immeasurable love and mercy that He continually shows us.
This requires us to be contrite of heart for what we have done, know and be overwhelmed by the love and mercy of God for His children, and to approach this grace with humility and resolution not to sin again.
An Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
The God Who Speaks link Weekly Meditations by Fr Dries Van den Akker S.J on the Paintings of St Matthews Gospel by Peter Clare. Palm Sunday: Sunday 5 April – Matthew 21:01-11 link
Birmingham Archdiocese: Website news link e-newsletter sign up link The Sower Lent 2020 link
Archive: link
Christ the King 360 degree virtual tour link St Augustines 360 degree Virtual tour link
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