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NOVENA FOR PENECOST
Message form Fr Tony 20/5/20
Dear friends, I hope you are all keeping well and safe.
We soon celebrate Ascension and Pentecost, Christ returning to the right hand of the Father in Heaven and the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit into our hearts and Church. It has been a very strange Easter season! Despite the difficulties and challenges, we are called to live as His people, filled with with the Holy Spirit. Let us continue to pray for those who have died, may God grant them the joy of Heaven. May He give comfort to the bereaved, sick and overburdened. May He help us to bring the good news to all peoples.
Some parish news, we are hoping to begin opening some of our churches from early July. At first it will be for short periods of quiet prayer, we will obviously have to adhere very strictly to guidelines that will be issued to us. I celebrate Mass for your intentions every day, please God we will soon be able to gather together as His family for the Eucharist. We will also rearrange first communion, confirmation etc as soon as we can. All subject to advice from the Diocese and civil authorities! I will pass on any information when I have it.
Please do continue to support your parish with your prayers and giving. I realise that many people are worried at this time about jobs and finances, but if you are able to contribute please do so. (details about giving on the website) We are also looking at how we manage finances and maintain our buildings in the coming years, one proposal is that we might demolish the presbytery at St. Mary’s and sell some of the land at the side of the church for housing. I’m sure that people will have lots of different suggestions so it will be important that all have an opportunity to share ideas and plans in the coming months.
Let us keep each other in our prayers, I hope to see you all again soon!
God bless you all,
Fr .Tony
Churches togather Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Ascension Day Launch Video Event
Thy Kingdom come Click here for PDF file
COVID-19 Bereavement Support
Breaking the News to Children and Young People When Someone is Seriously ill With Coronavirus (COVID-19)
http://chums.uk.com/covid-19-bereavement-support/
Guidance for Families Who May Not Be Able to Attend A Funeral
http://chums.uk.com/covid-19-bereavement-support/
Parish Donations
There are three ways to donate:
1) To make a donation to the parish please contact the parish office by phone 01582 662710 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to obtain the banking details that you will need to give to your bank.
2) Donation can go through the online Virginmoneygiving. They included details of the parish name and area or parish priest (Easter offering) that the donation is intended.
To use the Donation page on the main Diocesan website go direct to: to https://northamptondiocese.org/donate/
3) From enquiries we have received we understand that some of our parishioners would prefer to donate by telephone instead of via our online donation facilities. Therefore, in addition to the online donation facilities currently available, we are proposing to begin a ‘Giving Tuesday’ commencing on Tuesday the 5th of May 2020. Each Tuesday between 10:00am and 4:00pm, people will be able to call this number, 01604 712065, and donate to your parish. All they will require is their debit or credit card to hand when they call. They can make a one-off donation to cover their missed Sunday offerings or call each week knowing their offering is going to the parish they wish.
Daily Mass live streaming from our Cathedral and other churches see below
Bulletin
Please pray for the recently deceased:
Patrick Thurlow and Mabel Izzard , Geraldine Bottom, Albert Lubin, June Clavis,Kitty Maher and Agnes Milne, Patrick Gorey, Kath Hubbard, James Sharkey.
If you have any concerns/issues please contact Fr Tony on 01582 662710
NO ONE SHOULD FEEL ALONE
We are making a list of people who might appreciate a friendly chat on the phone now and again and ‘phone buddies’ to partner them.
If you or anyone you know might appreciate the friendship of a phone buddy or you yourself could support someone in this way please ring Rosemarie 01525 220644 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Local News
Bedfordshire Care of the deceased group- 2nd Meeting: 16th April 2020 Click Here!
Coronavirus –Looking after your mental health- Click Here !
Pastoral News
Northampton
Bishop David
I am conscious that there are a considerable number of people around the Diocese who are due to be baptised or received into full communion with the Church, to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and to receive their First Holy Communion. Obviously, all these celebrations are delayed through the coronavirus crisis.
For futher information Click Here
Retreats online
First set of speakers from the Australian Pentecost retreat: https://www.pentecostpilgrimage.com (available on catch up)
Catholic Voices webinar: From Crisis To Mission: Helping parishes to face the challenges of lockdown
Fiona O'Reilly (this is one in a weekly series on this topic).
Updated resources for churches in lockdown.
http://formationpathways.co.uk/parish-life-cv/
Dealing with grief and saying goodbye
Accessible Masses for people with learning difficulties and a signed Mass for the deaf
Resources from Divine Renovation, Catholic Voices and others on imagining our "new normal"
And much more.
Monsignor Kevin McGinnell VF- Episcopal Vicar for Education and Formation
NORES Northampton Religious Education Service, RC Diocese of Northampton
Food Bank
During these challenging times another vital aspect is our care for each other. One way is contributing to our local Food Bank. Donations can be left at Christ Church, West Street, during food bank opening days, Tuesday and Fridays afternoons 2.30pm-4.30pm. Dunstable food Bank thanks all the parish for their 'amazing' contribution of £355.92.
Houghton Regis Food Bank
Morrison's have offered to provide food for people in need in Houghton Regis during these difficult times.
The food bank is also aware of some households where there is a much higher level of complexity and will work with them.
Please contact Father Tony who will put you in contact with the Food Bank: on 01582 662710
Father Tony Brennan Parish Priest
The celebration of Mass daily, 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 communication: 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.
Details about the pathway of prayer and sacramental life from : https://universalis.com/
Funerals
All Sacraments are postponed until further notice with the exception of 'Anointing of the Sick' and emergency 'Baptisms'. Funeral services will take place at the graveside or in the crematorium where numbers are limited to family members only.
Any concerns/issues please contact Fr Tony on 01582 662710
CAFOD - in a time of Isolation further resources, prayers, liturgies and reflections are available to support you in your prayer life. Also available fun activities for children from education resources pages - cafod.org.uk.
Studham, Kensworth and Whipsnade (SKAW)
Coronavirus Response Group
In our villages, local organisations are joining together to support all those who may need help in the current health emergency. Click here.
Allan MacDonald Parishioner of St Marys
Allan is training for the priesthood and is based at St Boniface London. He is doing daily Vespers on youtube if you wish to join him and subscribe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLtqrk-dYmA
MVE 200 Club
The MVE 200 CLUB draw will take place on 19th April and results announced soon after.
WATCH THE HOLY MASS LIVE
CHURCH SERVICES ENGLAND AND IRELAND
https://www.churchservices.tv/
NORTHAMPTON CATHEDRAL
Live streaming of Mass on Sundays is available through the Cathedral at 11am.
https://northamptondiocese.org/live
DIOCESE OF WESTMINSTER
Daily live streaming from various churches
https://rcdow.org.uk/news/how-to-participate-in-mass-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak
NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM
Pilgrim Mass are available to watch LIVE each day 12 noon.
http://www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream
VATICAN NEWS WITH LIVE STREAMING
https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html
CHRIST THE KING COVENTRY: STATION OF THE CROSS
Live streaming daily at 15:00
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/christ-the-king-church-coventry
Studham, Kensworth and Whipsnade (SKAW)
Coronavirus Response Group
In our villages, local organisations are joining together to support all those who may need help in the current health emergency. See PDF file
The Liturgy Office has produced some prayers for use in the current crisis.
CORONAVIRUS PRAYER
Monsignor Kevin McGinnell VF
Episcopal Vicar for Education and Formation
NORES, Northampton Religious Education Service
Catholic Diocese of Northampton
33 Westbourne Road, Luton, LU4 8JD
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 01582 723312
M: 07889 762005 www.nores.org.uk
MASS TIMES
ST MARYS Saturday 6 pm Sunday 9:30 am
ST VINCENTS Sunday 11:30 am
ST ELIZABETH No Masses
Confessions at St. Mary's before the 6 pm Mass on Saturdays
Mass on Holidays St. Vincent's 10 am and St. Mary's 7 pm
VOLUNTEERING
There is a role for everyone from simple but essential tasks to Parish groups and coordination.
Consider engaging with Parish life so we can become an even more vibrant Parish family community.
Northampton Diocese Privacy Notice, please READ!