Fourth Sunday of Eastertide

Tristitia vestra vertetur in gaudium. alleluia!

Your sorrow shall be turned to joy. Alleluia!

Communion antiphon for the third Sunday after Easter (EF).

Dear Friends,

Our social isolation sadly continues and one of the most difficult separations is surely that of being separated from the Real Presence of the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament and finding ourselves unable to be present at the Sacrifice of Calvary and the inspiration of the Resurrection in this Easter season.

We have entered the month of May - Mary's month - and I find myself wondering how the Holy Family might have lived out their lives in the home at Nazareth if they were in lockdown. Reliance on each other, patience and prayer and a certain confidence in the love of God our Father would surely have marked their days. Pondering human difficulties and tragedies in their hearts and still managing to say "Yes" in co-operating with God's grace.

Pope Francis encourages us to pray the Rosary most especially in these trying times. Click on the link to read his exhortation: Pray the Rosary.

Let us accept that invitation to ponder the mysteries of life next to the Mysteries of our Salvation

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Your Mass intentions will still be offered as requested and you may continue to send them in: this week for...

For the people of the parish

Mary Walmsley, RIP

Chris Thewlis and family

Kirsten Base and Family

Thanksgiving to Our Lady of Mount Carmel for prayers answered

For those contemplating abortion and their families

Your Prayers are asked for all the sick, including: Rita Sarbrick, Rosena Stacey, Vivienne Lee, Tom Miller, Paul Casey, Linda Melling, Tilly Gee, Kathleen Ward, Clare Butler, Maureen MacDonald, Louie Baines, Maureen O'Brien, Margaret McNiff, Elle Miller, Mark Duncan, Hild Gibbons, Bill Sutton, Barbara Fow, Mary Ann Monaghan, Bernard Lawson, Mick Marshall, Carol Parkinson, Margaret Cheston, Eric Neilson, Alan Cottam, Seámus McLoughlin.

We pray for those who are housebound and for those who love  and care for them.

O Mary conceived without sin - Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

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If you would like to pray through the Mass online or via TV here are some links below. Some people find it a way of preparing in some fitting way to make a Spiritual Communion in these times when the actual Mass is not available:

If you have access to Facebook, the beautiful little church of Corpus Christi on Maiden Lane in London has Mass each day.           https://www.facebook.com/corpuschristimaidenlane

Also on Facebook, the Canons at St Walburge's in Preston stream many Masses and Devotions: https://www.facebook.com/icksp.preston/

If you have Sky TV or you can also access EWTN at: https://www.ewtn.com/

With many other programmes that you might find useful.

The Oratorians at Cardiff: http://cardifforatory.co.uk/live-stream/

 
The Fathers of the Fraternity of St Peter also stream their Masses and devotions from Warrington St Mary's at: http://s3.amazonaws.com/livemass/warrington/index.html 

You can even join in Mass live from Westminster Cathedral: http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/index.php

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Please do continue to keep in touch via our Parish Facebook page and my blog. I continue to be in touch with parishioners via phone calls in particular, although I've realised my database is woefully inadaqute in this area. Updating project for when things get back to normal.

Like many parts of society, the financial effect of the lockdown is also a concern for our parish. May I ask that, if you are able, please continue to put aside your weekly offering each Sunday and bring it with you when things return to some normality. If you would like a Standing Order form, please contact me. 

God keep you,

Fr Simon.