| Letter from Fr Mark McManus 2nd October |
| Dear Parishioners of St Joseph's & St Charles', |
| Public Masses this week at St Joseph's church are: |
| Saturday, 3 October, at 5.00pm & Sunday, 4 October, at 9.00am & 10.00am & Tuesday, 6 October, at 10.00am & Friday, 9 October, at 10.00am |
| You can choose to attend one of any of the 5 Masses - there is no Sunday obligation at present. Live-streamed Masses continue to be broadcast. Let us do all that we can to respect the health and safety of each other. When the church is full you may not enter the church. However, if you wish, you may remain outside as the main doors of the church will still be open and you can follow Mass there. As people leave the church you may then enter by the porch to receive Holy Communion.
Changed Sunday Mass Time at St Joseph's THIS Weekend
From this Sunday, 4 October, the Sunday morning Masses at St Joseph's will change to 9.00am & 10.00am. Polish Masses at St Charles
Bearing in mind the number of different groups who customarily use the church, the size of the church and the present demands regarding public health, the bishop has decreed that the church of St Charles should temporarily serve only the Polish community. Fr Leszek, the chaplain, and the Sheffield Polish Catholic Mission, having fulfilled the necessary inspection and review of procedures, are now able to use the church. I shall of course inform you of any future change and I apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience caused.
November Dead List 2020 - 2021
The celebration of a holy Mass is the simplest yet also the greatest means by which the Church on earth provides care and assistance for the dead - though we can also assist them in their 'journey' through the purification of purgatory by means of our prayers, offered sufferings and penances, especially when they have indulgences attached to them.Beginning in November we offer Masses for the Parish November Dead List throughout the year. If you would like to enrol a loved one on the list so that they will be included in these Masses please, write the names of your deceased family, friends and benefactors, and put it, together with your offering, into the offerings box in the church. Alternatively, you can hand it to me or e-mail me the details also. Finally, please mark the list for St Joseph's or St Charles. First Holy Communion
Given the current pandemic we have not yet celebrated our 2020 First Holy Communion and yet the time for registering for our 2021 classes is drawing near. Such an occasion is an important and memorable moment in our journey of faith and I would, in the circumstances, nonetheless like our children to have the best experience that we can safely manage (e.g. not making their First Holy Communion masked if possible). With this in mind - and seeking to maintain the identities of the two different groups - I would hope we might be in a position to celebrate these important events next year in March or April for this year's group and May for next year's group. Should any parent or child from this year's group feel differently please feel free to contact me. The details for registering for the 2021 group will appear soon.
Reading & Altar Serving
Readers - I propose having one reader at Mass using a microphone situated by St Joseph's statue. You may read from your own missal, Magnificat, etc, or a sheet will be provided for you.Altar Serving - I'm afraid handling the books and sacred vessels is still not permitted but carrying acolytes and ringing the bells (all suitably cleansed between Masses, etc) should be possible. Clearly, cassocks and cottas would have to be taken home and not worn by anyone else If you are interested in either of these then please let me know by this Sunday, 27 September. Thank you. Car Parking
Do feel free to use the available parking space at the church but do be aware of the need to socially distance upon entering and exiting your car. Remember, the staggered nature of our departure from church means that you may have to exercise a little patience while waiting for someone ahead of you to move their car - a perfect opportunity to make a thanksgiving after Holy Communion.
FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED IN CHURCH
We are required by HM Government to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces where there are people they do not normally meet, this includes churches.
For those who find such coverings uncomfortable please be encouraged that Mass is shorter than usual and also that there are exemptions to this requirement:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers#exemptions-face-coverings If you are not exempt and you do not want to wear a face covering you may remain outside the church; the main doors will still be open and you can follow Mass from there. As people leave the church you may then enter by the porch to receive Holy Communion. Track & Trace App & QR Code
We now display at the entrance to the church and also inside a QR code so that, if you have a smartphone, you can scan the QR code when you arrive, using the NHS COVID-19 app. This is to help trace and stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please contact me if you wish to arrange for the Sacrament of Baptism for your child. Baptisms will be carried out on an individual basis and your group must not exceed more than 12 people (this includes the child, the parents and Godparent/s). You may not exceed this number and no exceptions should be sought. Finally, I attach this week's newsletter. Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us. St Joseph, pray for us. St Charles Borromeo, pray for us. With my prayers, Fr Mark McManus |