| Letter from Fr Mark McManus 4th September |
| Dear Parishioners of St Joseph's & St Charles', |
| Public Masses this week at St Joseph's church are: |
| Saturday, 5 September, at 5.00pm & Sunday, 6 September, at 8.30am & 10.00am & Tuesday, 8 September, at 10.00am & Friday, 11 September, 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.
Booking for the 10.00am Mass this Sunday, 6 September, in St Joseph's church IS NOW CLOSED. Bishop Heskett will ordain Simon Hegarty to the Permanent Diaconate at this Mass. Do please remember Simon and his family in your prayers and Bishop Heskett also. 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. 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 |