| Letter from Fr Mark McManus 8th January |
| Dear Parishioners of St Joseph's & St Charles, |
| Although there is a clear message that we should ;Stay at Home; and do everything to minimise contacts outside our household for the next couple of months the latest H.M. Government Guidance for Places of Worship states that 'You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship.' However, 'You must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble if you do attend a service.'
Some churches, even here in Sheffield, have taken the decision to temporarily close – playing their part in relieving pressure on the NHS – but I hope we are able to remain open while we can. Please remember that there is no obligation to attend the public celebration of Mass at present and that you can make a spiritual offering of your own self-denial. Let us remain vigilant and do all that we can to respect the health and safety of each other. If you are in the shielding category please follow guidance from the NHS. We have to leave the doors open to ensure adequate ventilation. It will be cold in church, so wrap up warm. So, as you can still come to Holy Mass during the present national lockdown, our public Masses this coming week at St Joseph's church should be: Saturday, 9 January, at 5.00pm &
Sunday, 10 January, at 9.00am & 10.00am & Tuesday, 12 January, at 10.00am & Friday, 5 January, at 10.00am FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED IN CHURCH UNLESS YOU HAVE AN EXEMPTION THIS IS NOW LAW You MUST NOT come to church if: You are unwell or somebody in your household has coronavirus symptoms, for example a cough or high temperature. Please follow the directions of the stewards. Some Intentions for Prayer
Here are some intercessions that you may wish to use in your personal or family prayer.
Church Cleaning & Stewarding
The continuing work of our voluntary church cleaners and stewards remains the bedrock of our ability to open and use our church. Without them the church would be closed and we are immensely thankful for all that they do. If you have returned to church, have seen how things are done, and now feel ready and able to volunteer then please contact me. More hands help spread the load. Thank you.
Weekly Offertory Envelopes
An order for offertory envelopes for 2021 is due to be placed at the beginning of January. However, during lockdown, a number of you who generally use envelopes have kindly made your donation by bank transfer instead. You may now wish to continue making an offering this way once we return to more 'normal' times. If you decide that you no longer want to use an envelope please advise us by the end of the year so that our order can be amended. If you are a tax payer and have signed a declaration your offering will still be recorded for gift aid purposes regardless of which method you use to donate.
Car Parking
Drivers should note that the logs that previously marked part of the border of the presbytery lawn have been replaced with stones. 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.
Track & Trace App & QR Code
We shall continue to record the names and contact details for people attending the church for private prayer. 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).
Finally, this week's newsletter is here. I wish you all a blessed feast day for the Baptism of The Lord, Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us. St Joseph, pray for us. St Charles Borromeo, pray for us. With my prayers, Rev. Mark McManus Parish Priest |