The Parish of St Joseph and
The Parish of St Charles Borromeo
Sheffield
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Letter from Fr Mark McManus 1st March
 
Dear Parishioners of St Joseph's & St Charles,
 
As I promised yesterday, I am writing to you about the forthcoming necessary Ceiling Repairs to St Joseph's Church following plaster falls in both January and December of 2020.

As a Listed Building the Historic Churches Committee have specified that, after erecting the necessary scaffolding, the work will 'underboard' the existing painted plaster panels between the existing rafters/joists with new boards to be bolt fixed through the retained plaster panels. The specified expanding bolts will be fixed into the concealed timber laths above the rafters/joists. The existing stain finish of the rafters/joists will then be protected and the panels decorated as before.

The work will cost £26,670. The contributions to the building fund that have kindly and faithfully been made over the past year will be applied to this cost. Should you wish to make a specific donation towards the work it will be gratefully received.

In order that the work is completed as swiftly as possible the church will be temporarily closed from Monday, 8 March, until Saturday, 27 March.

During this period Mass will be celebrated OUTSIDE on

Saturdays, 13 & 20 March, at 5.00pm
& Sundays, 14 & 21 March, at 10.00am

It is important to note the following:
  • Social distancing rules still apply. Please stay two metres from anyone who is outside your household or social bubble.
  • The gates will be half-closed so that cars will not be able to park inside the church grounds.
  • No seating will be provided for Mass outdoors. You are welcome to bring a chair or a blanket. I estimate, should you wish to remain sanding throughout, that Mass will take no more than 20 minutes.
  • You should be prepared for wet and/ or cold weather. No toilets will be available.
  • As in last July, I shall erect a small altar at the door to the presbytery – covered from the elements – and, when Mass has concluded, I shall distribute Holy Communion from the porch of the church (undercover).
  • Please follow any instructions from the stewards.
  • Those closest to the church porch should come forward first for Holy Communion and then leave the grounds, gradually followed by those who are next nearest and so on. This will allow our exit from the premises to be somewhat orderly and staggered.
  • There will be a collection box by the presbytery where you may deposit any offering you may wish to make.
The feast of St Joseph will be transferred to the Saturday, 20 March, 5.00pm Mass.

I shall continue to offer Holy Mass in the church early in the morning throughout the week for you all and for any requested intentions. Remember that the obligation to attend Mass does not apply at present. This means you do not have to go to Mass. Live-streamed Masses continue to be broadcast.

Please kindly pass on the above to anyone you know who does not have access to the internet or e-mail. Thank you.

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