Contrary to the incorrect information given by the BBC this morning, churches are not permitted to open today. Permission is given for for churches to open from next Monday and this is only for private prayer. There are strict guidelines that have to be followed before a church is ready to be opened and the Archdiocese of Birmingham issued a 24 page Risk Assessment for us to complete in order to comply with these regulations.
Out of our three churches, St Michael's is large enough and has the best access so we are focusing on opening this church first. Some alterations have to be made, however on the Fire Doors and a company are coming in next week to deep clean the church. We also need to have a training session with our volunteers who will be stewards and cleaners. For all these reasons it will therefore not be able to open this week but we do hope to open next Sunday, 21st June for a couple of hours. I will keep you posted. In the mean time, please let anyone you know who does not have the internet that the Cardinal is celebrating Mass on Radio 4 tomorrow morning (Sunday 14th June) at 8.10 am. Wolverhampton City Council have issued a Press Release about the opening of Churches, Mosques and Temples all all places of worship across the city. Click the link below for the full text of the statement. To open our church, even for an hour once a week, requires a fair amount of preparation and we need good teams of stewards and cleaners. These volunteers need to be under 70 and have no underlying health problems. We need to start small and then expand things as we begin to get used to all the necessary procedures.
The plan therefore would be hopefully to open St Michael's for an hour (or possibly two hours) on a Saturday, perhaps, for private prayer in front of the Exposed Blessed Sacrament with access to light candles next to the statues of Our Lady and the Sacred Heart (these will not be in their normal chapels but in a specially designated area.) In order to do this we will need to satisfy all the requirements laid down by the Archdiocese of Birmingham. If we do not satisfy these requirements, we will not be allowed to open. At present we do not have enough volunteers to be able to open. Please consider if you are able to volunteer, either to be a cleaner or a steward. You will be required to wear PPE which will be provided by the parish for you own safety. If you are able to volunteer, please let Fr Mark know as soon as possible, either by email or on 01902 423005. If you phone and I am not in, please leave your contact details. I realise parishioners of SS Peter & Paul and St Bernadette's will be disappointed that their churches will not be opened yet but St Michael's has disabled access, plenty of space, and enough doors to enable a separate entrance and exit. This is a beginning and, God willing, we will soon be able to expand this provision for private prayer and eventually the celebration of Mass and the other Sacraments. You may remember at the beginning of lock down there was an ecumenical initiative to light a candle and pray at 7.00pm on Sunday Evenings. This is indeed why here at Giffard House we moved Adoration and Vespers to 7.00pm in order to be praying at the same time as this initiative. If you click the button below you can see a short video produced by our Multi Academy Company, the St Francis and St Clare MAC. As you know, our Catholic Schools welcome children from all religions and none and it has been wonderful that so many have responded to the "Shine a Light" Initiative. The video shows a selection of photos that have been sent in.
The Government has now given the go-ahead for some churches to open if they can satisfy all the necessary safety requirements. The Archdiocese is sending out Risk Assessment Forms this week and once these are completed, the diocese will decide which churches will be able to open. If any of the churches in our parish are to open, this would only be for a short time each week and we will need a team of volunteers and cleaners. Please let Fr Mark know if you can help as soon as possible but please note that to volunteer you must be under 70 and have no underlying health problems.
As you already know, the only way we have been able to live-stream Masses has been to use Fr Mark's mobile phone. It is also clear that live-streaming will continue to be the forefront of the mission of the Church for many months to come. As a parish, therefore, we need a more permanent and secure way of bringing Mass to people's homes. To do this, we need to set up a 5G internet connection at the presbytery (there are no high-speed cable connections in our area of the city) and fix a permanent camera within the church. We have been given special permission by the Historic Churches Committee for this project to go ahead.
We realise that finances are difficult for everyone at the moment but if you know people who might be able to help, we have set up an online appeal to raise funds. For more details, click the appeal advertisement picture above or go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rcwlvwest. NOTE: When donating via JustGiving, the checkout will automatically add an additional amount to donate to their online giving platform. You can choose not to donate to JustGiving by using the drop-down menu and selecting "other". You can then set the amount to "£0.00" if you wish. The drop-down menu is highlighted by a red box below. A downloadable version of the bulletin is available on the Mass Times and Bulletin page. If you know someone who does not have access to the internet, please print off a copy for them. OPENING OF CHURCHES FOR PRIVATE PRAYER There is a possibility that one of our churches may be opened for private prayer very soon. This will involve much work behind the scenes in order to ensure that visitors will be safe.
It would be very helpful if you could let Fr Mark know if you would like to come into the church to pray so that we can gauge how often the church needs to be opened. We also need volunteers who are not in any vulnerable group, to clean the church or act as stewards. If we do not have enough cleaners of stewards, we will not be able to open the church. Please let Fr Mark know if you are able to volunteer. DIAL FOR MASS We are trying a new system where you can just use your telephone to listen to Sunday Mass. It is important that only people who do not have the internet use this because we only have 50 spaces for callers. It is very simple, on Sunday Morning from 10.55 am onwards phone 0333 0164 757 then when asked for the room number, dial: 50078530 # and then when asked for the pin number, dial: 4441 # This will take you straight through to the phone in church and you will be able to listen to Mass. Let us know if it works! JUNE DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART On Sundays of June after Mass, we will be praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart. There will be a copy of this on the website, so if you don't have the Internet, please ask a friend to print off a copy for you. YELLOW/ORANGE THEMED QUIZ prepared with the support of young parishioners now on the website: why not "phone a friend" attending at another church for parish trivia help! Answers in 3 weeks. [email protected] The answers to the previous quiz are now on the website. Ask a friend to print them off if you do not have access. MARYVALE SACRED HEART NOVENA All are invited to join online for the Annual Novena to the Sacred Heart at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart at Maryvale Institute. There will be a Mass, Sermon and Novena live-streamed each evening at 8pm from Thursday 11 June to Friday 19 June 2020 (Feast of the Sacred Heart). Archbishop Bernard Longley will be celebrating Mass on Sunday 21 June at 11am (on the day the ‘physical’ Pilgrimage would have taken place). It will be live streamed from St Chad’s Cathedral. Full details, and how to access each event, are available on the Diocesan website: https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/news/join-online-maryvale-sacred-heart-novena and Maryvale Institute website: https://www.maryvale.ac.uk/novena-2020.html SUPPORTING THE HUNGRY: If you are unable to use online money donations to support eg Good Shepherd Ministry please consider dropping off items through your hour of exercise for the addresses below. Items listed in bold run out quickly, though all are welcomed. These can be left at the Brothers (2, Richmond Road or at GS Ministry Waterloo Road premises) The Vicarage, 21A St Jude’s Rd WV6 0EB. Here is a list of suitable items needed: UHT milk; Fruit juice; Tinned meat; Tea/coffee; pasta sauce; Tinned vegetables and tomatoes; Soup (inc Pot Noodles); Pasta; Rice; Lentils, beans and pulses; sugar; Tinned fruit; Biscuits; Household items (soap, laundry detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid) Toiletries (deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand wipes; Feminine hygiene products ):; Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food. UNITE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS As we cope with the virus in the UK, we think of our sisters and brothers in developing countries who are facing this pandemic with fragile health systems, some of which have almost no intensive care beds or ventilators. Food prices have risen, the poorest are losing their jobs with wholesale shutdowns. Furthermore, inadequate healthcare, lack of access to washing facilities and limited ability to social-distance will result in loss of life on an intolerable scale. Please will you sign the CAFOD petition to ask the government to work with other world leaders to help the most vulnerable people in our world to cope with this crisis? https://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Latest-campaigns/Unite-against-coronavirus MASS INTENTIONS if you would like a Mass offered for someone, please ring Fr Mark on 10902 423005 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS This is a difficult time for many people but if you are able to continue giving an offering to the church, please consider paying directly into the parish account. Please follow the directions on our website. FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Paula Box, Dorothy Stephenson, June Abbiss, Peter Holmes, Alice Stevens, George Brown, Chris Starkey, Ann Lewis, M Mary, Thomas Mackin, Stephen Briggs, Hilary Elsden, Katherine Poole, Teresa Mitchell, Ann Bayley, Helen O’Brien-Coleman, Mary Abbiss, Peggy McHale, Patrick Quinn, Fred & Celia Norton, Jean Hollingshead, Margaret Stokes, Leah Nixon, Pat Pool, John Dolan, Liam Dolan, Marie Looker, Lorna Ciraulo, Pat Eades, Helen Porter, Mary Kirby, Sheila O’Toole, Tony McGinn, Brendan Bleakley. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY: Dorothy Stephenson, Mary Lawley, Anne Patterson, Fr David Duggan, Kathleen Bowman, Alfonsina Lombardi, Tony Haden, Ignatius Kelly, Margaret Vicino, Claire Hallett, Mike Huntbatch, Celia Saddler, Susie Andrews, Noreen James. May they rest in peace. Safeguarding Representatives: Steve & Chris Callow (St Michael) 01902 340775, Maria Iafigliola (SS Peter and Paul) 07931406866 Ann Shorthouse (St Bernadette) 01902 326334 These parishes are part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Registered as a charity No. 234216. Archbishop of Birmingham + Bernard Longley Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales: Statement on the Killing of George Floyd3/6/2020
“We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the USA as they challenge the evil of racism and the brutal killing of George Floyd. As the US Bishops made clear: “we cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy, and justice.”
Systemic racism is embedded in our own society. The disproportionate harm suffered by BAME people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted profound inequalities, marginalisation and injustice here in the UK. The peaceful Black Lives Matter protests taking place in our towns and cities this week reflect the understandable anger that so many people feel about this. As Catholics we recognise that racism is an evil which must be opposed; we all have a responsibility for actively promoting racial justice. Whenever we ignore racism or dismiss BAME people’s experience of it, we are complicit in violations of human dignity. We pray for God’s help to overcome racism in all its forms and that we might protect everyone who suffers its consequences. We are all made in God’s image.” Bishop Declan Lang Lead Bishop for International Affairs Bishop Paul McAleenan Lead Bishop for Racial Justice DIAL FOR MASS We are trying a new system where you can just use your telephone to listen to Sunday Mass. It is important that only people who do not have the internet use this because we only have 50 spaces for callers. It is very simple, on Sunday Morning from 10.55 am onwards phone 0333 0164 757 then when asked for the room number, dial: 50078530 # and then when asked for the pin number, dial: 4441 # This will take you straight through to the phone in church and you will be able to listen to Mass. Let us know if it works! COLETTE BOWMAN expresses her deep gratitude for everyone’s Masses, prayers, support and acts of kindness. Particular thanks to St Michael’s SVP members. God Bless you all, for the Christian love always shown to her mother, Kathleen Bowman, in her life and now her death. May she rest in Peace. (Her funeral was on Friday 29th May.) WHEN WILL THE CHURCHES BE OPEN? I am sure many people feel frustrated when seeing that more shops will be opening soon and yet there is no news about the opening of Churches. There is, however, much planning going on behind the scenes and on Friday I received a set of provisional guidelines from the diocese about how we will go about opening churches when we are given the go ahead to do so. This involves buying Personal Protective Equipment for those who will be stewarding and cleaning. It will take a fair amount of organisation and we will be discussing all of this at an online Pastoral Council Meeting this Thursday. JUNE DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART Yes, it is June already this week! On the Fridays of June after Mass we will be praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart. There will be a copy of this on the website, so if you have friends that do not havet have the Internet, please print off copies for them. YELLOW/ORANGE THEMED QUIZ prepared with the support of young parishioners now on website: why not "phone a friend" attending at another church for parish trivia help! Answers in 3 weeks. [email protected] The answers to the previous quiz are now on the website. Ask a friend to print them off if you do not have access. SUPPORTING THE HUNGRY: If you are unable to use on-line money donations to support eg Good Shepherd Ministry please consider dropping off items through your hour of exercise for the addresses below. Items listed in bold run out quickly, though all are welcomed. These can be left at the Brothers (2, Richmond Road or at GS Ministry Waterloo Road premises) The Vicarage, 21A St Jude’s Rd WV6 0EB. Here is a list of suitable items needed: UHT milk; Fruit juice; Tinned meat; Tea/coffee; pasta sauce; Tinned vegetables and tomatoes; Soup (inc Pot Noodles);Pasta; Rice; Lentils, beans and pulses; sugar; Tinned fruit; Biscuits; Household items (soap, laundry detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid) Toiletries (deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes; Feminine hygiene products ):; Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food. CAFOD The effects of coronavirus on developing countries where CAFOD works are to be devastating. Families without enough to eat and without access to clean water and healthcare are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. The poorest and most marginalised communities will be pushed further into poverty. Your prayers and gifts are needed now more than ever to help protect the lives of those in poor communities. While we are not able to hold physical collections in our church, you can donate as individuals at cafod.org.uk/coronavirusappeal Mass intentions if you would like a Mass offered for someone, please fill in the form on our website or ring Sr Lydwin on 01902 341 343. Financial Contributions This is a difficult time for many people but if you are able to continue giving an offering to the church, please consider paying directly into the parish account. Please follow the directions on our website FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Paula Box, Dorothy Stephenson, June Abbiss, Peter Holmes, Alice Stevens, George Brown,
Chris Starkey, Ann Lewis, M Mary, Thomas Mackin, Stephen Briggs, Hilary Elsden, Katherine Poole, Teresa Mitchell, Ann Bayley, Helen O’Brien-Coleman, Mary Abbiss, Peggy McHale, Patrick Quinn, Fred & Celia Norton, Jean Hollingshead, Margaret Stokes, Leah Nixon, Pat Pool, John Dolan, Liam Dolan, Marie Looker, Lorna Ciraulo, Pat Eades, Helen Porter, Mary Kirby, Sheila O’Toole, Tony McGinn, Brendan Bleakley. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY: Mary Lawley, Anne Patterson, Fr David Duggan, Kathleen Bowman, Alfonsina Lombardi, Tony Haden, Ignatius Kelly, Margaret Vicino, Claire Hallett, Mike Huntbatch, Celia Saddler, Susie Andrews, Noreen James. May they rest in peace. We are trying a system where someone you know who does not have the internet can use their telephone to listen to Sunday Mass tomorrow. It is important that only people who do not have the internet use this because we only have 50 spaces for callers. Please call your friends today who would benefit from this and explain to them what they need to do.
It is very simple, on Sunday Morning from 10.55 am onwards, the person needs to ring in using the following instructions:
This will take you straight through to the phone in church and they will be able to listen to Mass. Let us know if it works! Please note that the individual will be charged at the same rate as standard landline numbers. If their phone tariff offers free calls to landlines at certain times of day, or has inclusive calls or bundled minutes that cover calls to landline numbers, calls to this number (and all other 03 numbers) will be included in these deals on the exact same basis. There is a wonderful opportunity this afternoon at 4.30pm to pray the rosary with people all across the world for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost. Click below for the link to join with the Pope.
This Saturday 30th may at 4.30 pm our time, the Holy Father will praying the Rosary with people who have had direct experience of the COVID pandemic - nurses, doctors, care home staff, patients and chaplains. This will be live-streamed and linked with the Rosary being prayed in shrines around the world including Lourdes, Fatima, San Giovanni Rotondo, Pompei, Czestochowa, Immaculate Conception in Washington DC and so on. we are all invited to join with the Holy Father by praying and watching this event, either on Vatican TV or EWTN. We will put a link up on the Online Services page on Saturday.
Unfortunately, there have been many scam emails sent out in my name. If you see an email that purports to be from me, check the email address that it has come from. If it is not [email protected] or [email protected] then it is not from me and needs to be deleted immediately. Many thanks, Fr Mark
The printable version of this bulletin is on the Mass Times and Bulletin page. Please print out a copy for any neighbour who does not have the Internet. Please note the printed version excludes many of the internet links. PENTECOST NOVENA The nine days after the Solemnity of the Ascension to Pentecost are traditionally set aside for prayer uniting ourselves with the Apostles gathered with Mary in the upper room in Jerusalem waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is where we get the term, Novena, which comes from the Latin word for nine- Novem. Novena prayers are available to print out on the website. Please print off copies for friends who do no have the internet. There are also great prayer resources from the “Thy Kingdom Come” initiative, which can also be found on our website.
VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES Those who have the internet will be able to follow the virtual pilgrimage online this week starting with Mass with the Archbishop at 3.00pm this Sunday. https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage Please tell your friends who are not online that you can submit their prayer intentions through the diocesan website link. THE CHOSEN There is an excellent recent production exploring the lives of the characters who met Jesus in the gospels. It was put onto youtube over Easter with a commentary before and after each episode. If you want to ignore the commentary, follow the links to watch it on the App. The episodes are well worth watching as a family, or to pass on to people who are interested in finding out more about Christianity as they give a wonderful insight into the the person of Jesus. For more information see https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBXOFnNTULFaAnj24PAeblg PENTECOST RETREAT You are welcome to attend a free online retreat over Pentecost weekend. For more information see https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/come-all-who-thirst-tickets-100837991146 SUPPORTING THE HUNGRY: If you are unable to use on-line money donations to support eg Good Shepherd Ministry please consider dropping off items through your hour of exercise for the addresses below. Items listed in bold run out quickly, though all are welcomed. These can be left at the Brothers (2, Richmond Road or at GS Ministry Waterloo Road premises) The Vicarage, 21A St Jude’s Rd WV6 0EB. Here is a list of suitable items needed: UHT milk; Fruit juice; Tinned meat; Tea/coffee; pasta sauce; Tinned vegetables and tomatoes; Soup (inc Pot Noodles);Pasta; Rice; Lentils, beans and pulses; sugar; Tinned fruit; Biscuits; Household items (soap, laundry detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid) Toiletries (deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes; Feminine hygiene products ):; Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food. QUIZ TIME: Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain: which flower was the badge of his Ducal House? The colours of the rainbow will be used as a basis for a series of parish quizzes. The first theme is therefore: red. A new one will come out every 3 weeks, with answers after 4. Answers - team or otherwise- can be sent to St Michael's and St Bernadette's Youth Group e-mail: [email protected]. Any questions:336534.The Quiz is on the website. If you don't have access, ask a friend to print it off for you. CAFOD The effects of coronavirus on developing countries where CAFOD works are to be devastating. Families without enough to eat and without access to clean water and healthcare are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. The poorest and most marginalised communities will be pushed further into poverty. Your prayers and gifts are needed now more than ever to help protect the lives of those in poor communities. While we are not able to hold physical collections in our church, you can donate as individuals at cafod.org.uk/coronavirusappeal Friends of the Holy Land launched an appeal in March for those impacted in Bethlehem and widened it on 3 April as a Pentecost Challenge to cover the whole of the region. They secured match funding for the first £100,000 and, with a few days to go to Pentecost, are close to reaching the target but are seeking help to get over the line. For more information look up https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/pentecost-challenge A Great Opportunity to Help: Scrubhub Wolverhampton is looking for people to either sew (material is already cut out for you) or drive deliveries of scrubs locally. If you could help or donate please email [email protected] or phone Helena on 07734926777. Thank you! Mass intentions if you would like a Mass offered for someone, please fill in the form on our website or ring Sr Lydwin on 01902 341 343. Financial Contributions This is a difficult time for many people but if you are able to continue giving an offering to the church, please consider paying directly into the parish account. Please follow the directions on our website. FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Dorothy Stephenson, June Abbiss, Peter Holmes, Alice Stevens, George Brown, Chris Starkey, Ann Lewis, M Mary, Thomas Mackin, Fr David Duggan, Stephen Briggs, Hilary Elsden, Katherine Poole, Teresa Mitchell, Mary Lawley, Ann Bayley, Helen O’Brien-Coleman, Mary Abbiss, Peggy McHale, Patrick Quinn, Fred & Celia Norton, Jean Hollingshead, Margaret Stokes, Leah Nixon, Pat Pool, John Dolan, Liam Dolan, Marie Looker, Lorna Ciraulo, Pat Eades, Helen Porter, Mary Kirby, Sheila O’Toole, Tony McGinn, Brendan Bleakley. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY: Mary Lawley, Anne Patterson, Fr David Duggan, Kathleen Bowman, Alfonsina Lombardi, Tony Haden, Ignatius Kelly, Margaret Vicino, Claire Hallett, Mike Huntbatch, Celia Saddler, Susie Andrews, Noreen James. May they rest in peace. Safeguarding Representatives: Steve & Chris Callow (St Michael) 01902 340775, Maria Iafigliola (SS Peter and Paul) 07931406866 Ann Shorthouse (St Bernadette) 01902 326334 These parishes are part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Registered as a charity No. 234216. Archbishop of Birmingham + Bernard Longley In these nine days leading up to the Solemnity of Pentecost, there are no set prayers as such. We are all just called to pray with expectation in the same way that the Apostles and Mary prayed in the upper room in Jerusalem.
We can offer Rosaries or read the Scriptures or any litanies of our own choice. We can also use the resources from the "Thy Kingdom Come" initiative which we can find on the Prayer Resources Page of this website. alternatively here are some traditional prayers to the Holy Spirit which we will be praying after Mass each day.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols spoke to presenter Justin Webb on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on the 14th of May about how Catholic Churches can be safely re-opened for private prayer as the UK government eases its lockdown restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19. You can listen to the interview using the radio player below.
Apologies, I was misinformed, it would have been Fr Duggan's 69th anniversary of ordination tomorrow. A wonderful witness to his long priestly ministry. Please remember him in your prayers. May he rest in peace.
God Bless, Fr Mark The arrangements for Fr David Duggan's Funeral have now come through. It will take place at Danescourt Cemetery on Friday 29th May at 12.00 noon. There will only be 10 mourners allowed to attend.
I will celebrate Mass, however, for his intentions online at SS Peter & Paul's on the same day at 12.00 noon. Please also remember him in our prayers this Tuesday as it would have been his 69th anniversary of priesthood. May he rest in peace. May I remind you that there is Adoration & Vespers this evening at 7.00pm. The texts can be found on our online services page. May God Bless you all this Sunday. Fr Mark The printable version of this bulletin is on the Mass Times and Bulletin page. Please print out a copy for any neighbour who does not have the Internet. THIS SUNDAY IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR EASTERN CHRISTIANS This Day of Prayer enables Eastern and Western Christians to come together in communion through prayer, and is shared by the Eastern Churches in communion with the Pope, including the Armenian Catholic, Chaldean, Coptic Catholic, Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic (in Africa), Greek Melkite, Maronite, Syrian Catholic, Syro-Malabar (in India), Syro-Malankara (in India). The Eastern Christians are direct descendants of the Early Christians and trace their roots back to apostolic times. There are more than 26 million Eastern Christians living in the Middle East and surrounding regions. For Western Christians, they provide a direct link to the Early Church, leading us to the roots of Christianity and showing us, through their tradition and witness, a living faith in Christ. Many Eastern Christians are suffering great persecution and trauma through the wars in the Middle East and desperately need our support. PRAYER FOR EASTERN CHRISTIANS “Heavenly Father, we pray today for peace in the world, especially in the Middle East. By your heavenly grace, strengthen the faith and hope of Eastern Christians. May they be blessed with peace and prosperity in their lands. And may we be inspired by their devotion and witness to the Gospel, by their love and compassion for all in their communities, and by their courage, their endurance and self-sacrifice against oppression. Through their charity, tolerance and friendship, bring peace and reconciliation to those troubled lands, where Christianity was born and first spread. Through Christ our Lord. Amen” PENTECOST NOVENA The nine days after the Solemnity of the Ascension to Pentecost are traditionally set aside for prayer uniting ourselves with the Apostles gathered with Mary in the upper room in Jerusalem waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is where we get the term, Novena, which comes from the Latin word for nine - Novem. There will be Novena prayers available to print out on the website before Thursday. Also there are some good resources for adults and for children on the "Thy Kingdom Come" website. Click below for more details. SUPPORTING THE HUNGRY: If you are unable to use on-line money donations to support eg Good Shepherd Ministry please consider dropping off items through your hour of exercise for the addresses below. Items listed in bold run out quickly, though all are welcomed. These can be left at the Brothers (2, Richmond Road or at GS Ministry Waterloo Road premises) The Vicarage, 21A St Jude’s Rd WV6 0EB. Here is a list of suitable items needed: UHT milk; Fruit juice; Tinned meat; Tea/coffee; pasta sauce; Tinned vegetables and tomatoes; Soup (inc Pot Noodles);Pasta; Rice; Lentils, beans and pulses; sugar; Tinned fruit; Biscuits; Household items (soap, laundry detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid) Toiletries (deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes; Feminine hygiene products ):; Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food. THE WELL, the home of Wolverhampton Food Bank, has written to thank us for the 606.9kg of food and toiletries donated for 'Free School Meal' children during the period June to December 2019. In 2019 The Well supported 10 000 individuals, one third of whom were children. More information can be found on www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk ROSARY DURING THE MONTH OF MAY The Holy Father has asked us to renew our devotion to praying the Rosary at home each day during the month of May. To help us pray together as a community, we will be praying the Rosary on Tuesday Evenings Online at 7.00pm. QUIZ TIME: Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain: which flower was the badge of his Ducal House? The colours of the rainbow will be used as a basis for a series of parish quizzes. The first theme is therefore: red. A new one will come out every 3 weeks, with answers after 4. Answers - team or otherwise- can be sent to St Michael's and St Bernadette's Youth Group e-mail: [email protected]. Any questions:336534.The Quiz is on the website. If you don't have access, ask a friend to print it off for you. CAFOD The effects of coronavirus on developing countries where CAFOD works are to be devastating. Families without enough to eat and without access to clean water and healthcare are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. The poorest and most marginalised communities will be pushed further into poverty. Your prayers and gifts are needed now more than ever to help protect the lives of those in poor communities. While we are not able to hold physical collections in our church, you can donate as individuals at cafod.org.uk/coronavirusappeal Coronavirus in Colombia Through the HandsOn project, SS Peter and Paul has been supporting the people of Magdalena Medio in Columbia. This is the latest update. “Covid-19 was formally identified in Colombia in March 2020. In late March the Colombian government closed the borders. Now healthcare services in the country have collapsed. Please pray for the people of Colombia, for CAFOD’s work there and especially for our friends in Magdalena Medio.” A Great Opportunity to Help: Scrubhub Wolverhampton is looking for people to either sew (material is already cut out for you) or drive deliveries of scrubs locally. If you could help or donate please email [email protected] or phone Helena on 07734926777. Thank you! Mass intentions If you would like a Mass offered for someone, please fill in the form on our website or ring Sr Lydwin on 01902 341 343. Financial Contributions This is a difficult time for many people but if you are able to continue giving an offering to the church, please consider paying directly into the parish account. Please follow the directions on our website. Faith leaders and government have agreed to develop a plan to enable the phased and safe reopening of places of worship when the evidence shows it is the right time to do so, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed today (15 May 2020).
This follows the first virtual meeting of the new Places of Worship Taskforce which includes leaders and representatives from all the major faiths. Earlier this week the government set out its ambition to reopen places of worship in step 3 of its plan to lift restrictions, which is expected to be no earlier than 4 July subject to further scientific advice. In recognition of how difficult it has been for people of faith to not be able to practice their religion with their community, members agreed to work together to consider whether some forms of worship, such as individual prayer, might be permitted in places of worship before they fully reopen in step 3, where appropriate and safe to do so in line with social distancing guidelines. Members of the taskforce also agreed to consult their faith communities on the measures being considered and to support ongoing engagement with their communities on this important work as it develops. The Communities Secretary also confirmed today that Faith Action will receive £125,000 to consult and engage with different community groups and places of worship up and down the country to ensure their views are represented at the Taskforce’s meetings. The Communities Secretary was clear places of worship will only be opened when the government is confident that people can use these spaces safely and will not put themselves or others at risk. You can read the government's press release in full by clicking the button below.
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The Holy Father invites us all to participate in an historical event this Thursday 14th May'
Last year, during a Global Conference in Abu Dhabi, the Holy Father and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb, signed a Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. One of the consequences of this agreement was to set up The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. This day of prayer has been proposed by this committee, inviting everyone, regardless of religion to participate. This is the first time in history that all religions are being brought together in prayer and fasting. There are no set time or set prayers for the day as this will be determined by each of the religions. Here are a few possible suggestions to choose from, however:
After the online Mass there will be a special prayer marking the day. God bless, Fr Mark Given the news from the Prime Minister this evening (Sunday 10th May) we will await news from the Bishops' Conference to see if this has any implications on the churches, but clearly this will not be for a while yet!
The sisters, and I have been going through the parish database and ringing people to see if they are doing all right. We have discovered a major problem, however, many of the entries are incorrect. This may have happened because of difficulties in reading handwriting when the entries were made into the computer or possibly that some entries which were copied from previous address books are simply out of date. If you are aware of any parishioner who has not been rung yet, therefore, please could you pass on their details to us so that we can make contact and also update the parish database. Many thanks God bless Fr Mark For a printable version of the bulletin please download a copy from the Mass Times and Bulletin page
Fr DAVID DUGGAN sadly passed away earlier this week. May he rest in peace. Once we know the funeral details I will offer Mass for him here online on the same day as the funeral . May 14th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER of all religions for an end to the pandemic. In February 2019 Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb, signed a Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, during a Global Conference on the topic in Abu Dhabi. An organisation, The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity , was set up to implement this document. This day of prayer was proposed by this committee, inviting everyone, regardless of religion to participate. This is the first time in history that all religions are being brought together in prayer. The Holy Father invites us all to participate in this historical event. SUPPORTING THE HUNGRY: If you are unable to use on-line money donations to support eg Good Shepherd Ministry please consider dropping off items through your hour of exercise for the addresses below. Items listed in bold run out quickly, though all are welcomed. These can be left at the Brothers at 2, Richmond Road or at GS Ministry Waterloo Road premises or The Vicarage, 21A St Jude’s Rd WV6 0EB. Here is a list of suitable items needed: UHT milk; Fruit juice; Tinned meat; Tea/coffee; pasta sauce; Tinned vegetables and tomatoes; Soup (inc Pot Noodles);Pasta; Rice; Lentils, beans and pulses; sugar; Tinned fruit; Biscuits; Household items (soap, laundry detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid) Toiletries (deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes; Feminine hygiene products ):; Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food. ROSARY DURING THE MONTH OF MAY The Holy Father has asked us to renew our devotion to praying the Rosary at home each day during the month of May. To help us pray together as a community, we will be praying the Rosary on Tuesday Evenings Online at 7.00pm. CAFOD launched its coronavirus emergency appeal on 30 April. The effects of coronavirus on developing countries where CAFOD works are likely to be devastating. Families without enough to eat and without access to clean water and healthcare are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. The poorest and most marginalised communities will be pushed further into poverty. Your prayers and gifts are needed now more than ever to help protect the lives of those in poor communities. While we are not able to hold physical collections in our church, you can donate as individuals at cafod.org.uk/coronavirusappeal Coronavirus in Colombia Through the HandsOn project, SS Peter and Paul has been supporting the people of Magdalena Medio in Columbia. This is the latest update. “Covid-19 was formally identified in Colombia in March 2020. In late March the Colombian government closed the borders. Now healthcare services in the country have collapsed. Please pray for the people of Colombia, for CAFOD’s work there and especially for our friends in Magdalena Medio.” A Great Opportunity to Help: Scrubhub Wolverhampton is looking for people to either sew (material is already cut out for you) or drive deliveries of scrubs locally. If you could help or donate please email [email protected] or phone Helena on 07734926777. Thank you! QUIZ TIME: Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain: which flower was the badge of his Ducal House? The colours of the rainbow will be used as a basis for a series of parish quizzes. The first theme is therefore: red. You can find this on the new Parish Quiz page. A new one will come out every 3 weeks, with answers after 4. Answers - team or otherwise- can be sent to St Michael's and St Bernadette's Youth Group e-mail: [email protected]. Any questions:336534.The Quiz is on the website. If you don't have access, ask a friend to print it off for you. Mass intentions if you would like a Mass offered for someone, please fill in the form on our website or ring Sr Lydwin on 01902 341 343. Financial Contributions This is a difficult time for many people but if you are able to continue giving an offering to the church, please consider paying directly into the parish account. Please follow the directions on our website. FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK : June Abbiss, Peter Holmes, Alice Stevens, George Brown, Chris Starkey, Ann Lewis , M Mary, Thomas Mackin, Fr David Duggan, Stephen Briggs, Hilary Elsden, Katherine Poole, Teresa Mitchell , Mary Lawley , Ann Bayley, Helen O’Brien-Coleman, Mary Abbiss, Peggy McHale, Patrick Quinn, Fred & Celia Norton, Jean Hollingshead, Margaret Stokes, Leah Nixon, Pat Pool, John Dolan, Liam Dolan, Marie Looker, Lorna Ciraulo, Pat Eades, Helen Porter, Mary Kirby, Sheila O’Toole, Tony McGinn, Brendan Bleakley. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY : Fr David Duggan, Kathleen Bowman, Alfonsina Lombardi, Tony Haden, Ignatius Kelly, Margaret Vicino, Claire Hallett, Mike Huntbatch, Celia Saddler, Susie Andrews, Noreen James. May they rest in peace. |
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