St Joseph's R.C. Church
Church Street, Darlaston, Wednesbury, West Midlands. WS10 8DY
Update: Wednesday
18th march 13.30
Dear
Parishioners,
We have now
received notification from our Bishops that Public Masses and Liturgies
are to be suspended.
In the Cluster,
we had already suspended the Masses, for this week, following advice
given by the Director for Public Health for Wolverhampton.
There will
therefore be no public masses or liturgies in the Cluster churches until
further notice.
A few things to
take note of as we begin this journey:
1) In need
If
you are in need at all, please either message or phone me. Please
remember that I am here for you as are other members of our 'Faith
family'. Even if it’s just for a chat.... If anyone is sick and needs
anointing etc please do let me know.
If you have been
'looking out' for someone, as I know many of you have been, and are then
unable to do so, then please let us know. Communication is going to be
so important going forwards
Many thanks also
to so many of you who have already said that you want to help others in
our local communities in any way you can. I will contact people with
specific requests for help as and when we receive them (always ensuring
that we follow good practice regarding safety and safeguarding)
The Good
Shepherd, reported last night that they are starting to run short of
supplies. If you are able to donate non perishable food items then
please drop them off in a bag in the porch at St. Joseph's when we are
open (or let me know and I'll open up). I will then arrange for them to
be delivered to them.
2) Live Streaming
of Masses
We will seek to live stream our Mass each day at the time
we would have usually have had a Mass. The intentions will be published
on the newsletter online (We will also offer those Mass Intentions again
at a later date should people wish).
Please do join us
in prayer - as a community let’s stick together virtually if we can't
physically. Notification of the live stream will be on our web page.
3) Sunday
Obligation
As the Bishops point out, in a situation like this, our
Obligation to be at Mass is suspended.
Please though
let's keep each other in prayer. I will offer a Sunday Mass via live
stream each week at 10.00am on the Sunday Morning.
There will be no
broadcast of the Saturday Masses or the other Sunday Morning Masses.
Put a reminder on
your phone etc to ensure that you join us.
4) Church Opening
it is not possible to open all four of our churches safely. I therefore
suggest that we keep St. Joseph's, Wolverhampton open for private prayer
each day between 12noon and 3.00pm in the first instance.
If you wish to
visit at another time or visit one of our other churches, please just
let me know I will open the Church with pleasure. Do please ask!
5) Please let
those who you know do not have the internet etc of what is happening. I
will place this notice on our notice boards outside churches as well
though.
You all very much
remain in my prayers.
God bless,
Fr. Craig