News & Information

USEFUL INFORMATION & RESOURCES  (Updated 27 November 2021)

This Week’s Newsletter:    28-11-21

Catholic Pictorial for November:    News – Catholic Pic   

Newsletter from Irenaeus:    november-21-final 

Public Health Bulletin:    public-health-campaign-bulletin-november-2021

Public Consultation:    c6-streets-plan-orford

 

COVID-19 UPDATES

For the most up to date, reliable, medical and scientific updates, I recommend:

Dr John Campbell:    Dr. John Campbell – YouTube

Zoe Covid Study with Professor Tim Spector:    ZOE – YouTube

Warrington dashboard:    Coronavirus figures in Warrington | warrington.gov.uk

 

COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT

It’s important to remember two things.

First, even if you have received two jabs, you can still catch Covid-19 and transmit it to others.  However, the vaccine should prevent you from becoming seriously ill.

Secondly, the Delta variant is presenting different symptoms.  The top five symptoms reported in those who are vaccinated and children to date are:

(1) Runny nose, (2) Headache, (3) Sneezing, (4) Sore throat, (5) Cough.

 

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

1)  Face coverings are required for all services in church.  These need to cover both nose and mouth.

2)  Contact tracing continues but by using the QR codes posted at the entrance of the church.

3)  Sanitising hands as you arrive also continues.

4)  Social distancing:  please leave a space between the people either side of you (unless they are in the same household) and please try not to sit directly behind or in front of another person (i.e. zigzag seating).

5)  Communion has been brought back to its usual place in the Mass, but stewards will guide you forward a bench at a time to ensure social distancing.

6)  Leaving church continues a bench at a time for now to ensure social distancing.

 

Parish Office

The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.

Email:  [email protected] 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Confession is available on request or by appointment.

Private Prayer

St Benedict’s is open for private prayer, Monday to Friday 9.30 am – 3.00 pm.  Both churches are also open 30 minutes before and after each Mass.

Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals

There is no longer a restriction on the number of people who can attend a Baptism, Wedding or Funeral at St Benedict’s and St Oswald’s, but those attending must wear a face covering and practice social distancing for the safety of everyone else.

Communion at Home

If you are no longer able to come to church and would like to receive communion at home, please contact the Parish Office on 630127.

Care of the Sick & Dying

Fr John Schofield and I continue to cover the hospital.  If you are concerned about a loved one, please ask the hospital to page us and we will attend as soon as possible.  Similarly, if you’re worried about a loved one in a care home, please ask the care home to contact us directly.

Many thanks,
Fr Dave

 

ADVENT COLLECTIONS 2021

1)  Warrington Foodbank

The Foodbank continues to be a lifesaver for many people.  Contrary to popular opinion, people are embarrassed to go to the Foodbank and only do so when they are desperate.  Sadly, the need is growing once again.  So please buy something extra when you’re out shopping and bring it to church, and we’ll take it to the Foodbank.

2)  Parish Caritas Fund

If you wish, you could make a donation to our Parish Caritas Fund.  We use this money to support individuals and families in the parish who are struggling financially through no fault of their own.

3)  St Francis Collection

Dog and puppy, cat and kitten, rabbit and guinea pig food, treats and toys to help Warrington Animal Welfare care for the enormous number of animals that are tragically abandoned during the year, especially over the Christmas period.

Thank you so much for all you do to support each other and so many others in the community.  In the words of Jesus: “In so far as you did this to one of the least of these of mine, you did it to me.”

 

PARISH FINANCE

There are four ways you can continue to support the parish financially at this time:

1) You could put your weekly offering aside and then bring it to church when you next visit.

2) You could set up a standing order.  You can download a form here:

standing-order-mandate-249

3) You can make one-off and regular donations to the Parish online here:

https://donate.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/blessed-james-bell-warrington

4) Text giving is also available for both one-off and regular donations.

Details can be found here:    text-giving

 

DOMESTIC ABUSE

#YouAreNotAlone is the Government’s campaign to reassure victims of domestic abuse that there is help for them during the current crisis:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-and-domestic-abuse/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.  If you call 999 from a mobile and cannot speak, press 55 and this will connect you to the police.

National Domestic Violence Helpline:
0808 2000 247 or https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Practical Booklet on Domestic Abuse:

nbcw-domestic-abuse-a4-booklet

 

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

Useful resources from Public Health England and The Mental Health Foundation:

what-can-help-your-mental-health-and-wellbeing

tips-that-may-help-during-this-period-of-uncertainty

dealing-with-depression-during-coronavirus

Contacts for support:  https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/mental-health

Warrington Council have a great website:    www.happyoksad.org.uk

five-ways-to-wellbeing

New 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line
People of all ages, including children and young people, living in Warrington who are experiencing a mental health crisis can access support through a new, 24/7, mental health crisis line:  0800 051 1508  (This is a FREE number)

 

Those living with Dementia and their Carers

The Archdiocese has provided links to resources which may be helpful for those living with dementia and their carers:

https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/dementia

a-guide-for-carers-of-people-with-dementia

activities-for-older-adults

Dementia Prayer Week | RP Books

 

Additional Resources:

Sleep problems during the current pandemic:

sleep-problems-during-coronavirus

The importance of laughter in our daily lives:

laughter-is-the-best-medicine

Relaxation techniques:

relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief

 

FAMILY LIFE

 

Messy Church for Children:

https://www.messychurch.org.uk/covid-19

Books for Parents and Children to read together:

god-is-very-clever

professor-know-it-all

will-you-teach-me-how-to-pray

 

ANIMAL WELFARE

Warrington Animal Welfare

Website:    Warrington Animal Welfare

Telephone:    01925 748638  (10.00 am – 4.00 pm)

Email:    [email protected]

Lucky Hens Rescue

Lucky Hens Rescue is a non profit organisation that rescues hens that are going to be slaughtered and tries to rehome them.  A few parishioners have adopted hens and alerted me to the charity.  You can read more here:

Lucky Hens Rescue – Lucky Hens Rescue – Non Profit Organisation – Based in Ince, Wigan