This Week 17 - 24 January 2021
| St Benedict's | St Oswald's | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 17 January 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) Peace Sunday | Our churches have closed for the time being because of the high rate of infection in Warrington Fr Dave will celebrate Mass for the Parish behind closed doors at 10.00 am | |
| Monday 18 January Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity begins | See Fr Dave's Blog below for news, prayers and reflections | |
| Tuesday 19 January | ||
| Wednesday 20 January | ||
| Thursday 21 January St Agnes | ||
| Friday 22 January | ||
| Saturday 23 January | ||
| Sunday 24 January 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) Sunday of the Word of God | Fr Dave will celebrate Mass for the Parish behind closed doors at 10.00 am |
Quick Links
News
USEFUL INFORMATION & RESOURCES (Updated 16 January 2021)
This Week’s Newsletter: 17-01-21
Covid-19 Updates
If you want a good, balanced, non-political, medically based update on the virus by someone who knows what they are talking about, I recommend Dr John Campbell. He gives a particularly good and helpful update on YouTube every day. You can watch him here:
NATIONAL LOCKDOWN & CLOSURE OF CHURCHES
England is now in a new national lockdown. A full list of the restrictions can be found in this guidance from the government:
Although places of worship have been allowed to remain open providing they follow the guidance already in place, the priests of the Deanery have decided to close our churches for the time being because of the high rate of infection in Warrington and across the UK. This has been a difficult decision but we do it for the good of all – to help us to STAY AT HOME in order to prevent the spread of infection and to keep each other safe.
The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has given some valuable advice: behave as if you have the virus – it will help to keep you and others safe.
I will continue to post prayers, reflections and useful information each day and, of course, I’m available by phone or email. In addition, I will celebrate Mass for the parish behind closed doors each Sunday at 10.00 am in one of our churches. I will stick to that time in case you want to join me in prayer at that time.
In addition:
1) Funerals
Funerals will continue to be celebrated at the graveside or crematorium, subject to the conditions laid down by the cemetery or crematorium authorities, for the time being. A Memorial Mass or Service can be celebrated in church at a later date.
2) Sacrament of Reconciliation
Individual confession can be celebrated on request (as long as hygiene and social distancing requirements are observed).
3) Care of the Sick and 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
Archdiocesan Prayer
God our Father,
each person is precious to you.
You are the giver of life.
Have mercy on us and protect us at this time,
as the Coronavirus threatens health and life.
You are an ever-present helper in time of trouble.
Watch over those who are suffering,
give strength to those who are aiding the sick
and give courage to all in this time of anxiety.
We ask this of you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
QR Codes
If you have downloaded the NHS Covid-19 Test and Trace App, you can ‘check-in’ when you arrive at church by holding your phone in front of the QR code displayed on the doors of both churches. There’s also a handout with more details about the app here: nhs-covid-19-test-and-trace-app
CAFOD FUN RUN / WALK
Over 30 parishioners and friends completed their 5km run, jog or walk in Christmas week raising over £800 (to date) for the poorest people across the world – £300 over our target!
Thank you so much to everyone who took part and to all those who sponsored them.
The JustGiving page will remain open for a few weeks in case anyone else wants to donate or do 5km:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cafod-funrun-blessed-james-bell
PRAYING FOR A LOVED ONE WHOSE DIED
The present pandemic means that restrictions have been placed around funerals. This means that you may not be able to attend the funeral of a relative or friend. The links below offer some suggestions for a little time of prayer for use at home – perhaps at the time of the funeral.
praying-for-a-deceased-loved-one
PARISH FINANCES
There are four ways you can 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:
3) You can make one-off and regular donations to the Parish online at this address:
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:
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
The COVID19 outbreak has had an impact on everyone. It’s important to take care of our minds as well as our bodies and get further support if we need it. Public Health England and The Mental Health Foundation have produced some useful information:
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
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
Additional Resources:
Warrington Public Health Bulletin for December includes information loneliness and mental well being, mental health support and working from home healthily:
public-health-campaign-bulletin-dec-2020
Sleep problems during the current pandemic:
sleep-problems-during-coronavirus
The importance of laughter in our daily lives:
Relaxation techniques:
relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief
FAMILY LIFE
Parenting during the present crisis:
For those who are divorced and separated:
https://www.restoredlives.org/dealing-with-the-covid19-crisis-for-divorcees
Messy Church for Children:
https://www.messychurch.org.uk/covid-19
Books for Parents and Children to read together:
Fr Dave's Blog
2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday 21 January 2021
Now, if you need a little cheering up, try these… (click on the links)
The One Voice Children’s Choir singing ‘Memories’ by Maroon 5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB6yjGVuzVo
Andrew Cotter’s dogs, Olive and Mabel, have decided to join the gym:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3t6BsE3uE
And finally, ever thought of online confession?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLLrFCMi5vI
Wednesday 20 January 2021
Prayer for Inauguration Day
Today, President-elect Joe Biden will take the Oath of Office and be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America during an inauguration ceremony. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will become the first woman and the first person to identify as Black and as South Asian-American to serve in the role of Vice President. Let’s pray for them both and for all the people of the United States of America.
Litany of St Thomas More
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
St Thomas More, Saint and Martyr
R. Pray for us (Repeat after each invocation)
St Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers
St Thomas More, Patron of Justices, Judges and Magistrates
St Thomas More, Model of Integrity and Virtue in Public and Private Life
St Thomas More, Servant of the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ
St Thomas More, Model of Holiness in the Sacrament of Marriage
St Thomas More, Teacher of his Children in the Catholic Faith
St Thomas More, Defender of the Weak and the Poor
St Thomas More, Promoter of Human Life and Dignity
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
R. Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
R. Have mercy on us.
Let us pray.
O Glorious St Thomas More,
patron of statesmen, politicians, judges and lawyers,
your life of prayer and penance
and your zeal for justice, integrity and firm principle
in public and family life
led you to the path of martyrdom and sainthood.
Intercede for President Biden and Vice President Harris
that they may be courageous and effective
in their defence and promotion of the sanctity of human life
– the foundation of all other human rights.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
(c) 2004 Michael A Saltarelli, Bishop of Wilmington, USA
Tuesday 19 January 2021
An Ecumenical Christian Prayer
Pope Francis opening the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls yesterday. Image (c) Vatican News.
At the end of his latest encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis includes this beautiful prayer:
O God, Trinity of love,
from the profound communion of your divine life,
pour out upon us a torrent of fraternal love.
Grant us the love reflected in the actions of Jesus,
in his family of Nazareth,
and in the early Christian community.
Grant that we Christians may live the Gospel,
discovering Christ in each human being,
recognising him crucified
in the sufferings of the abandoned
and forgotten of our world,
and risen in each brother or sister
who makes a new start.
Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty,
reflected in all the peoples of the earth,
so that we may discover anew
that all are important and all are necessary,
different faces of the one humanity
that God so loves. Amen.
Monday 18 January 2021
The annual Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity begins today and lasts until next Monday, 25 January.
The materials for prayer during the Octave been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. The theme is “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” from John 15:1-17. The theme expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family.
Today the community has fifty sisters, all women from different generations, Church traditions, countries and continents. In their diversity the sisters are a living parable of communion. They remain faithful to a life of prayer, life in community and the welcoming of guests. The sisters share the grace of their monastic life with visitors and volunteers who go to Grandchamp for a time of retreat, silence, healing or in search of meaning.
For 2021, the sisters are inviting churches across the world to enter into their tradition of prayer and silence that is rooted in the ancient traditions of the Church catholic.
Here is this year’s prayer book:
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) – 17 January 2021
Peace Sunday
The Bishops of England and Wales invite us to observe today (Sunday) as a day of prayer for world peace, using the theme proposed by Pope Francis: ‘A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace’.
In his message for World Peace Day, Pope Francis says: “How many resources are spent on weaponry, especially nuclear weapons, that could be used for more significant priorities such as ensuring the safety of individuals, the promotion of peace and integral human development, the fight against poverty, and the provision of health care.” Pope Francis calls on us to “strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another.”
In the UK, we have an active Catholic peace movement called Pax Christi. Their website offers lots of ideas of ways we can promote peace in our daily lives: https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday-2021
Sunday Mass
Although we can’t celebrate the Eucharist in church this weekend, there are still ways we can pray together on this, the Lord’s Day.
1) You can join in Mass online
There are lots of websites that are livestreaming Mass:
Mass will be livestreamed from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral at 11.00 am on YouTube:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCOiDR9mRmfnAu05Yg3ifyMw
Fr Peter will livestream Mass at 10.00 am from St John Henry Newman:
www.newmanparishwarrington.com
Fr John Schofield will upload Mass on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Tonyat999/videos
Canon Christopher will livestream Mass at 10.00 am from St Alban’s:
Parish of Sacred Heart and St Alban Warrington | Facebook
There are plenty of Masses livestreamed throughout the day at the following websites:
www.churchservices.tv and https://www.mcnmedia.tv
2) You can join in by praying at home – on your own or with other members of your household. The following resources may be helpful:
This weekend’s Mass sheet: mass-sheet-sunday-2b
Bidding Prayers: bidding-prayers-sunday-2b
Sunday Plus: sunday-plus-sunday-2b
Archdiocese:
www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/sunday-reflections-readings
3) For Children:
You might like to use the following sheet:
Children’s Activity Sheet: look-sunday-2b
If you are joining in Mass online, this sheet might be helpful:
CAFOD host a virtual Children’s Liturgy of the Word on Sundays at 10.00 am:
https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy
And finally, a little humour…
This is worth repeating from the first lockdown…
God bless you,
Fr Dave
Want to see more like this? Visit Fr Dave's Blog