ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE BISHOP PETER REGARDING OPENING OF CHURCHES FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
The Diocese of Wrexham together with the Archdiocese of Cardiff and the Diocese of Menevia welcomes the announcement by the First Minister that churches may be opened for private prayer from Monday 22nd June 2020. In the interests of your continued safety, given the measures that will need to be put in place in the coming days, it seems that Saturday 28th June will be the likely date for those churches who fulfil the health and safety requirements to be opened for a specific time to be announced. With the re-opening of churches, certain responsibilities are laid on both the parish and the diocese to ensure the health and safety of those who come to pray. Amongst these are the following:
a. That the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday remains dispensed.
b. That social distancing (currently two metres) must be observed – except for household groups.
c. Each person must sanitise their hands on entering and leaving the church.
d. Should a person feel unwell, or has been to an infected place in the past 14 days, he or she should not enter the Church.
e. That the numbers entering the church will be restricted – depending on the space available. One-way entry and exit paths will need to be established.
f. That churches must be cleaned every day prior to opening, and portions cleaned during the time it is opened. Special attention must be paid to pews and door handles. Where possible, windows should be open. Air circulation helps reduce infection.
g. Hymn books, prayer books, pamphlets and leaflets and other items may not be left around for people to handle.
i. That those who are “shielded” or self-isolating must remain at home and not come to the church for private prayer.
j. Some of our churches will be unable to fulfil these requirements through being too small, or not being able to recruit the necessary volunteer stewards or cleaners. Hopefully, a church in each deanery will be able to welcome visitors from elsewhere.
k. Face coverings may be worn, but are not strictly necessary. Their use is voluntary and not disrespectful to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament or the sacred space which is the church.
l. Parents and guardians bringing children to the church should be mindful to care for them particularly by ensuring they touch as few surfaces as possible for their own safety.
m. Parishioners from those churches which are unable to open may of course offer themselves to be stewards in churches that are (current local travel restrictions being respected)
“I rejoiced when I heard them say “Let us go to God’s house, and now our feet are standing within your gates O Jerusalem”. (Psalm 121:1-2)
The Rt. Reverend Peter M. Brignall
Bishop of Wrexham
20th June 2020 Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Diocese of Wrexham together with the Archdiocese of Cardiff and the Diocese of Menevia welcomes the announcement by the First Minister that churches may be opened for private prayer from Monday 22nd June 2020. In the interests of your continued safety, given the measures that will need to be put in place in the coming days, it seems that Saturday 28th June will be the likely date for those churches who fulfil the health and safety requirements to be opened for a specific time to be announced. With the re-opening of churches, certain responsibilities are laid on both the parish and the diocese to ensure the health and safety of those who come to pray. Amongst these are the following:
- Each parish will need to decide the hours of opening and these times will be published on the diocesan website, once the Risk Assessment has been made and the Health and Safety certificate has been issued.
- Everyone visiting the church will be required to follow the necessary guidelines and signage to ensure the safety of all.
- Each parish will need to provide two or three volunteers to ensure the safe flow and placement of people – seating, distance, cleaning, signage, stewards etc.
a. That the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday remains dispensed.
b. That social distancing (currently two metres) must be observed – except for household groups.
c. Each person must sanitise their hands on entering and leaving the church.
d. Should a person feel unwell, or has been to an infected place in the past 14 days, he or she should not enter the Church.
e. That the numbers entering the church will be restricted – depending on the space available. One-way entry and exit paths will need to be established.
f. That churches must be cleaned every day prior to opening, and portions cleaned during the time it is opened. Special attention must be paid to pews and door handles. Where possible, windows should be open. Air circulation helps reduce infection.
g. Hymn books, prayer books, pamphlets and leaflets and other items may not be left around for people to handle.
i. That those who are “shielded” or self-isolating must remain at home and not come to the church for private prayer.
j. Some of our churches will be unable to fulfil these requirements through being too small, or not being able to recruit the necessary volunteer stewards or cleaners. Hopefully, a church in each deanery will be able to welcome visitors from elsewhere.
k. Face coverings may be worn, but are not strictly necessary. Their use is voluntary and not disrespectful to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament or the sacred space which is the church.
l. Parents and guardians bringing children to the church should be mindful to care for them particularly by ensuring they touch as few surfaces as possible for their own safety.
m. Parishioners from those churches which are unable to open may of course offer themselves to be stewards in churches that are (current local travel restrictions being respected)
“I rejoiced when I heard them say “Let us go to God’s house, and now our feet are standing within your gates O Jerusalem”. (Psalm 121:1-2)
The Rt. Reverend Peter M. Brignall
Bishop of Wrexham
20th June 2020 Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
UPDATE ON CHURCH REOPENING FROM BISHOP PETER
22ND JUNE 2020
bishops_letter_regarding_opening_for_private_prayer.pdf
22ND JUNE 2020
bishops_letter_regarding_opening_for_private_prayer.pdf
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The global spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a fast-evolving situation. The Bishops have closed our churches to the public until further notice to help stop the spread
The global spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a fast-evolving situation. The Bishops have closed our churches to the public until further notice to help stop the spread
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Obligations for Easter Duties removed this year
In their letter of 18th March 2020 the President and the Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said "in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed. This is, without doubt, the teaching of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2181). This pandemic is the 'serious reason' why this obligation does not apply at this time." Many of the faithful will be aware of their Easter Duties; that is to receive Holy Communion during the Easter Season and by custom to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation beforehand. As it is not possible for the faithful to receive Holy Communion at this time, and into the future, the Bishops' of England and Wales have dispensed the Easter Duties for the year 2020. The Bishops have asked that all should make a Perfect Act of Contrition at this time. Perfect contrition (or a Contrition of Charity) is true and real sorrow for our sins which is created when we realise the immense love of God for each one of us. We express this contrition when we realise how we offend God by our sinful words, deeds and omissions in contrast to the immeasurable love and mercy that he continually shows us. This requires us to be contrite of heart for what we have done, know and be overwhelmed by the love and mercy of God for his children, and to approach this grace with humility and resolution not to sin again. An Act of Contrition My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Cardinal Vincent explains, in this video, that the obligation to our Easter Duties to go to Confession and receive Holy Communion is removed from us |
Gov.uk COVID-19 Update 23 March 2020
Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households. That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes: 1. shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible 2. one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household; 3. any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and 4. travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home. That’s all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home. You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No. You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home. You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine - and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can. If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings. To ensure compliance with the Government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately: 1. close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship; 2. we will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with; 3. and we’ll stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals. 4. Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.
For more information visit:-www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020
Guidelines from the Bishop's Conference 18th March 2020
In line with Cardinal Vincent Nichols statement issued on 18th March 2020 it has been decided that all Church services will be suspended for the foreseeable future.
To read the full letter click www.cbcew.org.uk
This will mean that the community of our sick and housebound parishioners will no longer be able to receive Holy Communion from Fr Adrian or the Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
This also means that all parish meeting will now cease.
* Confirmation preparation classes
* First Holy Communion preparation classes
* Marriage preparation
Fr Adrian will be available in any emergency. To get in contact either telephone the Parish Office 01352 732245 or email priestflint@rcdwxm.org.uk. We must be guided by the Government Health advise especially for our vulnerable parishioners.
The Diocese of Wrexham website www.rcdwxm.org.uk will inform parishioners of the different places that you can access live-streaming of Mass. Other websites to use are www.churchservices.tv. A good TV channel to turn to is EWTN.
There will be an Offertory Collection box located in Church for people to place their weekly offerings if they so wish.
Fr Adrian will be saying a private Mass each day for the Intentions on the Bulletin and for all parishioners especially those who are sick.
Please could you pass this information on to anyone who doesn't have access to the website
Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households. That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes: 1. shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible 2. one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household; 3. any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and 4. travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home. That’s all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home. You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No. You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home. You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine - and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can. If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings. To ensure compliance with the Government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately: 1. close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship; 2. we will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with; 3. and we’ll stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals. 4. Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.
For more information visit:-www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020
Guidelines from the Bishop's Conference 18th March 2020
In line with Cardinal Vincent Nichols statement issued on 18th March 2020 it has been decided that all Church services will be suspended for the foreseeable future.
To read the full letter click www.cbcew.org.uk
This will mean that the community of our sick and housebound parishioners will no longer be able to receive Holy Communion from Fr Adrian or the Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
This also means that all parish meeting will now cease.
* Confirmation preparation classes
* First Holy Communion preparation classes
* Marriage preparation
Fr Adrian will be available in any emergency. To get in contact either telephone the Parish Office 01352 732245 or email priestflint@rcdwxm.org.uk. We must be guided by the Government Health advise especially for our vulnerable parishioners.
The Diocese of Wrexham website www.rcdwxm.org.uk will inform parishioners of the different places that you can access live-streaming of Mass. Other websites to use are www.churchservices.tv. A good TV channel to turn to is EWTN.
There will be an Offertory Collection box located in Church for people to place their weekly offerings if they so wish.
Fr Adrian will be saying a private Mass each day for the Intentions on the Bulletin and for all parishioners especially those who are sick.
Please could you pass this information on to anyone who doesn't have access to the website
