Thank you for booking your seat with us. Please remember to arrive at St. Elizabeth’s Church at 7:00am for 7:30am Journey, so that we can join the Mass at Walsingham on time. The coach leaves exactly at 7:30am.
Author: Sister Joan
Dona Contactless Donations
Our new digital donation plate has arrived
To use this option you must:
- either select an amount you would like to donate from the options on screen or select other amount to input your desired amount from £1 upwards
- present (contactless) or insert (chip and pin) your payment card, or phone if you use Apple or Google pay, to the payment device to the right
- you will then be asked if you would like to gift aid your donation, yes or no, if you select gift aid, you will be required to enter your address and email details, only the first time you use the machine.
… and that is it.
Parish schools update
Please join us in congratulating our Parish schools in the great work that they are doing in eduacting our leaders of tomorrow.
Sacraments
Children who are Not in a Catholic School:
This is to inform you that classes for the Sacraments: especially First Holy
Communion and Confirmation, will start on Saturday 30/07/2022
at 11am in church with Sr. Olivia. If you have not yet registered,
please do so as soon as possible with Sr Olivia. Thank you.
RETURNING TO MASS AT PENTECOST
News from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/news/returning-to-mass-at-pentecost
Spring Plenary 2022 Resolution
An invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales
This is the bread come down from heaven (John 6:58)
A beautiful hallmark of the Catholic faith is the profound desire to participate in the Holy Mass and share in the Eucharist. We do so with deep gratitude and joy. The Eucharist gives the Church her identity – “The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the Eucharist.” It enables us to worship Almighty God, to support each other on our journey of faith, and to be a visible sign of faith in the world. This hallmark is supported and strengthened by the precept that our fundamental Christian duty is to worship God by participating in the celebration of Mass. Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is the greatest of all privileges, sometimes referred to as “the Sunday Obligation.”
Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday Obligation has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this situation has now changed. The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply.
We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situations such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday Obligation.
Our Catholic people and parishes have benefitted during these difficult times from the online streaming of Mass and other services. “Virtual viewing” of Mass online does not fulfil the Sunday Obligation. It may, however, be a source of continual spiritual comfort to those who cannot attend Mass in person, for example those who are elderly and sick, for whom the obligation does not apply. In this context, we recognise gratefully the ministry of those who administer Holy Communion to the elderly, sick and housebound.
We are grateful to our clergy, religious and lay faithful who have served our parishes, schools and communities with dedication and distinction throughout this pandemic. Now we look forward with renewed faith and confidence.
In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Lord’s Supper, the Lord Jesus entrusted to us the precious gift of Himself. With humility, we glory in being a Eucharistic people for whom attendance at Mass is essential. Looking forward to the forthcoming feast of Pentecost, we now invite all Catholics who have not yet done so to return to attending Mass in person.
As the Church needs the witness of the presence of each person, so too each believer needs to journey in faith and worship with their fellow disciples. Nourished by our encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus, fed with His Word and His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, and supported by the presence of each other, we receive strength week by week, to serve the Lord and glorify Him with our lives.
Approved by the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference
Friday 6 May 2022
New Parish Hall Update.
The disconnection of the electric power in our present parish hall is now completed. There is no more electricity in the hall.
- Tenders have been issued on 14/04/22.
- Tenders are due back on 31/05/2022.
- Client approval is on 28/06/2022
- Work starts on 06/09/2022
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Guidance for Churches – December 2021
General Information
Following the statement by the Prime Minister on Wednesday 9th December, there has been a Government directive that further restrictions to mitigate against viral transmission, especially in the light of the new Omicron variant, will be imposed.
Summarising the Government directives:
• From Friday 10th December, face coverings will be required by law in most indoor settings.
• From Monday 13th December office workers who can work from home should do so.
• From Wednesday 15th December, certain venues and events will be required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 years or over are fully vaccinated, have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption. The requirements for NHS Covid passes will not apply to places of worship and the acts of worship associated with them. However, any social gatherings linked to events in churches will need to comply with new requirements but only when 500 or more people are involved.
Face Coverings
HM Government has made the wearing of face covering mandatory in Places of Worship from
Friday 10th December 2021 (see here). However, there will be exemptions for those leading worship,
public proclamation of scriptural readings or prayers, and those who are unable to wear face coverings and are exempt (the guidance for this can be found on the same page as above).
Singing
HM Government guidance states that “There is a reasonable excuse for someone to remove a face covering
when it is reasonably necessary for them to sing, for example, if they are singing as part of a choir, or during
a service, rehearsal or for a performance.” The current Church guidance states that congregational singing should take place with face coverings in place and choirs and soloists may sing without such coverings. As the Church moves towards Christmas celebrations which often involves carol services and other singing events, it is strongly recommended that congregational singing within church
buildings continues with the applied face coverings.
Practical Guidance for Churches
With respect to the current situation with the Omicron variant it is important to ensure the following
points are followed in our churches:
• That people displaying any symptoms of covid-19 should stay at home and not travel to
church or participate in person.
• That hand sanitiser is available to those attending the Church.
• Face coverings must be worn by those attending public acts of worship unless there is a
genuine exemption or the person is leading worship or participating in a role that
requires the mask to be removed for a period of time.
• That there is good ventilation and air throughput in the building; in this case, because of
climatic conditions, it would be important to remind people to wrap up well in church!
• There is now very strong evidence to support that the main mode of this variant’s viral
transmission is through aerosols, and that the risk from surface and touch transmission
is very small indeed. As such, the strict regimes of church cleaning that were
recommended at the beginning of the opening of churches for public worship are no
longer necessary. General church cleaning is sufficient.
• That a positive message encouraging people to get vaccinated and have the booster jab
when able is delivered whenever possible (bearing in mind that the 40+ age group can
apply for the booster vaccination, and that the period between 2nd dose and booster is
reduced to 12 weeks).
• That people who are engaged in a form of pastoral ministry which involves ministry to
the housebound, sick and vulnerable, should take regular lateral flow tests to ensure they
are safe to do so. These are free from the NHS.
Clarification on the Sunday Obligation
The Bishops’ Statement Honouring Sunday reflected the pastoral situation of public worship in the light of the pandemic situation at this time. The Bishops have asked for all Catholics to reflect on their personal circumstances with respect to their attendance at public worship. Questions have been raised regarding the status of the Sunday Obligation. The Code of Canon Law states that “Sunday… is the primordial holy day of obligation” (Can. 1246§1) and “the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.” (Can. 1247)
At the beginning of the pandemic, from Friday 20th March 2020, the Bishops of England and Wales recognised that the participation of the faithful in the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration was prevented due to grave cause because of the inception of the covid-19 pandemic and stated that the Sunday obligation could not be fulfilled due to the inherent danger of the faithful gathering in churches for
the Eucharistic celebration. On Monday 23rd March 2020, HM Government mandated the closure of places of worship along with other locations.
The Bishops, now having reflected on the current situation in England and Wales, recognise that the
causes and effects of the pandemic are still present to such a degree that the absolute duty for all to
freely attend the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration cannot yet be fulfilled.
As such, they have asked that all Catholics now reflect on the centrality of the Eucharist to their own life of faith and take into consideration their personal circumstances and the reasons as to whether they can now attend the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration or otherwise. Should a person feel that grave cause honestly persists in their personal circumstances, there is no sin associated with their
non-attendance at Mass, and they are encouraged to devote themselves to prayer at home. This may be achieved either through personal prayer or by participating with a live-streamed celebration of Mass from a Church.
Rev. Canon Christopher Thomas
FINAL
10th December 2021
CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES
Guidance for Churches – December 2021
General Information
Following the statement by the Prime Minister on Wednesday 9th December, there has been a Government directive that further restrictions to mitigate against viral transmission, especially in the light of the new Omicron variant, will be imposed.
Summarising the Government directives:
• From Friday 10th December, face coverings will be required by law in most indoor settings.
• From Monday 13th December office workers who can work from home should do so.
• From Wednesday 15th December, certain venues and events will be required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 years or over are fully vaccinated, have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption. The requirements for NHS Covid passes will not apply to places of worship and the acts of worship associated with them. However, any social gatherings linked to events in churches will need to comply with new requirements but only when 500 or more people are involved.
Face Coverings
HM Government has made the wearing of face covering mandatory in Places of Worship from
Friday 10th December 2021 (see here). However, there will be exemptions for those leading worship,
public proclamation of scriptural readings or prayers, and those who are unable to wear face coverings and are exempt (the guidance for this can be found on the same page as above).
Singing
HM Government guidance states that “There is a reasonable excuse for someone to remove a face covering
when it is reasonably necessary for them to sing, for example, if they are singing as part of a choir, or during
a service, rehearsal or for a performance.” The current Church guidance states that congregational singing should take place with face coverings in place and choirs and soloists may sing without such coverings. As the Church moves towards Christmas celebrations which often involves carol services and other singing events, it is strongly recommended that congregational singing within church
buildings continues with the applied face coverings.
Practical Guidance for Churches
With respect to the current situation with the Omicron variant it is important to ensure the following
points are followed in our churches:
• That people displaying any symptoms of covid-19 should stay at home and not travel to
church or participate in person.
• That hand sanitiser is available to those attending the Church.
• Face coverings must be worn by those attending public acts of worship unless there is a
genuine exemption or the person is leading worship or participating in a role that
requires the mask to be removed for a period of time.
• That there is good ventilation and air throughput in the building; in this case, because of
climatic conditions, it would be important to remind people to wrap up well in church!
• There is now very strong evidence to support that the main mode of this variant’s viral
transmission is through aerosols, and that the risk from surface and touch transmission
is very small indeed. As such, the strict regimes of church cleaning that were
recommended at the beginning of the opening of churches for public worship are no
longer necessary. General church cleaning is sufficient.
• That a positive message encouraging people to get vaccinated and have the booster jab
when able is delivered whenever possible (bearing in mind that the 40+ age group can
apply for the booster vaccination, and that the period between 2nd dose and booster is
reduced to 12 weeks).
• That people who are engaged in a form of pastoral ministry which involves ministry to
the housebound, sick and vulnerable, should take regular lateral flow tests to ensure they
are safe to do so. These are free from the NHS.
Clarification on the Sunday Obligation
The Bishops’ Statement Honouring Sunday reflected the pastoral situation of public worship in the light of the pandemic situation at this time. The Bishops have asked for all Catholics to reflect on their personal circumstances with respect to their attendance at public worship. Questions have been raised regarding the status of the Sunday Obligation. The Code of Canon Law states that “Sunday… is the primordial holy day of obligation” (Can. 1246§1) and “the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.” (Can. 1247)
At the beginning of the pandemic, from Friday 20th March 2020, the Bishops of England and Wales recognised that the participation of the faithful in the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration was prevented due to grave cause because of the inception of the covid-19 pandemic and stated that the Sunday obligation could not be fulfilled due to the inherent danger of the faithful gathering in churches for
the Eucharistic celebration. On Monday 23rd March 2020, HM Government mandated the closure of places of worship along with other locations.
The Bishops, now having reflected on the current situation in England and Wales, recognise that the
causes and effects of the pandemic are still present to such a degree that the absolute duty for all to
freely attend the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration cannot yet be fulfilled.
As such, they have asked that all Catholics now reflect on the centrality of the Eucharist to their own life of faith and take into consideration their personal circumstances and the reasons as to whether they can now attend the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration or otherwise. Should a person feel that grave cause honestly persists in their personal circumstances, there is no sin associated with their
non-attendance at Mass, and they are encouraged to devote themselves to prayer at home. This may be achieved either through personal prayer or by participating with a live-streamed celebration of Mass from a Church.
Rev. Canon Christopher Thomas
FINAL
10th December 2021
Christmas Quiz
Annual Intercultural Mass
ARCHDIOCESE OF BIRMINGHAM: Ethnic Chaplaincies, Eparchies and Missions.
Annual Intercultural Mass and Social gathering. Saturday 16th October at 12:30pm – St Osburg’s Church, Upper Hill Street, Coventry CV1 4AQ. Celebrant: Bishop David Evans and Concelebrants. Marking One World Week and World Mission Sunday All are Welcome. Please bring Food from your Country of Origin to Share. A representative of each Chaplaincy, Eparchy and Mission is invited to a preparatory meeting in the Foyer of the Church Hall of St Osburg’s on Thursday 7 October at 6pm. In advance, please let Mgr. McHugh have sight of the contribution you can make hymn, music, dance, reading, intercession/Bidding Prayer. The celebration will be live streamed for those unable to attend, and a record of the Mass and different contributions will be on the Diocesan and Chaplaincy Websites.