Author: Sister Joan

St. Elizabeth’s Church Closed Due to (COVID-19).

St. Elizabeth’s Church Closed Due to (COVID-19).

Closure of Churches

Following the instruction that the Prime Minister gave last night, there has been an inconsistent message from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the opening of churches. In the published guidelines, it states that “places of worship should remain open for solitary prayer.” The instruction is very clear on the occasions when someone can leave home:

• Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.

• One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.

• Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.

• Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.

None of these four specific reasons for leaving home concur with the visiting of a church for solitary prayer. In addition, keeping churches open could undermine the desire of the Government for people to remain at home, the very fact of them being open may draw people out of their homes, many of which would be the most vulnerable to infection.

As a sad but necessary consequence we must, from this morning, ensure that the doors of all churches and chapels in the Archdiocese are closed to the public and that they remain permanently locked until these restrictions are lifted. In this way we shall continue to play our part within every parish in fighting the Coronavirus and to show our solidarity with all those who are striving to overcome the current pandemic.

Our natural instinct as Catholics to gather together and to pray in the real presence of Our Lord is expressed in the Second Eucharistic Prayer: Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. The live streaming of Mass at St. Elizabeth’s Church especially Sunday at 10:30am and other twenty-two of our churches (with the Cathedral soon to join that number) is proving to be a great spiritual resource and a powerful way of expressing and deepening our communion in Christ during these challenging days.

The Archbishop Bernard is asking us to keep in your prayers all those working in the NHS and all those who are ill because of the Coronavirus. He particularly thanks all our Hospital and Healthcare Chaplains, working alongside deanery clergy and volunteers at this time, for the hope and trust in Our Lord that they are fostering and for their support of healthcare staff and patients alike.

Pope Francis has called on the world’s Christians and people of goodwill to join together to pray the Lord’s Prayer on Wednesday, 25 March at 11am UK time (midday in Rome).

Suspension of Public Mass

Important Notice:

Please, this is to let you know that the Church is NOT CLOSED, but only that there is NO PUBLIC Mass. Priests will celebrate private Masses for your intentions. St. Elizabeth’s Church will be open most of the times, except when Masses are celebrated on Sunday at 10:30am, Wednesday 9:00am, and Friday at 6:30pm with stations of the cross at 6pm; for anyone wishing to join on the Webcam. Please note that the side door opposite Parish hall will remain open most of the times during this period when our faith is tested. Please remain calm and do the right things, encourage and support each other. Fr. Moses

What to do when Public Mass is Suspended

What you can still do when public mass is suspended:

Church’s Offerings and Weekly Gift Aid envelopes: There are several ways in which you can continue to do this. The easiest would be: 1. to bring into the presbytery and give to sisters. 2. Post a cheque payable to St Elizabeth’s Parish. 3. Set Standing Order or online banking to: St Elizabeth’s Parish: Please call the Parish office for more details.

St Elizabeth’s New Hall Fund Box: These Boxes are now ready for you to collect from the Church or office (Presbytery). They are like the RED Boxes where you put in any remaining change or (Coin) and return it to the Church whenever possible. It’s for our New Hall

CORONA Virus (COVID-19) 19/03

Latest updates from the Archidiocese of Birmingham, please read carefully.

2020.03.18 – Liturgical Advice to Bishops -Final 2020.03.18 – PUBLIC LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENCY – CBCEW

Dear Fathers and Deacons

Dear Parishioners

I invite you to read this letter together with the two attached statements as they outline our present liturgical and pastoral practice in the light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.   These cannot cover every possible situation so I would ask you to exercise prudent pastoral judgement in respect of these guidelines.

I ask all recipients to share this information as widely as possible.  I also clergy to make copies of this email and accompanying statements available for those who do not have access to them electronically and to leave them at the back of their churches.

Each bishop has been asked to write to his own diocese and so I offer the following guidelines as a clarification of the national guidelines for the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

The measures outlined may seem very drastic but they are a necessary and proportional temporary response to protecting the most vulnerable in our society.

O God, come to our aid;

O Lord, make haste to help us!

Care for Priests and Deacons

Those who are over 70, and those with significant underlying health issues, should take particular care at this time not to make themselves vulnerable to any risk.  General contact with parishioners should be minimised so that the risk of transmission of the virus is significantly reduced.

Celebrations of Holy Mass

As of Friday 20th March, a major change is that the celebration of Mass will not be public in any setting. Can clergy please put a notice on their church door notifying people of this change, especially in time for this Sunday.

Priests will celebrate Mass privately each day. As they do so, the church will remain closed to the public – which includes all parishioners.

Mass intentions attached to these Masses will be honoured. As priests will only be required to celebrate one Mass each day, some Mass intentions will need to be postponed to a later date.

In line with the Bishops’ Conference guidance, only priests may be present for the celebration of Mass. As even Deacons are not permitted to be present, I need to emphasise that nobody else may be present for the celebration of Mass.

The obligation for the faithful to attend Holy Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation is removed until further notice.

Since all of the faithful will be asked to make a Spiritual Communion (rather than receiving Holy Communion) during this time, those confined to home who normally receive Holy Communion from Sunday Mass will also be asked to make a Spiritual Communion.  This will mean they will not receive Holy Communion regularly as at present.  Clergy may make visits to sick parishioners in accordance with the guidelines already given. Care should be taken to ensure social distancing of the most vulnerable is maintained, including the welfare of those who visit.  I draw priests’ attention to specific guidance already given on the anointing of the sick.

Live- streaming of Masses is advertised on the Diocesan website (www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk) and we expect the number of these live-streams to grow, including at St Chad’s Cathedral in the near future.  If clergy could inform the Communications team at Cathedral House if they can add to the facilities already listed, that would be appreciated.

At other times and wherever this is possible, churches should remain open for private prayer. This may include periods of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament but the emphasis must be on private prayer and not gathering the people.  I ask that there is no Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament since this constitutes a public service.

Baptisms, Sacrament of Reconciliation, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony

Please follow the guidelines given in the Bishops’ Conference Liturgical Advice document.

Funerals

Regrettably, while public Funeral Masses must also cease, it is recommended that on the day of a Funeral, a Mass without the faithful may be offered by the priest for the intentions of the deceased and the family.  This will be of some consolation to the family in the absence of a public Funeral Mass.  I recommend that a later Mass with the faithful be celebrated when restrictions are lifted.

We live in difficult and unprecedented times.  I, together with my brother Archbishops of England and Wales, will be reviewing these guidelines regularly and taking into account best advice. I shall update you on any changes that are necessary.  In all we face, we know that the Lord never abandons his people.

In conclusion, as a Catholic community, we must treasure the power of prayer during these days: prayer for the world and its needs; prayer for our country at this time of uncertainty and sickness; prayer for the families and communities to which we belong, not only in terms of health but also for the many concerns of livelihoods affected; prayer for ourselves.

Merciful God,

come to the help of your people.

Be our shelter in this time of peril

and strengthen the bonds of our community.

Bring healing to all who suffer the ravages of disease

and assist those whose skill and art can put an end to this affliction.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Assuring you all of my prayers for you at this time and asking for your prayers for me and those who work with me for the good of the Archdiocese.

 

Yours devotedly in Christ

XBernard Longley

Archbishop of Birmingham

 

Archbishop’s House
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Birmingham B4 6EY

Tel 0121 236 9090
Fax 0121 212 0171

Archdiocese of Birmingham: Registered Charity No. 234216

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CORONA Virus (COVID-19) 18/03

CORONA VIRUS (COVID- 19)  UPDATE:

The Bishops Conference of England and Wales has issued guidelines to enable Catholic churches and organisations to find the relevant information in one place.


UPDATE Wednesday 18 March:

A letter from the President and Vice-President on behalf of all the Bishops of the Conference

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives must change. This includes the ways in which we publicly express our faith. It is very clear that, following official advice and in order to keep each other safe, save lives and support the NHS, at this time we must not gather for public acts of worship in our churches. This will begin from Friday evening, 20th March 2020, until further notice.

Our churches will remain open. They are not closing. They will be a focal point of prayer, where you will find solace and strength. In visiting our churches at this time, we will observe with great care the practices of hygiene and the guidance on social distancing.

However, the celebration of Mass, Sunday by Sunday and day by day, will take place without a public congregation.

Knowing that the Mass is being celebrated; joining in spiritually in that celebration; watching the live-streaming of the Mass; following its prayers at home; making an act of spiritual communion: this is how we share in the Sacrifice of Christ in these days. These are the ways in which we will sanctify Sunday, and indeed every day.

We want everyone to understand that 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.

You will find more details about the pathway of prayer and sacramental life we are now to take in the accompanying document and on the Bishops’ Conference website (www.cbcew.org.uk). Your own bishop and parish priest will provide further support, encouragement and information about our way of prayer together in the coming weeks.

The second vital aspect of these challenging times is our care for each other. There are so many ways in which we are to do this: being attentive to the needs of our neighbour, especially the elderly and vulnerable; contributing to our local food banks; volunteering for charitable initiatives and organisations; simply keeping in touch by all the means open to us.

During these disturbing and threatening times, the rhythm of the prayer of the Church will continue. Please play your part in it. The effort of daily kindness and mutual support for all will continue and increase. Please play your part in this too. For your commitment to this, we thank you.

‘The Lord is my shepherd,
There is nothing I shall want.’

May God bless us all.

Vincent Cardinal Nichols, President
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Vice-President

18th March 2020

 

Liturgical Advice for the Bishops of England and Wales in the light of the COVID-19 Pandemic 18th March 2020

This advice will be reviewed and developed as necessary weekly

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, having consulted the Ordinaries of the Dioceses, has agreed that the cessation of public liturgies should begin from Friday evening 20th March 2020. Because of the situation the Church finds herself in, the obligation for the faithful to attend Holy Mass on a Sunday or Holy day of Obligation is removed, until further notice.

The following instruction is now given for the celebration of the Sacraments and sacramentals of the Church at this time.

Celebrations of Holy Mass

Priests (parish priest and assistant priests) who hold parochial office should continue to celebrate Mass in a church within their parish without the faithful on a daily basis. Other priests (i.e. retired from office or entrusted with a non-parochial ministry) may celebrate Mass without the faithful in a church, chapel or their private home. Deacons should not participate in these celebrations.

The continuing celebration of Mass ensures that the faithful can join in spiritual communion with the priests of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (1364): As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out. Daily liturgical resources for those at home, including those for making a “Spiritual Communion” with the priest, will be available on the CBCEW website.

Information about the live-streaming of the celebration of Mass will be made widely available in our dioceses so that the faithful can participate in the prayers of the priest at Mass at home. A fine example of this is from The National Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham will continue its full liturgical programme and this will be available to all via the Internet (www.walsingham.org.uk)

Wherever possible, during this period, churches will remain open, especially on Sundays, for individual private prayer, without any organised services, and offering prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

The Coronavirus Latest Advice  Sunday 15th March 2020 : The spread of this virus is everyone primary concern. The national advice at Masses has been updated. It has now moved from containing stage to a delaying of the spread. What does it mean for us in the parish? It means that from now until further notice, we shall temporarily cease the tradition of shaking hands and distribution of the chalice, receive Holy Communion only on the hand, No shared hymn and parish Mass books – all to be projected on screen. But if you have difficulties in reading from screen, please ask Sr Joan to give you a copy and keep using until this suspension is lifted. Tea, Coffee and biscuits after Mass in parish hall is also suspended. Hall will be opened for anybody wanting to go there, and to access toilets or washrooms. If you have cold or flu, please isolate yourself immediately from others – stay home, and call 111 if necessary. We also ask you to make sure you wash your hands and use hand gel as regular as possible and certainly before and after the church. First offertory collection – NO passing on of baskets. Second collections will be taken as retiring collection at the end of Mass as you leave the church. More here https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/

CORONA VIRUS GUIDELINES (COVID-19) Sunday 16th February 2020: Advice for Parishes and Community Facilities from (CBCEW): The key things to do are: (1) Ensure everyone maintains good hygiene especially at Mass and parish gatherings. The best way of protecting us from spread is for everyone to use universal good hygiene, which will effectively disrupt spread of the virus. We should be doing this all the time for ‘flu: “Catch it – sneeze into a tissue, Bin it – bin the tissue, Kill it – wash your hands with soap and water, Do not touch your face unless you’ve washed your hands”. (2) Ask anyone with cold or flu symptoms to refrain from taking communion from the Chalice and receive the host on the hand only. (We should be doing this anyway, every ‘flu season.) (3) Ensure good regular cleaning of surfaces lots of people touch regularly. (4) Ensure you combat discrimination against Chinese people and others wrongly assumed to have or be spreading the virus. (5) Display the public information poster (See Further Materials below). (6) Consider asking everyone at large gatherings like Mass to sanitise their hands as they come in, especially communal meals. (7) Ensure Ministers of the Eucharist sanitise their hands before and after distributing communion (we should be doing this anyway as a matter of course.) This can be done by washing hands discreetly before proceeding to the sanctuary or using good quality hand gel discreetly. Remember to use good hand washing and gel use technique. You can find more here: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthybody/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/ and a poster here: https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/resources/posters/en/ (8) There is no need as things stand, for the Chalice to be withdrawn or the sign of peace suspended, such as was advised during the 2009 ‘flu pandemic. (9) If people are not known to have coronavirus or flu-like symptoms or not asked to self-isolate because they have recently returned from an area of very high prevalence, pastoral visiting is fine. Community Facilities e.g. Hall/Centre: (1) Follow the hygiene advice for parishes. (2) If you have a suspected case of someone in a school, it is best to put the person in a room away from others while you take immediate advice from NHS 111 or NHS Direct. Follow advice from there. More information on parish notice board or go to http://www.cbcew.org.uk for more information, or https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronaviruswhat-you-need-to-know