CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC
(Parish and Diocesan briefs as we pass through these unprecedented trial Moments)
LINKS TO DOCUMENTS
Links To Our Online Live Stream Masses
Contacts For NHS Trace and Track of Mass Attendees (25th July 2020)
Masses from St Chad's Cathedral
Archbishop Bernard's Message for Holy Week
Easter Duty, Sacrament Of Reconciliation, Obligation to Attend Mass On Sunday
Closure of Churches and Chapels (24th March 2020)
Prayer for the end of Corona Virus Pandemic
Public Letter From the Presidency CBCEW
Change in Pastoral Programme due To Corona Virus
Confession by Phone, Skype, or Emoji?
PARISH PASTORAL PROGRAMME DURING THIS TIME OF CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC WITH EFFECT FROM FROM 20TH MARCH 2020.
My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
As a result of the corona virus pandemic, the Catholic Church in England and Wales has suspended public worship in our churches starting from the 20th of March 2020 till further notice. This is an invitation to reinvigorate our faith in God.
1. DAILY MASSES: 10.30 AM (Without a Congregation).
(Priests are allowed to celebrate Masses but without a congregation. We are all encouraged to participate in spirit.
2. MASS REQUEST:
If you want to request for Mass to be offered for your intention please feel free to send in your Mass request to fr.josephat.ezeanolue@rcaob.org.uk. Please note that the Mass request will be celebrated without a congregation but will be published in the parish news bulletin and website. Please let us know if you do not want this publication.
3. DIVINE MERCY CHAPEL:
The Divine Mercy Chapel will remain open as usual (9.30 am - 6.00 pm daily) for private prayers and devotions. Please note that the required hygiene and social distance should always be maintained.
4. EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:
(The required hygiene and Social Distance should be maintained).
5. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSIONS):
a) Thursdays: 5.30 pm - 6.00 pm.
b) Saturdays: 11.00 am - 11.30 am.
NOTE:
i) Only the confessional may be used.
ii) Members of the parish in self-isolation who need the sacrament of reconciliation are requested not to just turn up. They should rather first call the parish line 0121 553 0034 to arrange with the priest.
6. ONLINE ROSARY/REFLECTION ON SUNDAY READINGS:
Every Sunday: 7.00 pm - 7.30 pm.
The Dial-In Number is: 03300881939
Access Code is: 536637#
To join, please dial the Dial-in Number and key in the Access Code when requested. The line will open as from 6.55 pm.
(As far as possible let us say our rosary every day. Those who do not have rosary beads free rosary beads are provided in the porch of the church. Feel free to pick up one for your personal use).
7. STATIONS OF THE CROSS (ONLINE):
Every Friday in Lent 7.00 pm - 7.30 pm.
The line will open at 6.55 pm.
Members of the Parish are advised to do the Stations of the Cross on their own as often as they can during this Lenten Season. Copies of the various versions of the Stations of the Cross will be provided. You can take copies home for private use at home. .
8. PARISH WEBSITE:
The Parish Website - http://www.stmichaelwestbromwich.org will be updated and the Weekly Parish News Bulletin and other updates will be regularly published there. You are advised to access the website regularly for these updates.
9. PARISH NEWS BULLETIN:
The Parish News Bulletin will be made available every week in the porch of the church and the parish website. It will contain The Sunday Readings and all other the necessary information.
10. SPECIAL EMERGENCIES (VIATICUM, LAST RITES, ETC):
If a member of the parish requires last rites, or viaticum please let the Hospital Staff call the chaplain of the hospital immediately; and then go further to inform the Parish Priest in case the Chaplain is not available.
UPDATES ON COVID-19 AS WE RECEIVE THEM
24th March 2020.
Closure of Churches and Chapels
As part of the measure to curtail the Spread of the Corona Virus infection the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham has directed that all Churches and Chapels in the Archdiocese must be closed to the public with effect from today 24th March 2020; and should remain permanently locked until the restriction is lifted.
In compliance with this directive, we regret to inform you that the Divine Mercy Chapel in the Church will be closed to the public forthwith. However, let us not relent in continuing our private prayers and devotions soliciting for divine intervention in our respective homes and personal spaces.
Thank you for your understanding.