We are writing to let you know that, as things stand, churches including ours are allowed to remain open at this time. However, the new variant of Covid-19 is highly transmissible and it is crucial that we maintain the highest level of controls to avoid transmission at church. As such there will be changes at Mass from this weekend and, in addition, we must remind you of some basic safety requirements:
Mark and Tim Craig have completed another lively, uplifting video, The Virgin Mary had a baby boy, just in time for Christmas! The video features singers and instrumentalists, performing virtually, from St Francis de Sales, St Joseph's, Our Lady of Lourdes and from across the UK and Europe.
We need more volunteers before we can open the Church for private prayer and so we will be unable to open this Thursday, 25th June, as we had hoped.
Our Lady of Lourdes in Hungerford is open for private prayer on Wednesdays between 12 and 4pm, if you would like to go there. Alternatively, please volunteer yourself!
Apologies, we had some technical issues this week, which delayed the service start and meant last minute having to drop our remote readers and music.
Fortunately, we were still able to proceed with plans to close with a performance from our very own Fr Zbigniew, who took the internet by storm by personally performing the closing hymn on a his guitar. The audience were all at home, but we're sure they were clapping and cheering at the end.
If you missed it, you can find the clip here.
As we cope with coronavirus in the UK, CAFOD asks us to think of our sisters and brothers in developing countries who are facing this pandemic with fragile health systems, some of which have almost no intensive care beds or ventilators.
Add to this rising food prices, loss of jobs and income, lack of access to washing facilities and limited ability to social distance. The likely impact will be devastating.
Prayer and listening to God is a vital part of our everyday life, but sometimes it is difficult to pray. The Diocese have set up a prayer and listening service at the instigation of Bishop Philip and a trained Prayer Minister is available to help you, if you wish. Have a look at https://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/prayer-support
We wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Easter in these strange times.
If you missed it, you can watch Easter Sunday Mass here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9w6id9uBe0
While we are separated from each other, if you usually put money in the collection at Mass, we would like to encourage you to donate direct to the parish account instead. Details of this are:
Lloyds Bank
30 93 04
00882993
PRCDTR Newbury St Francis de Sales
Ref: St Francis de Sales/Your name
