First Sunday of Advent
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Pastoral Letter: First Sunday of Advent
Bishop David has written us a Pastoral Letter at this very important time in the liturgical year:
Dear friends in Christ,
‘Christmas is cancelled!’ This abrupt headline appeared during September, causing consternation throughout the land. It became clearer, journalists were referring to the cultural trappings of a festive season. But there was also the lingering prospect that we may not be able to meet up with all our loved ones because of the virus. In truth, of course, Christmas cannot be cancelled. It is a historical event, one which has a wonderful implication for ourselves as we journey through these difficult days with hope. In the words of St Paul, ‘when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.’ [1] Three centuries after the apostle wrote those words, St Athanasius reflected upon what it means that God sent his Son, born of a woman. This great theologian of Christmas lived in a time when some denied the truth of the Incarnation, that Jesus is consubstantial with the Father. And so he tells us why Jesus, ‘the incorporeal and incorruptible Word of God entered our world.’ [2] Our human minds ‘had fallen finally to the level of sensible things’. [3]
No Public Masses During Lockdown
As part of the Government’s strategy to combat the spread of the coronavirus, we are obliged to close our churches to collective worship whilst remaining open for private prayer.
No scientific evidence has been produced for this particular edict, which displays a lack of understanding of the essential nature of public worship for the good and well-being of those who attend. This means that there will be no public Mass celebrated until the end of the lockdown on 2nd December. Mass, however, will be said in private during this time.
St Joseph’s church will be open for private prayer from 9.30am to 5.00pm each day, and Adoration will continue as normal on Thursdays.
Our Lady’s, Kempston, will be open from 11.00am to 1.00pm daily and for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Sundays from 11.00am to 12.30pm and on Fridays from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
Please read details of the Prime Minister’s statement and the statement from the President and Vice-President of the Bishop’s Conference. You can keep up to date with how the pandemic is affecting our churches on their website.
