Parish of the Holy Child & St Joseph
Midland Road, Bedford
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As of 5th January 2021 we enter another lockdown in England.
Under the new restrictions, churches are allowed to remain open for both private prayer and collective worship. Mass will therefore be celebrated as usual.
As before, we are obliged to wear face coverings and to sanitise our hands. Contact tracing is also in place. We must remain vigilant regarding the rules already in place for places of worship, especially to avoid mingling with anyone outside of your household or support bubble when attending church, both inside the building and outside.
Pray that there will not be a further lockdown depriving us of our religious practise.
Many of you are generously sponsoring young children in Uganda in their education. Ted Fawcett, parishioner at St Joseph’s and chairman of EVC Uganda, gives us an update on the achievements of the charity during 2020:
As I look back on 2020, with all its disruptions, I am pleased to report much positive news about our work in Uganda. The building of a boys’ and a girls’ dormitory at one of our primary schools has been completed and work has commenced there on the building of a five-classroom block, which will be used for the teaching of IT and vocational skills. This is due for completion in April and all of this work is a great step forward for the school. Regular inspections are carried out by qualified people on all EVC building work and the standard is consistently very high.
With the closure of schools in March, due to the virus, our team in Uganda has worked tirelessly and successfully to provide outreach education to the EVC sponsored children in their homes. On 15th October, those children due to sit their Primary Leaving Examination and those secondary students due to sit GCSE and A level exams returned to school. We hope to see the schools reopen for the remaining children in early January.
[Read more…] about EVC Uganda: A Good News StoryBishop 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]
Canon Seamus has recorded a video message, inviting us to trust in God and to find hope and peace in daily prayer. He reminds us that, despite current uncertainties, the Lord is with us.
If we are comfortable, he also extends an invitation to attend Sunday Mass. Please see our latest newsletter for Mass Times.
It is a joy to welcome you back to Sunday Mass! This long fast from the Eucharist has been a trial for all who understand the importance of the Mass for us Catholics.
In compliance with regulations, the congregation is obliged to wear a face-covering, as Canon Seamus has opted for the one-metre-plus distancing option in order to allow for more capacity in the church. If this is not workable, we will have to revert to 2 metres distancing so, please be patient as we try to work out what is best.
The pews have been measured – 3 persons to a pew or more if from the same household. The central aisle has been marked as you come to Communion, one row at a time. Please be observant of this. Reception of Holy Communion will be on the hand only.
[Read more…] about We have re-opened for Public Liturgy!