St Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church

LOVER OF GOD, LOVER OF THE POOR

St Nicholas, lover of children, born like Samuel, Samson and John the Baptist of barren parents, the gift of God and his parents gift to God.
St Nicholas, who learnt to break bread with the poor long before he learnt to break the Bread of the Eucharist – risking his future in obedience to the God of the Poor and disobeying the voices of those who knew not the poor man of Nazareth.
St Nicholas, man of prayer who entered Love’s silence in order the proclaim Love’s Saving Word.
St Nicholas, vessel of God’s healing love, from whom healing and life flowed in all abundance, raising the dead, healing the wounds, setting free.
St Nicholas, God’s compassion to the prisoner, God’s protector and rescuer of the prostitute, listening with an gentle heart and open mind.
St Nicholas, reaching in praying love beyond the bridge of death, holding the Departed in the purifying love of God.
St Nicholas, inspirer of our mission, healer of our wounds pray for us!

PLEASE NOTE:    WHEN EMAILING RICHARD PLEASE USE FROM NOW ON USE THE  FOLLOWING EMAIL:   richard.mckay@cliftondiocese.com   AND NO LONGER THE ‘BLUEYONDER’ EMAIL ADDRESS WHICH NO LONGER FUNCTIONS.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY MOST ESPECIALLY  FOR THE SICK, FOR ALL HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN HOSPITALS, CARE HOMES AND THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS ENABLING OUR SOCIETY TO FUNCTION AT THIS TIME.

PLEASE ALSO PRAY FOR OUR NATION AND ALL NATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE STRUGGLING WITH THIS PANDEMIC. SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER WITH KINDNESS AND CARE, ESPECIALLY OUR ELDERLY AND MOST VULNERABLE. LET US EXPLORE HOW WE CAN EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS – LET THE LIGHT OF CHRIST’S COMPASSION AND LOVE SHINE THROUGH US AND GIVE THE GLORY TO GOD!

STOP PRESS

Fr Richard writes:      We are facing a new and possibly greater danger with this Omicron Variant  and our government has at last re-imposed certain restrictions. Our bishops have made it clear that we as the Church, a healing and caring community, must continue to be very cautious and observe safe distancing, face mask, hand washing/sanitising and other measures to keep our elderly, our vulnerable and our children as safe as possible. The Bishops also emphasise the Christian responsibility for all to be fully vaccinated in order to limit transmission and therefore impossible pressure on the Health Service.  This is not the time to relax the measures we have at Mass – until our medical advisors say we can. We shall monitor the situation locally (as advised by our Bishops) and relax measures only when it is safe to do so. As Christians we are to give at this time especially an example of caring responsibly for the most vulnerable among us (in particular those with low immunity because of other conditions). We want to ensure everyone feels safe to come and worship together at Mass.

[1]    PARISH  PASTORAL COUNCIL DECISIONS CONCERNING COVID PROCEDURES

The PPC has recognises the Government legal requirement that face masks  be worn (except if medically exempt), safe distancing observed and track and trace continue along with hand-sanitising. After using the toilets,  please sanitise hands. The good news is that  we can continue to sing as a congregation provided we wear masks and continue with safe distancing in the church building. It is also an opportunity to rebuild our One World Music Ministry. We have resumed taking the collection (and bringing food to the altar for the foodbank) at the offertory. We are not yet able to socialise inside (eg coffee after Mass). However the PPC will monitor the situation and relax further as we are advised by our health-care advisers.
I ask all parishioners to understand that these measures are to maximise the safety of others and the whole community, not just ourselves. They will be regularly reviewed.

[2]             Mass (or a Service of Word and Communion) Monday to Sunday, is celebrated  in  the church. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will normally precede the celebration of Mass. Times in the bulletin and on the Mass Times page here.  Other prayer times and talks will be live-streamed from the presbytery on the Face Book Page (thank you, Marta!) and times are also notified in the bulletin – please do consult it on the website.

[3]            The Parish Food Bank remains open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 1.00pm, so do not hesitate to come if you and/or your family have need of support in this way during these difficult times. Remember that it can take as much love to accept support as to give support! I am concerned that we need stronger (younger than us 70+) people to deal with deliveries – Health and Safety with lifting crates of food. These deliveries mostly come 9-10.15am so if anyone can help with this, please contact Robert at the Parish Office (please do not just turn up but contact first). Thank you.

[4]  The Parish Office remains open Monday to Friday 10.00am to 1.00pm and the Admin team will pass on to me all messages that need my attention if you cannot reach me otherwise. They can also offer help and support with a variety of issues. Please phone the parish office (0117-9090419) during these times or myself at the presbytery (0117-909-8810 – at any reasonable time) with your questions, concerns or need for any kind of support.

Meanwhile, the most important thing is to do all we can to protect each other from the Virus by acting responsibly at all times and following the government restrictions even if we do not like them! AND PRAY! Pray for all sufferers, pray for all who are vulnerable (especially the homeless and those with underlying health conditions); pray for all health workers and carers (both in care homes and in the community) and for all families and individuals particularly affected by the virus and associated restrictive measures that can cause great anxiety and stress.

Shalom!

Richard