St Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol

STOP PRESS

Fr Richard writes: On Monday 19th July all legal restrictions are being removed. HOWEVER, both the government and the medical advice is to be very cautious and observe safe distancing and face mask measures – and others – while this Delta Variant of the Covid Virus is infecting so many people (including this who have received both vaccines). The Bristol area is experiencing among the highest levels of infection in UK. We cannot 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.

I ask us all to recognise that the dangers presented by this Virus are not yet over and we still must remain cautious and help keep each other and the whole community safe – it is a measure of our love and care for each other and especially for our NHS workers and patients.

[1] PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL DECISIONS CONCERNING COVID PROCEDURES

The PPC have received advice from our parishioners (Dr) Diarmuid and Liz (infection control nurse at BRI), as well as guidance from the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. We remain with a duty of care towards all who come to Mass (or otherwise use our premises) and a responsibility to ensure all Health and safety measures are in place. The guidance stresses we need to take into account local levels of Covid infection and members of our community who might be at rick of infection (eg low immunity).
The infection levels in Bristol are very high and therefore the PPC has decided unanimously that face masks should be worn, safe distancing observed and track and trace continue along with hand-sanitising. Both sets of toilets can now be used, but after use please sanitise hands. The choir only can sing but the congregation can ‘hum along’ if wearing face masks. We will resume the taking of 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 Robert 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

Welcome to St Nick’s, Bristol

Whether this is your first time to our Church family, or you have been coming here for many years – all are very welcome to be part of this wonderfully multi-cultural and diverse community of faith and friendship.
This parish has been witnessing to Christ and serving the people of this part of Bristol since 1848.

We are a ‘Communion of Communities in Mission’ with more than 60 nationalities who gather each Sunday at 10am to celebrate God’s great Love for the world in our Mass.

Our commitment is to be a people at the service of the poor, both locally and globally; to be a community of warmth and welcome; to be a community of healing and hope. We are committed to work for the unity of the Church with our brothers and sisters of other Christian traditions, sharing mission and worship together; and to seek to build a fellowship of all believers among the many world faiths in our area.

In other words, we have long been seeking to grow as the kind of community that Pope Francis envisages in his Letter ‘Joy in the Gospel’

Sisters and brothers, thank you for all you are doing to support one another and many others in your neighbourhood. Thank you for your generosity in finance, time, energy and concern to make sure the parish can continue (grow even!) as a Light in the Inner City. I am profoundly grateful to the Lord for bringing me to St Nicks as your brother and your pastor. Know that you are prayed for every day!

In the love of Christ Jesus! Shalom! Peace!

Richard

WHO IS ST NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO?

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 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!

All are welcome
Sunday Mass – 10:00am

First Sunday of the Month at 3pm – Mass for people with special needs with the Clifton Catholic Fellowship

Regrettably, this Mass continues to be cancelled at this time because of the Covid 19 Virus. We continue to hold our sisters and brothers who share this Mass in our prayer and concern.

Second Sunday of the Month at 3pm – Signed Mass with the Deaf Community

this Mass also is cancelled at this time because of the Covid 19 Virus. We will publicise when we are able to resume these celebrations. WE hold IN PRAYER our sisters and brothers who sO VALUE GATHERING FOR THIS MASS.

However please note thanks to Sherrie Eugene we will be Signing the Parish Mass at 10.00am for the Hearing impaired Mass on the First Sunday of the Month, beginning one February 7th – these Masses of course will be live-streamed on our Parish Website – please see the Parish Bulletin to confirm details.

Third Sunday of the Month at 3pm – LGBT+ Mass

I am very pleased to announce that this Mass has now resumed. All are welcome to come and share this mass, especially if shift work prohibits you coming to the 10am Mass.

Sunday Mass at 10.00am, with the church open from 9.00am and doors locked at 10.00am as Mass begins because of Covid Safety measures. All Sunday Masses are now live-streamed. Thank you to all who have donated to help us establish this new form of mission and ministry.Your Parish Pastoral Council will keep all Covid Safety measures under constant review. Thank you to all volunteers enabling us to gather for Mass safely Shalom! Richard