Covid 19

Third Sunday of Lent 15th March 2020

As a precaution we have been directed to remove Mass Books from the Church.

Thank you for joining us at Mass today. I know this is an anxious time for very many people and I want to set out what we are doing in response to the corona-v i r u s o u t b r e a k . I n responding we take into account the advice given b y t h e B i s h o p s o f England and Wales and espec ia l l y ou r own Archbishop’s Decree (displayed at the back of the Church and on our website), as well as the recommendations from the Government as they develop in this ‘delay’ phase of the outbreak. The concern in this phase is to delay the peak of the outbreak in order to relieve pressure on medical services. T h e r e i s n o w a n acceptance that most of us will be affected by Covid 19 at some time. B o r i s J o h n s o n h a s starkly warned that many people will “lose loved ones before their time”. As Christians it is our

firm and certain belief that when we die “life is changed, not ended, and w h e n t h i s e a r t h l y dwelling turns to dust, and everlasting dwelling i s m a d e r e a d y i n heaven”. However, it is also our belief that this life is good and that we should do what we can to look after people and keep them safe. You will notice a number of measures at Mass today. To prevent the spread of infection there are no hymn or Mass books. We have single use song sheets for the Masses wi th music. P l e a s e t a k e t h e newsletter home with you or put it in the bin provided as you leave the church. We have made ant isept ic gel available at the back of the church. Holy Water is a v a i l a b l e f r o m t h e sacristy but the stoops at the back of the church are empty to minimise the risk of germs being left by people touching

them. Similarly we have removed the lighter from the vo t i ve cand les : please light from an existing candle or place your unlit candles on the stand and we will light them later. There will be no Sign of Peace at Mass. We have also increased our cleaning regime at the church not only using bleach on surfaces, but frequently using antiseptic wipes on door handles and other p l a c e s t h a t m i g h t harbour infection. Our desire is not only that you feel safe but that you be safe at church. There is one other measure which I am taking as your parish priest. As Catholics we have a grave obligation to attend Mass each week. I know that many peop le wor ry about missing Mass. A parish priest has the authority to grant a dispensation from this obligation. Elderly people and those with underlying health

Parish Life & Newsissues are particularly vulnerable at this time. I am therefore, with immediate effect, invoking my authority as parish priest of St Elizabeth of Portugal, to grant a dispensation from the obligation of Sunday Mass to anyone over the age of 65 in our parish, to those parishioners with underlying health issues, and to anyone who is anxious or fearful about attending Mass. This Dispensation will remain in effect until 14 days after the Government has announced we have reached the peak of the epidemic. In granting this Dispensation no one is being asked to stay away from Mass. You are welcome to come as usual. Its purpose is simply to give you absolute freedom to choose what is best in your circumstances and to remove on the part of the church any pressure you might feel.

Other Measures: 1. Our regular Masses and services continue as normal. This includes the

concert this afternoon. 2. The crypt: teas and coffees will continue to be served at small parish

gatherings in the crypt unless the organisers choose to discontinue this service. However, we are reviewing procedures for larger gatherings.

3. The above may change should the Government at some stage suggest school closures or a limit to groups gathering together.

4. We have cancelled the Mission due to take place next week. I would like to express my thanks to all those who offered help with the mission team. This decision was taken out of concerns that travel restrictions might be imposed and also because some of the team were told they would have to go into quarantine back in the Unites States before being allowed back to university.

5. At a time of anxiety we should pray. The church will remain open for prayer during the day.

Prayer Vigil On Thursday evening this week, after the 7.00pm Mass, I will expose the Blessed Sacrament for public prayer and Adoration until Benediction at 9.30pm. Confessions will also be available at this time. I would like to encourage families and individuals of al ages to come and pray in the church at any time that suits them in this period. Amidst all the anxiety, it is good that we turn to the Lord in prayer: “for he is the salvation of the world, the life of the human race, the resurrection of the dead”.

Self-Isolation Please observe Government guidance as it develops. Currently, we are all asked to self-isolate and stay at home if we have symptoms of mild upper respiratory tract infection, cough or fever.

Guardian Angels We have 87 parishioners over the age of 70 some of whom may be living alone. I would like to appoint about 15 guardian angels who would be willing to telephone up to six older parishioners once or twice a week to make sure they are ok. Please contact the office if you would be willing to do this. You will need to have a training session before starting.

Parish Life & News

Archbishop Peter Smith RIP Please remember our former archbishop in your prayers.

Loretto Praise & Worship Night On Sunday evenings there is a Praise & Worship Night in the crypt, including a talk and a period of Adoration. For the present we encourage those at risk from the virus not to come but to pray for the parish at home.

Bible Study The Bible Study Group will next meet in the presbytery at 8.30am on Friday 20th March and Fridays thereafter

Stations of the Cross A reminder that, during Lent, there will be Stations of the Cross in the Church every Friday at 7.00pm

Catholic Women’s League The Catholic Women's League will meet in the crypt on Thursday, March 19th at 13.30 and pray the stations of the cross. All visitors are welcome.

Creative Community Group Following a popular ‘pilot’ session, the next meeting of the Creative Community Group will be on Friday 20th March from 10.30am to 12.30pm - Lower Crypt.

Talks on the Faith On Tuesday at 7.30pm we continue our course on the Catholic Faith: Tues 17th March: The Sacraments Tues 24th March: Sacraments of Initiation Tues 31st March: Sacraments of Healing & Mission

Making An Appointment with Fr Stephen Calendly - the online Diary

The process is simple: just visit the website: https://calendly.com/frstephenlangridge

There you will be able to see his availability up to twenty one days in advance and book either a fifteen or thirty minute appointment. There is also the option of booking an appointment to discuss a baptism or a wedding.

Miserere Mei Today at 3.00pm

St Elizabeth's invites you to a concert of music for Lent, featuring choral classics like Allegri's Miserere and Lotti's Crucifixus, alongside JS Bach's sublime but virtuosic motet Jesu Meine Freude (Jesus, my joy). Featuring some of the top young singers in the capital, you will be moved, but also provoked to deeper reflection on the season.

Allegri’s setting of Psalm 51, Miserere Mei, is a work of art so hauntingly beautiful, the music such a mysteriously perfect match to the sentiments of the psalm, that it was for many years allowed to be performed only in the Sistine Chapel on Spy Wednesday and Good Friday, and it was forbidden to transcribe the music.

Parish Contact Details: St Elizabeth of Portugal The Vineyard, Richmond, TW10 6AQ Tel. 020 8940 2439

Mass Attendance Last Week:

Sat. 5:30pm 87

Sun. 9.30am 153

Sun. 11.00am 92

Sun. 5.30pm 128

Total: 460

Thank You Thank you for your offering last week which is shown below.

Please consider supporting our work by Standing Order: as more and more people self-isolate we expect our finances to be badly hit.

Gift Aid £330.00

Not Gift Aid £579.26

Total: £909.26

Mass Intentions this WeekSaturday Second Sunday of Lent 5:30pm Tom & Joan Bryan & Julie Lambert RIP Sunday 9:30am Charles Scullion RIP 11:00am Gerry Breen RIP 5:30pm Pro Populo

Monday Feria 9.00am Alberta O’Brien RIP

Tuesday St Patrick, Bishop, Patron of Ireland 9.00am Fr Martin Joseph O’Brien RIP

Wednesday Feria 9.00am Holy Souls

Thursday Feria 7.00pm Goodhart Family Intentions

Friday Feria 10.00am Holy Souls

7.00pm Stations of the Cross

Saturday Fourth Sunday of Lent 5:30pm

Sunday 9:30am Pro Populo 11:00am Ellen Mary O’Shea RIP 5:30pm

Please Pray for: Margaret Moore, Judiel Valdez, Juliana Ditsche, Ava Borsley, Christopher Browne, Gaye Delanghe, Ben Horgan, Ella Dale, Stella Richards, Sha Smith, Anne Wilkinson, Peter Connor.

Also please pray for all those mentioned in the Parish Prayer Book at the back of the Church.

Confessions: After each weekday Mass and Saturdays 4.45pm-5.15pm.

Email Addresses Parish: richmond@rcaos.org.uk Gift Aid: richmondgac1@rcaos.org.uk Safeguarding Team: richmondsg1@safeguardrcaos.org.uk