Removal of the obligation to attend Mass during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Owing to the serious situation, the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has updated its guidelines (see the attached letter). The Obligation for the Faithful to attend Holy Mass on a Sunday or Holy day of Obligation has been removed, until further notice.

How does this affect activities in our Parish?

• UPDATED INFORMATION - TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF HOLY MASS AND ALL OTHER SERVICES FROM TUESDAY 24TH MARCH 2020 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
  
• The Priests of the Parish will continue to celebrate Mass within the Parish without the Faithful present on a daily basis. The continuing celebration of Mass ensures that the Faithful can join in spiritual communion with the priests of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (1364): As often as the sacrifice of the Cross is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.
  
• ALL Lenten and other services are CANCELLED until further notice.

Will the churches still be open for private prayer?

Bishop Marcus has instructed us that with immediate effect from midnight of the 23rd March 2020 that all places of worship should be closed, it is with the greatest regret and sadness that he must instruct all priests of the Diocese of Leeds to close their churches and for them to remain closed until further notice.
In the meantime, we have a duty as Catholic Christians to do all we can to comply with the legitimate demands of the government and civil authorities to protect the lives and well-being of the faithful and all citizens.

What about Mass Intentions?

Masses will still be offered by the Priests of the Parish in private and details of the intentions as published on the bulletin.

Resources

• Two leaflets on "Spiritual Communion" and "when Mass cannot be celebrated publicly" are available from the parish office or the Diocesan website for your use. We have added them to our website, or you can download the PDF files with the links below.
  Spiritual Communion (PDF)
  When Mass cannot be celebrated publicly (PDF)
  
• There will be a LIVE-STREAMED CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS from Leeds Cathedral which will be accessible through Youtube. The live-streaming of the 11 am Sunday Mass will continue each week whilst the celebration of public Masses is suspended. To participate online, please access the following new YouTube channel is live www.leedscathedrallive.org.uk and may also be accessed via a link embedded on the Cathedral's home page: https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/cathedral
  
• Other churches in the Diocese with live-streaming facilities are St Edward's, Clifford https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/stedward-king-confessor-church-clifford-wetherby ) and the parish of St Mary's, Halifax (https://www.stmaryshalifax.com/. The Parish of Mary, Mother of God, Wibsey, Bradford, also plan to have this facility.
  
• Holy Mass is celebrated and live-streamed from the National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham every day at 12:00noon. To view please follow the following link: http://www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream
  
• Daily Mass and other devotions can also be accessed through the EWTN television channel and online: https://www.ewtn.com/. The Holy Father's Daily Mass, celebrated in Italian with English translation, can be accessed on the Holy See's Youtube Channel.

Will the Parish Bulletin still be produced?

Yes - it will be posted on the church doors for viewing or details on the website.

Do we know if the suspension will be lifted before Holy Week?

We have no information yet. Please check the website or Parish Bulletin for updates.

Visiting the homebound

The Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion are asked to refrain from visiting the housebound with Holy Communion until further notice. Should they need a priest in case of death, please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible.

Funerals

Arrangements for funerals already organised will be honoured, but all new bookings for funerals will comply with the guidelines issued by the Bishops' Conference, namely that they will be performed as graveside or Direct Crematorium which means no service or Clergy & family attendance.

Sunday offertory collection

These are still very welcome and can be placed into the Presbytery letterboxes or the parish office. If you would like to set up a standing order please contact the parish office as below.

Parish Office

For any other information or concerns, please contact the Parish Office 0113 2645260 between the hours of 8.30am - 1.30pm or email office.stjohnnewman@dioceseofleeds.org.uk.