Sunday 15th August 2021 : The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

COVID SECURITY GUIDELINES : Following the recent changes(Monday 19 July) in the regulations from the Government, the parish has issued updated guidelines for continued safe and covid-secure worship in the church.The latest document is Covid-19 Route Map - Step 4

Dear friends in Christ,

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast invites us to contemplate the salvation of the whole human person: body and soul. Mary’s body, like her soul, did not know the corruption of the grave. This mystery gives us the confirmation of our own destiny, not only to cherish the glorious body [Phil 3:21] on the day of our resurrection but also to enjoy that dignity that every ‘body’ is created in the likeness and the image of God [Gen1:27].Fr Antony

Lebanon Appeal: Thank you so much for the generosity you have shown in your donations last week to provide financial support to help the suffering people of Lebanon. I am very pleased to advise you that the Second Collections amounted to £1,065, and the Diamond Club Table Top Sale raised a further £265. The Holy Cross Finance Committee agreed that the appeal warranted further support, and therefore a further sum was added to bring the total donation to £2,500. A cheque for this sum has been sent to the Holy Family Sisters in Lebanon. Since then, an additional £250 contribution has been generously made towards this appeal. Please continue to keep the people of Lebanon in your prayers. Thank you.

• Please note that the Mass times have been reviewed : See below (Mass Times and Intentions)

All the Masses will be live-streamed: https://holy-cross-stream.click2stream.com

• Holy Mass from Saturday 24th July [if the restrictions are relaxed]: Fr Antony and one other Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharistic will be distributing the Holy Sacrament at all weekend Masses. After receiving the Holy Communion, you can return to your seats to receive the final blessings. Please follow the guidance of the Welcome Ministers as you leave. You may remain in the church for your personal prayers for a short time, up to 5 minutes when a bell will be rung, as the church will need to be sanitised

• Vespers [Evening Prayer of the Church] at Holy Cross: All the members of 9pm Monastery are invited for the Vespers at 5pm in our Holy Cross Church on this Sunday.
  

• Parish Surgery: Meet with Fr Antony without an appointment every Tuesday after the 9:15am Mass, and every Friday at 5:00pm
  

• Until the End of the Pandemic:

1. Please ensure you sanitise your hands as you enter and leave the church.
2. 9pm for Night Prayer [every day except Saturday]: In this Pandemic, let us pray together as God’s family and receive His blessings before going to sleep.

   Please invite your family also to join prayer. Meeting ID: 7578777461; Passcode: 20212021.

For those children who made their First Holy Communion in 2020, you are invited to attend Mass on Saturday 11th September at 10:00am.

For those children who made their First Holy Communion in 2021, you are invited to attend Mass on Saturday 18th September at 10:00am.

After each Mass, the Candidates and their families are invited to a celebration party in Hartley Hall. If you can wear your special outfits, please do. Otherwise please dress smartly.

• The Holy Mass is offered everyday  via Livestream

• : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTBK92cTt8hZCEZ4mruXZNQ

• Our Newsletter is available by visiting our Newsletter webpage with updates on how and when to register for the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation and RCIA

Please take a copy of the Newsletter home with you - please do not leave it in the church. Thank you.

• Diamond Club Magazine is available here