Sunday 02nd May 2021 : 5th Sunday of Easter

• Dear Parishioner, In this first weekend of May, we join our Mother Church in praying for the suffering. Pope Francis is requesting that during this month of May the entire Church invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the end of the pandemic and, in a special way, he is inviting all of us to pray fervently for those most closely affected by it. May this month of May be a month of prayer for us all. In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord says: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing” [John 15:5]. The first reading tells us the story of the early Christian life. The union with Christ in prayer also demanded them in union with the Christian Community, strengthened them to have the challenges and inspired them to evangelise the Good News. As we cherish the dignity of being the branches of the true vine, we ask our Lord the grace to remain with him for ever and bear fruit in plenty.  Fr Antony
  

• 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

Please Note: with the new regulations, we will only be able to hold up to 40 people in the church. We shall follow a “First Come, First Served” rule. Since the obligation to participate the Holy Mass on Sundays is still suspended, please consider attending on weekdays with your family members so that those who cannot make it on weekdays can come during the weekends. Please wear a face mask, sanitise your hands and keep a sufficient distance always in the church. Kindly follow the guidance of Welcome Ministers. Looking forward to seeing you.

It has been noticed that the number of parishioners attending Mass has increased. Whilst I am, of course, delighted to see you all, unfortunately due to the covid-19 restrictions, we are unable to accommodate everyone safely in the church. Please note that Hartley Hall will now be available to use by those unable to be accommodated within the church, where the Holy Mass will be live streamed for the 11.30am Mass. Welcome ministers will assist you and guide you to receive Holy Communion in the church at the appropriate time.

* FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Congratulations to the children who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation last weekend. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue their preparation for their First Holy Communion. The final part of the programme will continue for now via zoom on the following Saturdays at 10am:- May 15th , May 22nd, June 5th, June 19th, July 3rd. There will be two Masses for the children to receive their First Holy Communion - Saturday, July 17th and Saturday July 24th, both at 10.00 a.m. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we will not be able to celebrate this at the weekend parish Masses. Please note In September this year, we will have the final sessions and celebration for both the 2020 and 2021 children. The dates for each session will be given nearer the time. All the children will be presented with their certificates at that time.

* In October, we shall have the celebrations of the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

• According to the guidelines of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales [Vade Mecum for Holy Week 2021], we follow the following at Holy Cross.

This year, the Celebrations for Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum will be in the presence of Christ’s faithful. This differs from the situation faced last year when acts of public worship were suspended because of the covid-19 pandemic.

Please remember that we follow...

1. The wearing of face coverings in church by the faithful (unless the person has a valid exemption from this regulation)
2. Social distancing of people within the church building
3. Frequent hand cleansing with sanitiser
4. Good ventilation of the church building to refresh the air quality within
5. Cleaning of the church building after each act of public worship
6. The timely dispersing of the faithful after the acts of worship avoiding congregating in car parks or on the streets outside the church.

• 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

• URGENT NOTICE!!!! Please note that new traffic regulations came into force on Monday 19 April 2021. Cameras has started to monitor car drivers using Culverley Road between Holy Cross car park entrance and Bromley Road at certain times. Please avoid access to Holy Cross car park (Culverley Road) between 8.15-9.15am and 2.45-3.45pm, otherwise you will be issued with a penalty fine of £130.

• Ascension of the Lord: We celebrate this Holy Day of Obligation on Thursday 13th May when Father Antony will offer two Masses at 9.15am and 6.30pm
  

• PENTECOST (23rd May), THE MOST HOLY TRINITY (30th May) and CORPUS CHRISTI (6th June):

Father Antony will be offering 4 Masses over each of these weekends:  Sat 6.30pm ,Sun 9.00am, 11.30am and 1.00pm