WELCOME!
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THANK YOU ALL
As we celebrate the Octave Day of Easter, I wish to thank everyone who contributed to the beauty and wonder of our Holy Week and Easter ceremonies – Stewards, servers, musicians, readers, floral artists, church cleaner, and all those “behind the scenes”. You all did such a wonderful job on behalf of us all – thank you.
It was wonderful to see Fr David at the ceremonies. Please pray for his full recovery.
I would also wish to add a personal note of thanks for your generosity to Fr David and to me, through the Easter offering, and through your personal gifts and cards. May God bless you all for your kindness, Father Kevin.
Attendance at the Masses of Easter was 410 people – what a wonderful number!
OUR SYMPATHY TO HER MAJESTY
We offer our deepest sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen and to the entire Royal Family following the death on Friday of His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. May he, after a long, full and active life, rest in peace.
THE OCTAVE DAY OF EASTER
The Gospel reading for this Sunday reminds us about the life of the earliest Christian community. They were behind closed doors; anxious after the Lord’s death, and uncertain about the news of his resurrection. You might say, using that dreadful word which we have come to hear so regularly, that they were experiencing ‘lockdown’.
Into that situation comes Our Lord, risen from the dead, speaking words of peace and imparting, through the act of breathing on the disciples, the gift of the Holy Spirit, so that they may be his agents of forgiveness and reconciliation in the world.
There was a problem, however. Thomas, one of the Lord’s Apostles was not there; why, we do not know. Perhaps for him the fact of Jesus’ death on the cross meant that the game was up. He could see no way forward, and so had removed himself from the group of the disciples.
On the Octave Day of Easter, Jesus again comes to the disciples, into that locked room; and again imparts his peace. This time he reveals his divine mercy, and invites Thomas to ‘doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas responds, ‘My Lord and my God!’
At the time of one of Jesus’ healing miracles in the gospels, we hear from the man asking Jesus for help, the words, ‘Lord I have faith, help the little faith that I have’ or in another translation, ‘Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief’.
The difficult circumstances of our individual lives and also the challenges of this present time can disturb our own faith; may cause all sorts of questions to arise in our minds and hearts. There may be times when, like Thomas, we may wonder about what is happening. On those occasions may we hear the words of the risen Christ inviting us to discover that peace which is to be found in him, and to respond as Thomas, with Easter faith, ‘My Lord and my God’, happy to be those who’ have not seen, and yet believe.’
I hope that you and your family will have some blessed times together in spite of all the present difficulties.
NEWS ABOUT THE PANDEMIC
We are aware of an increase in Covid-19 cases locally and would like to reiterate the need for vigilance. From this Sunday, the stewards will be requested to spread the congregation as much as possible throughout the church, in an attempt to ensure at least a 2 m space between groups and hence you may be requested to forego your regular spot. To protect the stewards, we will also be asking those who do are not using the NHS Covid-19 App or bringing a pre-filled form to fill in their own form and then to sanitise hands before entering church. Please also try to pass though the narthex as quickly as possible to your allocated seat. For those not using the NHS Covid-19 App who subsequently test positive for Covid-19, it is imperative that you inform us, either by email or phoning Father Kevin to let us know any mass you attended up to 14 days before becoming unwell.
From the guidance issued on 4 January by HM Government:
‘You can attend places of worship for a service (Mass). However, you must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. You should maintain strict social distancing at all times.’
No one should feel under any compulsion to come to Church.
Let us continue, therefore, as long as is possible, to come together for the worship of Almighty God and to encourage, support and pray for each other.
Please pray for St Augustine’s, Crackley Hall and all places of education attended by our young people at this challenging time, and for all doctors, nurses and ancillary workers in health care.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the release of the NHS Covid 19 App, a QR code will now be displayed just inside the entrance of St Francis church. Parishioners may now scan the QR code on arrival. It will be sufficient for only one member of the family/group sitting together to scan the code. For those who do not have/wish to use the App, we are asking all those who attend church to provide their name and contact details in accordance with the NHS "Track and Trace". To speed up entry to church, please bring a pre-filled in attendance slip available here.
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• All people coming to mass must wear a face covering (e.g. face mask or scarf)
• The church will be well ventilated with doors and windows open so please dress accordingly
• When arriving please observe the 1 m + social distance. There will be a steward to welcome you at the main door of the church (the door through the covered link will be closed).
• Alcohol-based hand gel will be available and must be used on entry and departure from the church.
• A steward will direct you to a space. There is space for family groups to sit together whilst still distanced from others.
• Personal possessions should be kept to a minimum.
• Toilets will not be available.
Please stay at home if...
+ You may have a pre-existing condition or are immuno-compromised
+ You are feeling ill, including high temperature, a new continuous cough, loss of smell/taste
+ You suspect you may be ill or have been exposed to Covid 19
+ You have a sick family member at home
During Mass there will be no singing, offertory procession, or physical sign-of-peace. There may be single-use mass sheets which you are asked to take home with you and recycle.
At the time of Holy Communion please stay seated until directed by a steward. Receive in silence in the hand (at arm’s length). Face coverings are to be worn to receive the host, and then step to one side and adjust face covering to consume, re-cover and then return to seat.
At the end of mass again please stay seated until instructed by a steward. The fire exits at the back of church will be used to leave church.
Collection containers for offerings will be located on a table at the exit. Please do not congregate at the end of mass and clear the exits as soon as possible. The Church will be cleaned after each Liturgy
The Parish Centre and St Augustine’s are to remain closed for the foreseeable future.
If you wish to volunteer as a steward please email us.
As we celebrate the Octave Day of Easter, I wish to thank everyone who contributed to the beauty and wonder of our Holy Week and Easter ceremonies – Stewards, servers, musicians, readers, floral artists, church cleaner, and all those “behind the scenes”. You all did such a wonderful job on behalf of us all – thank you.
It was wonderful to see Fr David at the ceremonies. Please pray for his full recovery.
I would also wish to add a personal note of thanks for your generosity to Fr David and to me, through the Easter offering, and through your personal gifts and cards. May God bless you all for your kindness, Father Kevin.
Attendance at the Masses of Easter was 410 people – what a wonderful number!
OUR SYMPATHY TO HER MAJESTY
We offer our deepest sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen and to the entire Royal Family following the death on Friday of His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. May he, after a long, full and active life, rest in peace.
THE OCTAVE DAY OF EASTER
The Gospel reading for this Sunday reminds us about the life of the earliest Christian community. They were behind closed doors; anxious after the Lord’s death, and uncertain about the news of his resurrection. You might say, using that dreadful word which we have come to hear so regularly, that they were experiencing ‘lockdown’.
Into that situation comes Our Lord, risen from the dead, speaking words of peace and imparting, through the act of breathing on the disciples, the gift of the Holy Spirit, so that they may be his agents of forgiveness and reconciliation in the world.
There was a problem, however. Thomas, one of the Lord’s Apostles was not there; why, we do not know. Perhaps for him the fact of Jesus’ death on the cross meant that the game was up. He could see no way forward, and so had removed himself from the group of the disciples.
On the Octave Day of Easter, Jesus again comes to the disciples, into that locked room; and again imparts his peace. This time he reveals his divine mercy, and invites Thomas to ‘doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas responds, ‘My Lord and my God!’
At the time of one of Jesus’ healing miracles in the gospels, we hear from the man asking Jesus for help, the words, ‘Lord I have faith, help the little faith that I have’ or in another translation, ‘Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief’.
The difficult circumstances of our individual lives and also the challenges of this present time can disturb our own faith; may cause all sorts of questions to arise in our minds and hearts. There may be times when, like Thomas, we may wonder about what is happening. On those occasions may we hear the words of the risen Christ inviting us to discover that peace which is to be found in him, and to respond as Thomas, with Easter faith, ‘My Lord and my God’, happy to be those who’ have not seen, and yet believe.’
I hope that you and your family will have some blessed times together in spite of all the present difficulties.
NEWS ABOUT THE PANDEMIC
We are aware of an increase in Covid-19 cases locally and would like to reiterate the need for vigilance. From this Sunday, the stewards will be requested to spread the congregation as much as possible throughout the church, in an attempt to ensure at least a 2 m space between groups and hence you may be requested to forego your regular spot. To protect the stewards, we will also be asking those who do are not using the NHS Covid-19 App or bringing a pre-filled form to fill in their own form and then to sanitise hands before entering church. Please also try to pass though the narthex as quickly as possible to your allocated seat. For those not using the NHS Covid-19 App who subsequently test positive for Covid-19, it is imperative that you inform us, either by email or phoning Father Kevin to let us know any mass you attended up to 14 days before becoming unwell.
From the guidance issued on 4 January by HM Government:
‘You can attend places of worship for a service (Mass). However, you must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. You should maintain strict social distancing at all times.’
No one should feel under any compulsion to come to Church.
Let us continue, therefore, as long as is possible, to come together for the worship of Almighty God and to encourage, support and pray for each other.
Please pray for St Augustine’s, Crackley Hall and all places of education attended by our young people at this challenging time, and for all doctors, nurses and ancillary workers in health care.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the release of the NHS Covid 19 App, a QR code will now be displayed just inside the entrance of St Francis church. Parishioners may now scan the QR code on arrival. It will be sufficient for only one member of the family/group sitting together to scan the code. For those who do not have/wish to use the App, we are asking all those who attend church to provide their name and contact details in accordance with the NHS "Track and Trace". To speed up entry to church, please bring a pre-filled in attendance slip available here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• All people coming to mass must wear a face covering (e.g. face mask or scarf)
• The church will be well ventilated with doors and windows open so please dress accordingly
• When arriving please observe the 1 m + social distance. There will be a steward to welcome you at the main door of the church (the door through the covered link will be closed).
• Alcohol-based hand gel will be available and must be used on entry and departure from the church.
• A steward will direct you to a space. There is space for family groups to sit together whilst still distanced from others.
• Personal possessions should be kept to a minimum.
• Toilets will not be available.
Please stay at home if...
+ You may have a pre-existing condition or are immuno-compromised
+ You are feeling ill, including high temperature, a new continuous cough, loss of smell/taste
+ You suspect you may be ill or have been exposed to Covid 19
+ You have a sick family member at home
During Mass there will be no singing, offertory procession, or physical sign-of-peace. There may be single-use mass sheets which you are asked to take home with you and recycle.
At the time of Holy Communion please stay seated until directed by a steward. Receive in silence in the hand (at arm’s length). Face coverings are to be worn to receive the host, and then step to one side and adjust face covering to consume, re-cover and then return to seat.
At the end of mass again please stay seated until instructed by a steward. The fire exits at the back of church will be used to leave church.
Collection containers for offerings will be located on a table at the exit. Please do not congregate at the end of mass and clear the exits as soon as possible. The Church will be cleaned after each Liturgy
The Parish Centre and St Augustine’s are to remain closed for the foreseeable future.
If you wish to volunteer as a steward please email us.
Mass times (see details during time of Covid-19 at top of page)
Masses in ordinary times are generally held at the following times. For weekly variations, please consult our Bulletin.
St Francis St Augustine
Sunday 09:30 & 11.15 08:00
Monday 09:30
Tuesday 12:00
Wednesday 10:00
Thursday 19:30
Friday 19:30
Saturday 10:00 & 17:30
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 10.30am – 11.00am and 4.45 pm – 5.15 pm
Masses in ordinary times are generally held at the following times. For weekly variations, please consult our Bulletin.
St Francis St Augustine
Sunday 09:30 & 11.15 08:00
Monday 09:30
Tuesday 12:00
Wednesday 10:00
Thursday 19:30
Friday 19:30
Saturday 10:00 & 17:30
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 10.30am – 11.00am and 4.45 pm – 5.15 pm
Liturgical Dates
Click here to see the liturgical dates for 2021 as published by the Liturgical Office for England & Wales.
The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham: Registered Charity No. 234216 and complies with its Privacy Notice
Prayers for the sick
Our Parish actively encourages praying for our parishioners, relatives and friends who are sick and in need of support. Until now this has been achieved on an informal basis by parishioners providing details to one of our Priests. With the advent of GDPR, we are obliged to make that process more formal - please click here in order to read more and to download the form that must be completed and given to one of our Priests.