Dear Parishioners
Deacon Alan and myself look forward to welcoming you back to Church. It has been a long time since we first went into lockdown – just a year ago. I fervently hope that our Churches never close again. I am sure you have very much missed being able to come physically to Mass and receive the Eucharist, Confession and other Sacraments. Our faith is one of prayer and community, and it will be wonderful to be able to join together to support each other in this way. This has also been sadly lacking over this last year. I am sure that, like us, the Lord longs to see His Churches full his people gathered together in praise and worship. I would ask you now to join with us in praying seriously for the hastening of the day when we can, without restrictions, come to fill our Church with joy and receive the Sacraments as freely as God intended.
In the meantime, as you know we are limited to only 50 people at a time, so we are aiming to offer as many opportunities for the different Holy Week services as possible, because it is important that as many of you as possible can get a chance to come and receive Holy Communion. For this reason I ask that from Friday 26 March to Wednesday 31 March inclusive you book for ONLY 1 Service.
The programme is as follows:-
Friday 26 March
9.30am Mass
10.30am – 7.45pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10.30am – 7.45pm Confession
8.00pm Rosary and Stations of the Cross via Parish webcam
Saturday 27 March
9.30am Mass
12 noon – 3.30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
12 noon – 3.30pm Confession
4.00pm & 6.00pm Vigil Masses of Palm Sunday
7.00pm Rosary via Parish webcam
Palm Sunday 28 March
8.00am 10.00am Mass and 12noon (12 noon Mass only will be by phone. Bookings will only be taken on Friday 26 March from 10.00am until 12 noon)
4.00pm and 6.00pm Mass
7.00pm Rosary via Parish webcam
Monday 29 March
9.30am Mass
12 noon Stations of the Cross – via Parish webcam
7.00pm Rosary – via Parish webcam
7.30pm Medjugorje Mass
Tuesday 30 March
9.30am Mass
12 noon Stations of the Cross – via Parish webcam
7.00pm Rosary – via Parish webcam
7.30pm Mass
Wednesday 31 March
9.30am Mass
12 noon Stations of the Cross – via Parish webcam
7.00pm Rosary – via Parish webcam
7.30pm Mass
SCIAF boxes should be handed in at any of the Services over this weekend, or posted through the letterbox of the house. Thank you.
HOLY WEEK
Booking for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday will open online on Wednesday 31 March. Again, please book for ONLY 1 service for these days in consideration of your fellow parishioners. Booking for 12 noon Mass on Easter Sunday will be by phone for those who do not have internet access.
Holy Thursday
9.30am Morning Prayer – online only
11.30am Chrism Mass (from Motherwell Cathedral on internet)
7.00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Blessed sacrament taken to Altar of Repose after Mass until 10pm
10.00pm Night Prayer – no booking required
Good Friday
9.30am Morning Prayer, Holy Communion and Veneration of the Cross
(Church closed after Service)
12 noon Stations of the Cross, Holy Communion and Veneration of the Cross
(Church closed after Service)
3.00pm Solemn Liturgy of the Passion
4.00pm – 6.00pm Church open for private visits and Veneration of the Cross
7.00pm Reading of the Passion, Holy Communion and Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday
9.30am Morning Prayer – online only
8.00pm Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
8am, 10am, Mass
12noon, 6pm 12.00 noon Mass only will be by phone. Bookings will only be taken on Friday 2 April from 10.00am until 12 noon)
Please note:
Veneration of the Cross – this year please do not touch the Cross. I suggest that you genuflect or bow or simply spend a few moments in front of it in reflection.
Palm Sunday – palms will be blessed and available from the Church porch from Friday 26 March until Palm Sunday. Can I suggest that you place a Palm at your window as a way of showing your love for the Cross of Christ.
Collection – baskets will be placed in the porch on Good Friday for donations for the Holy Places that are associated with the Life and Death of Jesus. It has been a very difficult year for Christians in the Holy Land, so please be as generous as you can. You can also post donations through the letterbox at the house.
