Parish Newsletter

Open Again for Sunday Morning Mass!

Wonderful to be able to celebrate Mass once again as a community last Sunday. The basic pattern worked well, but we do have it constantly under review, especially if numbers start to rise appreciably:

1. Masses at 9.00, 10.00, 11.00 and 12.00
2. Half an hour each
3. Maximum of sixty in the congregation for each
4. ONLY sit on the yellow crosses
5. At all times be directed by the Stewards
6. Please sit individually at this stage – no bubbles
7. Face coverings advised but not compulsory
8. Sanitise your hands on the way in

If you have mobility issues, please make yourselves known to the Stewards immediately and they will seat you in church, provided the Sixty limit has not been reached for that Mass.

Ordinations to the Diaconate and the Priesthood

Bishop Mark writes: "I am very happy to announce that Patrick Breeze, David Irwin, Humphrey O’Connor and Stephen Roberts will be ordained to the transitional Diaconate at Shrewsbury Cathedral on Saturday 25th July at 12 noon. Rev Robert Dykes will be ordained to the Priesthood at Shrewsbury Cathedral on Tuesday 4th August at 6.00 pm. Please keep these five men very much in your prayers. The guidance we have received makes clear that the number attending and taking part in these celebrations are strictly restricted to 30, making it impossible for us to extend a general invitation. However, these Ordination Masses can be accessed via livestream.”

Car Parking on Sunday Mornings

A nightmare at the best of times - and these are not the best of times. With a dozen Stewards needing to be on duty all morning, and parking up the side, please DON’T try to park at church if you are coming for one of the four Sunday Morning Masses. Blue Badges: you can park on the main road, as usual.

David Clewes RIP and Anna Roberts RIP

Two wonderful Parishioners have Gone Home to the Lord in the last fortnight. David’s Funeral is to be at St Thomas of Canterbury Church, right next door to the University, on Friday 7th August. Anna’s Funeral Service is here in St Werburgh’s on Thursday 6th August. Both are under Covid-19 Restrictions, of course, which means a maximum of thirty mourners at each. This is the responsibility of the families, who have a hard task in selecting just thirty family members and friends. So, if you are not on the official list, PLEASE DO NOT JUST TURN UP! If you do so, you are making a hard job for the family that much harder, as people will need to be turned away.

Handy Plumber in the Parish?

We have a leaky tap which probably - what do I know about it? - needs a washer replacing. Anyone able to do that without calling out the professionals?

Large Selection of Files and Folders - Free!

We’ve kindly been given a large number of excellent files and folders, ideal for any sixth former or university student. Anyone interested?

Shielding Paused: 1st August 2020

For those many, many people (2.2 million) who have, on Government advice, been shielding during this Covid-19 pandemic, it is officially "paused” on 1st August. I’m sure this has been a difficult and, in some ways, frustrating time for all of you, many here in the Parish, including our own Fr Neill. Bishop Mark has issued helpful guidelines for all clergy in this situation, but they apply to everyone who’s been shielding. I’d like to share them with you.

Concerns about coming out of shielding

This relaxation and pausing of shielding guidance will allow people who have been shielding to see more people, enjoy the summer and be more active. However, coming out of shielding is a personal decision and if you have concerns, speak to a healthcare professional. In summary:

1. Stay at home as much as possible.
2. Try to stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with when outside your home.
3. Only meet other people outdoors, in groups up to 6; try to stay 2 metres away from each other at all times.
4. Wash your hands as soon as you get home with soap and water - do this for at least 20 seconds.
5. Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water not available.
6. Wear a face covering when shopping or using public transport. This is now a government requirement. Wear a mask/face covering when outside of the home.
7. If possible, get food and medicine delivered and left outside your door.

Everyone who is currently on the shielding list in England and Northern Ireland will receive a letter outlining these new changes. People on the shielding list might be advised to shield again if there is an increase in coronavirus cases.

Getting Back to "Normal”

You’ll notice we have our first "Mini Wedding” here in St Werburgh’s, James and Mina, next Saturday afternoon. Then Sherin and Deepna follow suit a fortnight later, Sunday 16th. Lots of restrictions as you can imagine, but a welcome sign that we are getting back to the Celebration of all the Sacraments. Next will be Baptisms, once the Taskforce has done the necessary Risk Assessment.

Painting the Outside of the House

You’ll notice there’s been a delay in completing it. They’re blaming Covid-19, but that’s to blame for everything these days, isn’t it? We hope to have it finished this week, then the scaffolding can be dismantled and taken away.

FP Hols

Thanks for asking, but no, I won’t be heading off to Italy in the second half of August, as per usual. With everything starting up again here in church, it’s the wrong time to be away. Italy will still be there next year!

Photo of the Week: "Bare Ruined Choirs”

A very evocative photo of the ruined remains of Guisborough Priory in North Yorkshire. A Cistercian monastery, founded in 1119, one of the largest Monastic Houses in England, they were all closed and largely demolished at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Thanks, Syd, for sending it in. (Have you no queues to look after?) One old ruin photographed by another? (I didn’t say that).