Dear Parishioners,

November 30^th  is the feast day of St Andrew the Apostle, the Patron Saint of our parish.  Although we are not able to have Mass together due to the lockdown, I would like to offer a few suggestions for private prayer.

A Patron Saint is a friend and intercessor.  St Andrew cares about all the people in our parish.  We should never underestimate the power of the prayers of the Saints. Our patron Saint has been given a particular role by the Lord in caring for our parish. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask him for his help for all your intentions.  Please also remember to pray for one of these intentions on Monday and throughout the octave of his feast day.

For the young people and children of our parish.

For the sick and housebound in our parish.

For those facing hardship due to Coronavirus.

For the renewal of traditional family life.

For the renewal of the spiritual and liturgical life of our parish.

Prayer to St Andrew

Brother of Simon Peter,

you heard John the Baptist say:

“Behold the Lamb of God,”

and you chose to follow Jesus.

Leaving your nets,

you became a successful fisher of souls.

Lover of the Crucified Christ,

you too were crucified like him.

Teach us to live and suffer for Him

and to win many souls for Christ.

Amen.

From the Bishop’s Conference

The government has confirmed that collective worship can resume in churches and other places of worship, when the national lockdown expires on 2 December. This decision applies across all three tiers of COVID-19 restrictions in England.

On behalf of the Bishops, the General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Canon Christopher Thomas, commented:

“The Catholic Community in England is delighted at the Government’s decision to allow the resumption of collective worship following the national lockdown in all three tiers.

This decision reflects the importance of the right of all people to express their faith in worship, but more importantly, it is an acknowledgement of the active collaboration the church has had with public officials in developing COVID-secure protocols in our churches.

As we move forward, it is incumbent on all who come to worship God in our churches to play their part in keeping themselves and others safe by following all of the guidance that has been prepared.

Through our encounter with Christ in the Eucharist and other sacraments celebrated in the Church, the works of charity which have been expressed through Catholic charities and communities over the last nine months finds its source and goal.”

Best wishes

Father Behr

07903986646