WELCOME TO THE PARISH OF BLESSED EDMUND SYKES
“Please note that there is no Mass this weekend at Our Lady of Good Counsel. This is constantly under review and the Mass will be reinstated as soon as possible.”
CORONAVIRUS
STEWARDS:
Thank you to the new people who have volunteered to be stewards at St Nicholas.
We still need more people to act as Stewards at both St Nicholas and Our Lady of Good Counsel. If we are unable to guarantee the Covid Security of any Masses, then the Mass will regrettably have to be suspended.
So please consider acting as a Steward, the greater the number of stewards the more Masses we will have. the work is simple yet rewarding.
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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19
You will be aware that the new variant of coronavirus (Covid-19) is up to 60% more transmissible than the original virus and is prevalent throughout our Diocese, with 70% of all new positive cases of coronavirus resulting from it. We cannot and must not relax any of the safety measures in place; remaining vigilant in this regard is critical to the legal exemptions
our churches have been given to provide spiritual comfort and wellbeing for people in this time of crisis. To ensure we keep our churches as Covid-19 Secure as possible and reduce the risk of infection to everyone, we have been instructed to review our risk assessments and processes, especially the following: HANDS – FACE – SPACE – FRESH AIR
• Hand Sanitisation: remember the importance of hand hygiene, hand sanitiser is available and to be used on entering and leaving the Church.
• Face Coverings: are compulsory by law in churches. There are a limited number of valid medical exemptions, and individuals who do not need to wear a face-covering are required to make their circumstances known when asked.
• Social Distancing: Everyone must abide by social distancing advice and wherever possible keep 2 metres apart. No one is to mingle with anyone who is not a member of their household or support bubble, either within or outside the church. This requires people to leave promptly at the end of the service.
• Observe the seating areas which are clearly identified.
• Ventilation: ventilation is provided in St Nicholas by keeping the entrance and exit doors open – please do not close the doors and do not enter if there is no steward present.
THE KEY COVID-19 SECURE PRECAUTIONS
• Mass is to be celebrated in the briefest period of time possible.
• Booking-in: please book in to ensure a place, when our capacity is reached – no more people will be admitted.
•We need to ensure that contact details of all present are recorded for 21 days. We hope in future, (if feasible) to have an NHS Test and Trace QR Code available.
• Signage: please observe the signage.
• Stewards: should not be from the clinically vulnerable category or have underlying health conditions. We need to ensure that we have sufficient stewards present for each Mass or occasion.
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CATHOLIC CARE VACANCIES:
Due to the continuing development of services within the charity there are now the following job vacancies:
Adult Learning Disability Service:
· Registered Manager - House of Light, Leeds
· Residential Care Worker + outreach - House of Light, Leeds
· Floating Support Worker- Leeds
· Support worker + Outreach – Shipley, Elland, Skipton, Todmorden and Keighley
Older People’s Service:
· Registered Manager - Extra Care Facility, Skipton For more information visit www.catholic-care.org.uk/recruitment/latest-vacancies/ or email recruitment@catholic-care.org.uk
VACANCY: Interim Deputy Head Teacher, St Malachy’s Catholic Primary School, Halifax. Fixed term to the end of the summer term 2022. Further information, copy of the full advert and job description, contact Lianne Lomas, Executive Headteacher, email: ex-head@st-malachys.calderdale.sch.uk Closing date: 12.30, Wednesday 27th January. Interviews w/c 1st February.
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DIOCESE OF LEEDS ANNUAL REVIEW 2020 is now available! Online-only this year - but as ever, highlighting the ‘good news stories’ sent to communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk from the many parishes, schools and charities which together comprise our One Diocesan Family. Visit https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/communications/ to download you
of Good Counsel. If we are unable to guarantee the Covid Security of any Masses, then the Mass will regrettably have to be suspended.
So please seriously consider acting as a Steward, the greater the number of stewards the more Masses we will have. the work is simple yet rewarding.
Parish Donations
There are different ways you can make a donation to the Parish.
You can make a donation online by clicking the following link.
Unable to go to confession?
Pope Francis has given this advice for those unable to go to confession:
“But many people today would tell me, ‘Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, because I can’t leave the house? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want him to embrace me, I want the Father’s embrace.'”
The pope said his response would be:
“Do what the Catechism (of the Catholic Church) says. It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with
God, your father, and tell him the truth. Say, ‘Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,’ and ask for pardon with all your heart.”
Make an act of contrition, the pope said, and promise God:
“‘I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, N. 1452, says:
“When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ — contrition of charity. Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.”
“As the catechism teaches,” Francis said, “you can draw near to God’s forgiveness without having a priest at hand. Think about it. This is the moment.”
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RELICS
As previously highlighted the relics of three saints have been found in St Nicholas Church.
Below are photographs of the boxes and envelopes they were discovered in. If you have any information or memories of how they came to be deposited at St Nicholas, please would you drop Fr Duane a line. At the end of the lockdown they will be placed on display within the Parish Church.
