THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
15th August 2021

Dear Parishioner

Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Lady is crowned Queen of all heaven and earth and through her intercession she presents our prayers to her Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Her "yes" to the will of God changed history forever. Each one of us has our own "yes" within our lives and we should take courage to hear the voice of God. I know for me personally, it took some time until I was able to listen to what God was calling me to. Spending time at the Grotto and spending time in Adoration I was able to discern what God wanted me to do. If you are making a decision whatever this may be, present it to Our Lady and know that she will bring it to her Son. Through her powerful intercession we grow in love of our Lord Jesus.

In the Gospel we hear Mary's song of praise, The Magnificat. Her song of praise is for the glory of God and her thanksgiving to God for the blessing bestowed upon her. If you can find time, read the Gospel again and notice how Mary's song of praise can be part of our own prayer and praise of God.

Our Blessed Mother Mary knew what it was to serve, to weep and to love. Let her example and witness be upon our hearts this day and forever.

May God bless you always and may Our Lady put her mantle over you and protect you.

Fr. Michael

Notices:

RELAXATION OF COVID RESTRICTIONS AT THE CHURCH: Over the summer, we will come back to some of our 'normal' practices in church. For example:- we can now sing together, but still using a face-covering; we will be bringing back the offertory basket, but not passing the basket but the stewards coming to you.
Some of the changes will happen as the arrangement of seating is adjusted. Longer rows of chairs will be coming back and as that happens, please leave THREE CHAIRS between family groups. As rows get longer, it may be that in some rows more than two households will fit in, but in general please start at the END of a row, not in the middle, so as to make best use of seats set out. This may mean that a row is full when one group has sat in it e.g. two singles can sit one at either end of a 5-seat group, but a larger group will 'fill' that set of chairs.
When the seating layout allows, we will be able to go up to the altar step to receive Communion (in one kind-body of Christ only); we will still need to wear face-covering. PLEASE as stewards are less visible, do pay attention to SPACE around you, to avoid crowding in doorways, in queues and in front of the building. We will still be taking contact details for Test and Trace. When the seating has been rearranged, BOOKINGS will no longer be required for Sundays, but we ask that you still DO BOOK, if you can, to speed up queueing as we arrive before Mass.

Please remember to pray for:

Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese

The sick and housebound

Those who have recently died

Years Mind:
Wednesday: Canon Peter Prendegast
Thursday: Canon Vincent Hurley, Fr Andrew Hurley
Sunday: Fr George Cresley, Fr Sean Sheils

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS - TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF YEAR B

First Reading: Joshua 24:1-2,15-17,18
We will serve the Lord, for he is our God.

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:21-32
This mystery has many implications for Christ and his Church.

Gospel: John 6:60-69
Who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life.