PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF SOUL OF:
Liseby Bond RIP her funeral is to be arranged.
Margaret McCabe RIP Her funeral to be arranged.
Sr Rita Mifsud (Sisters of St Dorothy) RIP - died 7th Nov 2020. 89 years old, she worked for many years in the parish before retiring back to Malta.
John Gaynor RIP - died 6th Dec 2020 and his funeral was in Henfield.
Please remember them and their families in your prayers.
Churches and Lockdown 3 - what we can do...
Churches and Lockdown 3 - what we can do... Now we are in our third Lockdown we can still attend communal worship (Mass) but we must only sit with our own household or support bubble and we cannot mingle with other households before, during, or after coming to Church. It is good to be able to have the choice of coming to Mass but remember that the obligation to do so is still suspended and it is important not only to be safe but to feel safe.
Church opening times this week
Wednesday - St Joseph's 5.30pm - 6.30pm Private Prayer
Public Mass
Friday - St Joseph’s Church 10,00am Mass
Saturday - St Joseph’s Church 5.30pm
Sunday - Holy Family Church 9.00am
St Joseph's Church 11.00am
St Teresa’s Church 5.30pm
Please be mindful that the numbers are limited due to Government guidelines and that at both St Joseph's and Holy Family we can overspill into the halls, so Mass at those Churches can accommodate more people.
Bishop John Sherrington, an auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, has issued a letter explaining the position and role of our churches during the current lockdown, mindful that this decision to be open is based on two factors: the recognition that our churches are safe, and that the service they offer is essential. For the full letter see: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/bishop-on-role-of-catholic-churches-during-current-lockdown/
Christmas Crib we continue to leave the Crib scene until February 2nd which is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas), you may like to do the same in your homes as that reminder that God is truly with us, a message of hope and comfort particularly for our times.
Those entering are asked not to touch or physically venerate statues or other sacred objects.
Toilets and washing/baby changing facilities are to remain closed
Details of live-streamed Masses in the Diocese can be found
here
With very many thanks to our own volunteer stewards, who enable our public Mass and private prayer to continue in whatever way we can during this unfolding pandemic. It is thanks to these parishioners that we have been able to open the churches and offer, as best we can, a safe and welcoming place to be in the Lord’s presence for any who wish to come for private prayer, or gather for the Mass. Even if fewer people and families may come at present, the welcome of open doors and lights shining can be in itself a witness and beacon of hope for those who pass by.
Volunteers are needed - more have offered, more are needed! We need stewards for the Masses and cleaners for the equally important cleaning teams. You must not be from those instructed to shield themselves, nor from those under 18 or over 70 years old, or from groups considered more vulnerable to coronavirus. We need minsters of word and Eucharist, again those considerable vulnerable should abstain from offering at this time. We also need volunteers to help around the grounds with general maintenance. If you can help in any way please email the parish office with the subject line ‘Volunteer’. Pass the word around and encourage others to come forward as well. Thank you.
Track & Trace. In order to comply with Track & Trace, we have provided a QR Code in all churches, if you have a smart phone please scan the code, on entry, or please give your contact details to a Stewart. Details will be kept for 21 days. Thank you for your co-operation.
Telephone support If you would like to have a chat with someone for whatever reason in the parish, or would like to offer a bit of support at this time, please contact the parish office to share your details
Telephone Support of the bereaved, members of our Deanery Bereavement Team are able to offer you the time and space to talk If you have been recently bereaved. In the current circumstances, face to face visiting may prove difficult, but a chat on the phone is simple to arrange. If you would like to talk to someone then please contact the Parish office and this can be arranged.
School Admission Signings - St Joseph’s School (SIF) has issued a statement as follows: For parents who wish to apply for admission for their child under the Catholic Faith Criteria 1-6, please send your completed SIF (leaving only the Priest's section unfilled) directly to the school before 15th January, and Fr Tony will then view these applications and support as applicable. You will NOT need a face-to-face meeting with Fr Tony this year. For applications outside of the Parish of the Nativity of the Lord, please check with your Parish Priest for details of their local arrangements
Sacramental programmes - 2021 We hope to have news soon of how we can prepare our Year3+ children for their First Holy Communion and our year 10+ teenagers for their Confirmation - watch this space.
The parish Justice & Peace group have a new newsletter on the parish website. Do read it for news of local homelessness the Medaille Trust, Cafod and the climate, as well as those detained at Gatwick. For further details of the J&P group which meets monthly online please contact the parish office.
The Easter Project in Merstham has not been able to function since last March. We are very pleased therefore that it has been agreed by those involved that the Mix Cafe (https://mersthammix.org.uk/) will resume provision of a hot meal at midday on Mondays, free of charge, to people who are unemployed, homeless, vulnerable, lonely or identified and referred by local support agencies. There will be a sign-up system in place. All Covid rules will be adhered to, which might mean delivery of meals in the short term. Eventually, it is hoped that volunteers can join the venture in its new form and resume the valuable personal touch that has been the essence of the Easter project for eight years. Sincere thanks to all who have volunteered, donated or supported the Easter Project.
The 50/50 Club is a fundraising opportunity in the parish with a bit of fun! For an annual subscription of £12 per tick-et, 50% of the total income goes to support the parish and 50% is given in 10 monthly prizes and two larger bonus prizes for June and December with the winning numbers drawn at random by computer. The more tickets sold the bigger the prize money! If you would like to join the scheme or would like more information contact the parish office or email [email protected] This month’s prize winners are numbers 82 and 37, each winning £50 !
Parish Online Zoom group There is a small group of parishioners who meet via Zoom each week on a Sunday evening at 6pm for about 40mins to share the Gospel for that week, prayer requests and a song / hymn. We are keen to welcome anyone and if you are interested, please get in touch via the parish office.
Bishop Richard’s Refugee Crisis Newsletter: The latest copy of the Newsletter is now available and can be found under Latest Publications section of the diocesan website https://abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/news
Coming soon – Invited (A diocesan wide mission) God loves you. He has great plans for you. He wants to accompany you through all the highs and lows of your life. There will soon be an opportunity for you to explore all this and more as we journey together as a Diocese through a season of mission. Visit www.abdiocese.org.uk/invited to find out more.
St Joseph's Reigate 17th Scouts like all of us have had a challenging few months but have worked well to continue both ‘actually’ when allowed, and ‘virtually’, always in an engaging and fun way for our youngsters. Covid has impacted on numbers and revenue but a key feature moving into 2021 is, unsurprisingly, resilience. At times of adversity the young people and adults keep smiling, find new ways of doing things and continue to enjoy Scouting! They are always looking for more help and it is extremely rewarding. For more details see: www.17threigate.org or email: [email protected]
The Winter Night Shelter is not able to run this year due to Covid restrictions but the drop in centre is still running and is in need of volunteers. For more information please contact 01737 886997 or [email protected]
The Catechism of the Catholic Church How can you deepen your Catholic faith without going on a course or sitting down and reading the whole book from cover to cover? The answer is that each week we are publishing short extract summaries from the Catechism of the Catholic Church which have been thematically arranged in bite-size chunks that take no more than 10 minutes to read. Teach yourself and deepen your faith: click here to take you to our feature page.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO MARRY Congratulations! For those of you considering marriage please be aware that Bishop Richard asks that you contact the parish at least 12 months beforehand, in order to begin the appropriate preparation and complete the required paperwork. Thank you.
DO YOU SHOP ONLINE? AND WISH TO HELP PNL? If you shop online at no cost to you a small donation can be made to the parish for each purchase you make! All you need do is enter your details by going to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pnl and clicking ‘Support us for free’. Then, when shopping online, you will be asked if you want to claim a donation for PNL. Click ‘Claim Donation’ and a small percentage of what you spend will be sent to our Parish Development Fund. So, please get clicking. Thank you.
VINCENTIAN VOLUNTEER Aged 18-35 with a year to spare to live in a faith-filled community and make a difference serving the needy in our society? Then visit www.vincentianvolunteers.org.uk
