Dear Parishioners,
It is over a month since I last had contact with you. I hope this letter finds you all well and staying safe?
My priority is yours and my own safety in this difficult time and to try and make sense of our faith in the context of our present situation. All the things we did before lockdown ie prayer life, acts of charity, corporal works of mercy and many other religious acts of prayers and devotions we can still do whilst we continue to stay safe.
However, there are many things we cannot do the way we did before Covid-19. Eucharistic Ministers bringing Holy Communion to the sick and housebound, Baptism, First Holy Communion, Faith enquiry-RCIA, Marriage Classes, Praise and Worship, Drop in Café, Choirs, Musicians, altar servers and gathering as a worshiping community. I just want to say if anyone is struggling please do not struggle alone, please come and talk to me.
I want to thank all of you who have looked out for others and supported others during lockdown and I know you will continue to support them. Please keep up that vital work of caring and sharing and watching out for each other.
I am asking you all to dig deep, into your creative box of gifts and talents and let us pull together for the Common Good of Our Parish Community we are all brothers and sisters. This is not a time for us to sit back and think, I do not need to worry about that because X, Y and Z, are doing it. No, it needs all of us to pull together, this is OUR Parish and WE need to take care of each other. If you have ideas or suggestions how we can continue to grow and deepen our faith at this testing time in the life of OUR church then make contact with me and I will point you in the right direction of what’s needed. We desperately need stewards to come forward in preparation for the opening of Our Lady’s church in October. If you are willing to join this team, please get in touch with the office.
I would like to once again thank all of you who have continued to contribute financially to support our Churches. It has been very much appreciated. As you are aware, the Parish always needs your continued support and especially at this time. Coronavirus has raised some very particular financial challenges for us. Not only do we have no plate and envelope collection, but we cannot hire out our parish hall either. We must, however, continue to pay for essentials such as the upkeep of our buildings and other ongoing costs. Of course, I realise that the current emergency is affecting many people’s income and they may not be able to continue their level of giving. If this is the case, I fully understand, and my prayers are with you. If you currently pay by standing order, this will continue as usual unless you tell your bank to vary it. Now, more than ever our parish relies on your donations to stay open and provide care and support to everyone in our community, so please consider giving generously to support our mission and ministry but only if you are in a position to do so. Thank you for your support.
Just to let you know what is happening. We have all three Academies, Saint Margaret Clitherow, Holy Cross and Our Lady’s Children’s First Holy Communion to complete. Baptisms, Memorial Masses for our beloved dead, the Rite of reception and Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation are still outstanding and hopefully we will be able to celebrate these Sacraments once our Church is open.
On a positive note we will start celebrating Holy Mass in the Church of Holy Cross Hucknall next weekend, 12th and 13th September. There will be two Masses, one on
Saturday evening at 5.00.PM
Sunday Morning 9.30.AM
The refurbishment of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour continues to progress. I will keep you informed through the parish Website, Facebook and Newsletter once I have more information for you. Parishioners keep asking about when will Holy Mass begin in the Convent Chapel, after discussions with the Abbess Mother Damian, we will not be having Mass in the Convent Chapel for a very long time due to the guidelines we need to follow of social distancing. When Our Lady’s Church opens all Masses will be said in the main Church.
I want to affirm you all in your faith. This is a testing time for us all and Jesus said where two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the mist of them. Let us never forget that Jesus is with us in all the circumstances of our lives and all he asks of us is to trust him! Remember the Image of The Divine Mercy, JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU.
With the blessings and prayers of Deacon Martyn and Our Poor Clare Sisters,
Fr John Martin
Parish Priest
Serving the Communities of Hucknall, Bestwood and Bulwell