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Parishioners have been asking how they can make their offertory donations during this coronavirus pandemic. If you would like to donate directly to our bank account the details are as follows:

BANK

Bank: HSBC

Sortcode: 40 05 20

Account number: 61 07 71 55

Account Name: Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton St. Mary Star of the Sea Hastings

JUSTGIVING.COM

You can donate to the parish via the diocese at JustGiving.com:

https://justgiving.com/campaign/parishoffertory?fbclid=IwAR3sb4sH4XhQNCls7jzIvHB3ihJ_CYYL2P5RUQQAe6AIf0OUfB07XYYpAOA

SAVE YOUR OFFERTORY ENVELOPES

You can always save your weekly envelopes until we get back to normal.

St. Mary Star of the Sea Church – Pallottine Fathers

March 23, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement this evening the church of St. Mary Star of the Sea will remain closed as part of the effort to deal with the coronavirus. I’m sorry that this has to happen as I had hoped the church could be a quiet place of prayer and refuge during these difficult times as was the case over the past two days.

I will continue to pray and offer Mass within the church, praying for all of you, united with you in spirit and I will continue to record Mass and other forms of prayer that may help you during this time.

The following thoughts came to me during my walk tonight and I have written them in my blog:

“It is a time of spiritual fasting. In a way it’s like fasting on the absence of Jesus who once said that the time would come when the Bridegroom would be taken away from them and that would be the time to fast. It’s the absence felt by the disciples in the Upper Room that first Easter evening when they were shut away in fear and uncertainty. Though Jesus was in fact risen and alive, they did not know it, did not feel His presence until He appeared among them. Ours is a liturgical absence – for the people the absence of Jesus in the Eucharist, for me the priest it is the absence of the community of the people.”

I know that you are all concerned for my well-being during this time and I am so grateful for all the messages of support and offers of help that have come to me. The coronavirus has brought out the kindness that is in people but I did not need the virus to tell me that, because I already knew the great kindness of this Parish Community. Know that I am fine and am well used to solitude but if I need help, I will send out the word. Wishing you every blessing, protection and peace.

United in Love and Prayer,

Father Eamonn

Parish Priest

St. Mary Star of the Sea Church – Pallottine Fathers

Dear Parishioners,

In response to the coronavirus pandemic and following official advice the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have decided that at this time we must not gather for Mass or other public acts of worship in our churches. This will begin from Friday evening, 20 March 2020, until further notice and it is in order to keep each other safe, save lives and support the NHS.

I will continue to celebrate Mass in private, praying especially for the people of this parish and for all who are affected by the virus. Mass will be recorded and posted on YouTube and the parish facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmarystaroftheseahastings/

The Bishops advise that “Confessions may be heard (on request) if social distancing is observed.”

“Baptisms, First Confessions, First Holy Communion and Confirmations should also be postponed. Weddings should be deferred, or restricted to the celebrant, bride, groom and immediate family.”

“Pastoral visits should not be made to people who are self-isolating, but priests are urged to offer phone support. The sick can be anointed without physical contact, using a cotton bud for the Oil of the Sick that should be burned afterwards.”

“With great pastoral sensitivity, funeral services must be restricted to the graveside or at a crematorium. Masses in memoriam may be celebrated when congregations are allowed to gather again.”

These are difficult and uncertain times but God is with us and St. Mary Star of the Sea church will remain open daily for private prayer from 10.30am until 7.00pm. Wishing you protection, peace and every blessing in Christ.

Sincerely,

Fr. Eamonn Monson SAC

Parish Priest