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Coronavirus Update March 23, 2020

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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

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SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER

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My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

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CORONAVIRUS – SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC LITURGIES

huruma1955

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

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Pope writes Apostolic Letter on the significance of the Christmas Crib

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December 5, 2018 : Pope Francis prays in front of the nativity scene during the weekly general audience at Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

Read the Apostolic Letter here

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Updated Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist: May 2019

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St. Mary Star of the Sea Church – Pallottine Fathers

Fr. Seamus has already produced detailed guidelines which I think should basically stand with a few alterations. On some points I stand corrected and so have to reverse some of what I said at the meeting. Apologies if this is a cause of further confusion.

• Ministers on the rota for a particular Saturday evening/Sunday should come to the sacristy before Mass for a moment of prayer. We will know at that point if we have enough Ministers to cover that Mass.
• Please come to the altar at the introduction to the Our Father, as has been the practise to date.
• At the sign of peace wait for the Deacon or the Priest to bring the Peace from the altar before offering it to each other and to the servers. But there’s to be no stress if we don’t get this right. It’s a principle.
• We will use two chalices at each of the Saturday evening/Sunday Masses.
• The elderly and disabled who are not able to approach the altar should be given Communion first rather than last. This is easily achieved at the 6pm and 11.30am Masses. At the 10am Mass it may be necessary to continue the practise of a special Minister bringing Communion down to them but not out into the church porch.
• On the question of lay Ministers giving a blessing, the answer I gave at the meeting is the official answer of the Church, an answer which I am obliged to provide. However, people have come to expect a blessing. It is an expression of their faith and spiritual need. As Jesus welcomed the crowds when they approached Him, we will continue to give a simple blessing to those who are not receiving Holy Communion. If you are uncomfortable giving a blessing then, in order not to be under pressure, take one of the chalices instead of a ciborium.
• After Holy Communion we will proceed as normal. Ministers will purify the chalices and then please wait in the sanctuary for the period of silence until I begin “O Sacrament most holy…” If you wish, you may sit in the choir stall for this period.
• The Guidelines drawn up by Fr. Seamus are available on the parish website at https://stmarystarofthesea.net/2019/05/15/guidelines-for-special-ministers-of-holy-communion-fr-seamus-stapleton-sca/

If you would like a printed copy of those Guidelines let me know.

Thank you for your generous service, for the inspiring and loving ways in which you have spoken about the privilege that is ours to offer this service to Jesus and the Community of the parish. God bless you.

Fr. Eamonn Monson SAC