Second Sunday of Easter 19 April 2020
SPECIAL NEWSLETTER IV – keeping in touch.
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER 18/19 April 2020
Catholic Parishes of:
Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Dovercourt: 01255 503383
email Harwich@dioceseofbrentwood.org
website www.harwichcatholics.org.uk
Sacred Heart and St Francis of Assisi, Frinton-on-Sea: 01255 674475
email Frinton@dioceseofbrentwood.org
website: www.frintoncatholicchurch.wordpress.com
‘Private’ Masses to be celebrated in our churches this week:
Monday (20th): (Frinton) 9.00am Sheila Wright RIP (Anne Trangmar)
Wednesday (22nd): (Frinton) 11.00am Fr Jonny Torres (Bray)
Thursday (23rd): (Frinton) 11.00am Dave and Margaret Joyce (Bridie Lawlor)
Friday (24th): (Frinton) 9.00am Oscar Koncewicz
Saturday (25th): (Frinton) 6.00pm Fr Desmond Willett (The Sisters)
Sunday (26th) (Dovercourt) 10.45am Fr Francis Clark
(I have changed this pattern to comply as best I can with Government restrictions on travelling)
In addition to these Masses, Fr Bill will continue to celebrate Mass in The Presbytery. His intentions this week are:
Mrs Cox RIP (Mary and Brian Sullivan)
Harry Smith RIP (Kulacz Family)
Tony Farry RIP (Kathleen Farry)
All Parishioners
NHS Staff, Carers, Key Workers & Volunteers
My dear Friends,
Life continues in its rather strange and quiet way during the pandemic. There are things which cause us to rejoice: the way volunteers have come forward in all communities to help the NHS, to deliver essential supplies to those who are unable to get out, and those who spend their time seeking innovative ways of keeping contact with the lonely and frightened. On Holy Thursday as I read the Gospel about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet my mind and my prayers wandered to these people who are ‘washing our feet’ during this pandemic. There are also, sadly, things that cause us pain: the number of deaths brought about by Covid-19, and the selfish and thoughtless behaviour of a sad minority. We are all learning or re-learning skills – Anne has just cut my hair (ensuring that I don’t go out for a few weeks, [only joking] it looks as good as ever it can).
The Easter Triduum speaks powerfully of the love of God. God hates sin, he nails it to the cross. God is love – when Jesus was laid in the tomb many thought that was the end, but we cannot kill love. Jesus embodied love, a love which is so powerful, a love which is always ready to break forth as it did on that first Easter Morn. This love can transform lives, can transform our world. All we have to do is invite it in.
Thank you for your Easter greetings and gifts – you are truly wonderful and thoughtful people.
May God’s Holy Spirit of love reign in us and through us and may our risen Lord bless you and keep you safe:
Fr Frank
A hymn for Easter:
We walk by faith, and not by sight: no gracious words we hear of him who spoke as none e’er spoke, but we believe him near.
The disciples said to Thomas, ‘we have seen the Lord’. But Thomas could not believe his friends. What kind of witnesses are we to the risen Christ? (AJ)
Offertory:
I know that many of you will be suffering economically as a result of the pandemic, but you may like to continue to contribute to the Church as best you can. Our parish income has gone down by many £100s each week. A simple way of doing this is to click on the appropriate link below and follow the very simple instructions. Good luck!
For Harwich & Dovercourt parishioners: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=harwich-and-dovercourt
for Frinton & Walton parishioners: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=frinton-on-sea
Sunday Smile: The parish priest of the Good Shepherd parish in the diocese of Texas, whilst asking his congregation to pray on one occasion added, “I bid you also to pray for those who are sick of this parish.”
Easter 12 April 2020
For Catholics on the Tendring Peninsula….
SPECIAL NEWSLETTER III – keeping in touch.
EASTER 11/12 April 2020
Catholic Parishes of:
Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Dovercourt: 01255 503383
email Harwich@dioceseofbrentwood.org
website www.harwichcatholics.org.uk
Sacred Heart and St Francis of Assisi, Frinton-on-Sea: 01255 674475
email Frinton@dioceseofbrentwood.org
website: www.frintoncatholicchurch.wordpress.com
‘Private’ Masses to be celebrated in our churches this week:
Holy Saturday (11th): (Frinton) 6.00pm Winifred & Hugh Cavanaugh RIP
Easter Day (12th)): (Dovercourt) 10.45am Maura Stone RIP (Paula & Michael Collins)
Monday (13th): (Frinton) 9.00am All NHS Staff & Volunteers
Wednesday (15th): (Frinton) 11.00am Marjorie Hosegood RIP
Thursday (16th): (Frinton) 11.00am Jo Bailey
Friday (17th): (Frinton) 9.00am Sean Heneghan RIP (Andy and Nuala)
Saturday (18th): (Frinton) 6.00pm Sheila Wright RIP and David Wright
Sunday (19th) (Dovercourt) 10.45am Fr Robert Wingfield-Digby
(I have changed this pattern to comply as best I can with Government instructions on travelling)
In addition to these Masses, Fr Bill will continue to celebrate Mass in The Presbytery. His intentions this week are:
11th All Parishioners
12th NHS Staff, key worker and volunteers
13th The Reader Family
15th Barbara Harrison
16th Private Intention
17th NHS Staff, key workers and volunteers
19th All Parishioners
My dear Friends,
As I write this Anne and I continue well. Thank you for your good wishes. It’s good that so much is going on in the two parishes to keep in touch. My thanks go to all those who are ‘phoning around, doing their best to maintain contact, particularly with the elderly, lonely and vulnerable; those who have set up email contact groups in both parishes; and those who photocopy newsletters etc to deliver to parishioners without internet connection. And, a special thanks to those in both parishes who offer practical help to the housebound by way of delivering food and other essentials. To access these services, should you need them, ring 0300 800 0181 if you live in the Frinton/Walton area or 07708 124661/07716 866927 if you live in the Harwich/Dovercourt area.
By the time you read this, I should have blessed Pascal Candles and holy water for both parishes – how strange not to have you with me. It is a special sorrow not to be Receiving our catechumens; Katherine & Karen (Frinton) and Tanja (Dovercourt) into the Church. We must continue to pray for them, and for each other.
Anne and I should have been setting off on a holiday this week with all the family – children & grandchildren – to celebrate her special birthday. But it is not to be, she’ll just have to put up with me instead! For all our families and friends, we pray on this, the Queen of Feasts.
May our risen Lord bless you and keep you safe:
Fr Frank
A hymn for Easter:
Christ is Alive, with joy we sing;
we celebrate our risen Lord,
Praising the glory of his name. ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
How marvellous it is to be able to sing ‘Alleluia’ once again! Surely the most expressive word in our language; though of course it is not an English word but comes from the Hebrew for ‘Praise the Lord’. Praise the Lord indeed! (AJ)
Offertory:
Converting to Standing Order Offertory Donations from Envelopes or Cash Giving: this is a well-tried method, but it would be helpful if more parishioners could use it whilst we cannot attend Mass. All you need do is contact your bank to set up a standing order. This would normally be a standard payment of a fixed amount each month. Our bank account details for both parishes are: Bank HSBC. Sort Code 40-13-22. The Account numbers are for “Catholic Church Harwich & Dovercourt” 61019767 and for “Catholic Church Frinton on Sea” 61019643. Your instructions to your bank should include some mention of either your surname or the word “Offertory”. All matters regarding this form of regular giving are kept strictly confidential. If you have any queries and are a Harwich & Dovercourt parishioner please contact Jane in the Office, if you are a Frinton parishioner, please contact Fr Frank.
Or:
You may like to make payments via the diocesan on-line donation facility. For Harwich go to:
https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=harwich-and-dovercourt
for Frinton: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=frinton-on-sea
Sunday Smile: The parish priest had been unwell and a parishioner asked his housekeeper how he was. She replied, “It’s his head you know, it’s been on and off all week.”
Palm Sunday Year A 5 April 2020
My dear Friends,
Like many of you I am still self-isolating, and, no doubt, like you, am missing social contact. It still feels strange celebrating Mass in a church with only Anne present (I am so fortunate that I have her support both in church and at home – my heart and my prayers go out to those who are totally isolated).
Like so many I am out (at a safe distance) on Thursday evenings (from 26th onwards) to applaud our NHS Staff and volunteers, the real heroes!) I join in the general cacophony by ringing the church bell for 5 minutes. Whilst rightly applauding the NHS it is also good to remember all those who are continuing to work – those in our shops and supermarkets, police, fire service, and all those who work to provide our public services and support networks.
Today is Palm Sunday and I had already bought many palms for blessing and distributing. Before the closure of churches, I had intended leaving these out for you to collect. Alas that is not now possible. We shall have to use them next year.
My thanks to all those who are doing sterling work in both parishes by keeping up contact, particularly with the lonely/elderly (by ‘phone and email) and to all those who have volunteered to help by delivering food, providing transport and other help to those who are in need in both our parishes.
Don’t forget to make use of the ‘Spiritual Communion’ material etc during Holy Week, and if you wish to follow Holy Week on line, I recommend www.Walsingham.org.uk for their excellent Livestream service.
Finally, don’t forget our parish websites.
May God bless you and keep you safe:
Fr Frank
Needing help during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Thank you to all those who delivered cards around Frinton, Walton and Kirby Cross. It was great to come back on Thursday and see the empty table.
As we begin Holy Week the hymn ‘Ride on! Ride on in majesty!’ helps us to focus on Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, cheered on by His exuberant supporters. Verses 2 & 3 point to the fact that the situation is soon to change:
Ride on! Ride on in majesty! Hark, all the tribes hosanna cry:
Thy humble beast pursues his road with palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die;
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin o’er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty! The winged squadrons of the sky
Look down with sad and wondering eyes, to see the approaching sacrifice.
Sunday Smile: A newspaper report of a local wedding said, “The bride looked stunning in an embroidered gown which fell softly to the floor.”
CORONAVIRUS
Following official advice, our Bishops have decided that WE MUST NOT GATHER FOR PUBLIC ACTS OF WORSHIP from Friday 20th March 2020.
THE CELEBRATION OF SUNDAY MASS AND WEEKDAY MASSES WILL TAKE PLACE WITHOUT A PUBLIC CONGREGATION (the times of Mass will NOT be publicised).
Mass is live-streamed from Walsingham at 12.00noon each day (www.Walsingham.org.uk) and can also be viewed on the EWTN television channel (see listings).
Fr Frank is self-isolating, but can be contacted by ‘phone (01255 674475) or by email (frinton@dioceseofbrentwood.org).
IF I CAN’T GET TO MASS
Spiritual Communion
Spiritual Communion is the heartfelt desire to receive Our Lord, even when we are unable because of the distance or for some other reason. This desire to receive him through spiritual Communion is an act of love which prolongs our thanksgiving even when we are not in the Eucharistic presence of Our Lord. The wish to live constantly in his presence can be fuelled by acts of love and desire to be united with him and is a means of drawing more deeply from the life of the Holy Spirit dwelling within our souls in the state of grace. ‘The effects of a sacrament can be received by desire. Although in such a case the sacrament is not received physically…nevertheless the actual reception of the sacrament itself brings with it fuller effect than receiving it through desire alone’ (St Thomas Aquinas). The writings of the saints reveal many formulae for making a spiritual Communion:
Acts of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are truly 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 being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
(St Alphonsus Liguori)
I wish, my Lord, to receive You with the purity, humility and devotion with which your Most Holy Mother received You, with the spirit and fervour of the saints. Come, Lord Jesus.
Give me, good Lord, a longing to be with You…give me warmth, delight and quickness in thinking upon You. And give me Your grace to long for Your holy sacraments,and specially to rejoice in the presence of Your very blessed Body, Sweet Saviour Christ, in the Holy Sacrament of the altar.
(St Thomas More)
Prayer
COVID 19 PANDEMIC PRAYER
May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember the most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those who have no place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home.
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot wrap our arms around each other,
Let us find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbours.
Amen.