The last few days have all had for Mass intentions the repose of the Holy Souls, in the novena sequence that will end next week and hopefully will have rescued some souls from their sentence in purgatory. The traditional feast day of the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul (who are assumed to have met their end on the same day, although in different locations outside Rome) has been moved liturgically by the bishops from Monday the 29th to tomorrow (Sunday), so we shall have a nice, smoke-filled Mass tomorrow at about 11.00, with lots of singing.
The great excitement this last week has been about the permission given by the government for houses of prayer to be opened to conducted services from early July. I have however maintained that, since we are so very near to the great parish church of Saint Mary in Derby City (which is already open for private prayer two hours daily), we shall take a position of waiting and learning, while simultaneously preparing all the requirements for opening ourselves later on. There doesn't seem to be much sense in rushing at the moment, until we are able to form an idea of how Mass will look with a very small number of people, how that type of attendance can be managed, and how many people will indeed turn up (either for prayer or Mass) while everybody is being so very prudent in their desire to gather in large numbers. It would be necessary for us to safely open the church for private prayer first before we are permitted to have public Masses.
Meanwhile, let's continue with many rosaries and many prayers. May this entire situation be quickly remedied and the church buildings returned to regular use. I'm hoping that we should open at first on weekends, and that I should at some point soon be able to visit homes once more.
What exactly does Mr Bean have to do with this?
ReplyDeleteI find your comments a little confusing- people gathering in large numbers?????
Would be lovely just to be able to pop into our church to say a prayer. Surely this could be facilitated soon?
Thank you for your comment. I understand your frustration that the church remains closed. Please note that St. Mary's is open for prayer in the City. It is rather complicated at the moment to open a church building, because of the long list of requirements. Please continue to be patient. Mr. Bean is looking at his watch, waiting; as most of us are also doing.
DeleteAs for people gathering in large numbers... we know that this is happening in some places around the country. It is a little more difficult for us to plan for something like that at the church, because of the strict regulations and the lack of volunteer-stewards. If you have a look at the list of churches in the Diocese now opened, you will realise that only a very few have.
DeleteWhat is a 'smoke filled' mass with lots of singing???????
ReplyDeleteA 'smoke-filled' Mass has lots of incense in it, offered as part of the Mass. The lots of singing, I'm afraid, is just by me, in the absence of the people and of our music group.
DeleteWhy not just say that you're using incense.
ReplyDeleteI understand the large list of requirements, I work in retail, everyone in having to learn the "new normal".
But with the time you must have , when not writing all this blog I'm sure progress could be achieved.
I expect there will be willing helpers too , if needed.
Thank you for measuring the time I must have. Please come around or call the house with suggestions; I would be pleased to receive them.
DeleteSmoke-filled is obviously refering to the Biblical passages using the term 'smoke'.
ReplyDelete