Puerto del Rosario Message from Fr. Paul:
I hope that you are all keeping safe and well.
I was of course looking forward to celebrating my first Holy Week and Easter with you here in Our Lady of the Valley parish. But as we know only too well, things have changed dramatically over the last few weeks, and that will no longer be possible. We are certainly living in challenging and difficult times.
You can see from below that I am of course still celebrating Mass each day, albeit alone, which of course is so necessary at this time, and will celebrate Holy Week here in church, again alone, at the times you can see listed. It is all very different to what we are used to, and at times we may think that we are alone, but we never are, as I believe and know from my own life, as you will from yours. God is so good, even when we perhaps find it difficult to understand.
I promise to continue to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers as I celebrate Mass each day, and in my other prayers too, and ask if you could please remember me in yours.
Thank you for the many phone calls, emails and notes, asking how I am and saying that you are thinking of me. They are very much appreciated, and encourage me greatly.
The coming weeks and are no doubt going to bring difficulties and uncertainty for all of us, as we are reminded of just how fragile we are and how we need God and each other.
But again, let us remember that we are never completely alone: Christ is beside us, before us, behind us, on our right and on our left, beneath us and above us. He will never desert us. Let us stay close to him, and to one another.
Stay safe and keep well, and let us all do what is being asked of us at this difficult and challenging time.
God bless you and your families.
Bishop John will celebrate the following Holy Week Ceremonies at the Cathedral, and they can be seen live by going on the diocesan website –
Palm Sunday Mass 11am
Holy Thursday Mass 7.30pm.
Good Friday Liturgy 3pm.
Holy Saturday Vigil 8pm.
Easter Sunday Mass 11am.
Fr. Paul will be celebrating the following liturgies in St. Michael and St. John’s church, alone as presently required, at the following times:
Palm Sunday Mass 9am.
Monday Mass 9am.
Tuesday Mass 9am.
Wednesday Mass 9am.
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper 6pm.
Good Friday Stations of the Cross 10am.
Liturgy of the Passion 3pm.
Holy Saturday Vigil 6.30pm.
Easter Sunday Mass 9am.
Mass is broadcast daily from some churches in U. K. and in Ireland.
They can be viewed by going on the following websites,
Bishop John says ‘Thank you’ and you can find the link here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPzwvG2IxBM
Money Matters
Several people have been asking what have they to do about their offertory collection, should they put it through the presbytery letterbox. I would suggest that, if you wish, and are able to, then perhaps you could just put it to one side each week and then place it on the offertory basket when we are able to celebrate Mass again together. A day we all look forward to so much.