St. Mary’s Blackheath – Newsletter.
5, Cresswell Park, SE3 9RD
020 8852 5420 stm.blackheath@tiscali.co.uk
Due to special circumstances, the newsletter is in an unusual form this week.
The Archbishop has decided that the public celebration of Mass in the Parish Church should be suspended for the time being. He has written a pastoral letter and I have put out some copies for you to take.
I will continue to celebrate a private Mass each day and will certainly be praying for your intentions.
The Church will be open on Sunday morning from 9am to 12 noon for your private prayer.
There will be no weekday Masses.
Baptisms will be postponed for the time being. A number of Baptisms have been booked and it would be helpful if you could email me so that we can think about a later date.
With the agreement of the families, we have postponed the First Holy Communions due in May and June and possibly we will be able to re-arrange a date in September. This means that there will be no further classes until the autumn.
Some weddings have been booked – changes of dates may be possible – but if this cannot be arranged, they can take place on the original date but it is requested that the number of guests attending in the Church should be kept to a minimum.
The Sacrament of the sick is difficult – if a person is sick with the virus it is probable that they will be in hospital and can receive Sacraments from the hospital chaplain who will have the necessary protective garments.
I hope that we will not have to celebrate any funerals in the coming days – but if this should become necessary, I will do my best to help the families in every way.
On a personal note, a word of thanks to the many people who have offered practical help. For the present all is going well but it is good to know that there are many offers of help available.
It is possible that some of your friends and neighbours may need some practical help during this difficult time and I am sure that you will do all that you can to assist them.
One or two parishes are offering to stream the Mass on line – I do not have the facilities to take film the images here – but you might like to try www.churchservices.tv/eltham.
The rules are changing from day to day and please get in touch with me if you need any further guidance.
With prayers and kindest wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon.