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UPDATE 5th JANUARY 2021
LATEST LOCKDOWN
From Friday 8th January, St Michael's church will be closed for public worship in accordance with Scottish Government restrictions which are expected to be in place until Monday 1st February.
Simply put, there will be no routine access to the daily celebration of Mass within these dates.
Funeral Masses are a significant exception to the rule, with up to 20 people allowed to attend church-based liturgies.
Access to the Sacraments of Anointing, Confession and Baptism may be arranged through contact with the parish priest.
If you have need of pastoral/spiritual care, please get in touch by phone or email
Mass via Livestream
While St Michael's does not have livestream provision, there are plenty of opportunities to follow Mass online: churchservices.tv and mcnmedia.tv offer an extensive schedule from parishes across the UK and Ireland; also, our neighbour St Patrick's has its own output, with sound and picture quality much improved from last March.
To avoid participation at Mass becoming a reality TV, gogglebox moment, try to create a little altar within the room with crucifix or icon and candles - and switch off any distractions.
Participate orally in the prayers and responses - try to avoid contributing to sidebar comment features (best to block or obscure them).
Choose a church which pays attention to the proper celebration of the liturgy, with good sound quality and a fixed camera position which focuses on the sanctuary.
If you hear any good homilies, let me know!
BISHOPS' STATEMENT
Following the First Minister’s statement that all places of worship will close from Friday 8 January until Monday 1 February 2021, Scotland’s Catholic Bishops have issued the following statement:
Recognising the dangers posed by the new faster-spreading variant of COVID-19, we note the Scottish Government’s decision to close all places of worship from Friday 8 January 2021.
The Scottish Government believes that such measures are necessary to curtail the spread of this new strain during the roll-out of the vaccine. We appreciate the difficult choices facing the Scottish Government at this time and we have shown ourselves ready both to cooperate with and to support its efforts in protecting the common good. This has included curtailing public worship in extreme circumstances and for a limited period.
However, we are also perplexed by the decision, given that the stringent measures taken since last March to ensure public safety in our churches have been effective. No evidence has been forthcoming to justify the inclusion of places of worship as sources of infection. Without such scientific evidence these restrictions will appear to Catholics to be arbitrary and unfair. Moreover, a significant number of other sectors similarly restricted last March alongside public worship – such as construction, manufacturing and elite sports - have now been left free to continue in operation.
We also note that, in England, the essential contribution of public worship to the spiritual welfare of all citizens during this crisis has now been endorsed by the decision not to close places of worship while the Scottish Government has apparently retreated from this view, causing dismay and confusion
We are very aware of the disappointment these closures will cause not only to our own Catholic community, but to many of our fellow-Christians and those of other faiths in Scotland. We wish to emphasise again the spiritual, social and psychological benefits provided by continuing public worship, and we ask for these to be taken into full account in future decisions. Public worship is a human right and is a duty humanity owes to God. More concretely, Catholics need the Eucharist and the Sacramental encounter with the LORD as necessary to their spiritual wellbeing and their ultimate salvation.
While we unequivocally share the common goal of protecting public health, we urge the Scottish Government, when the present measures are reviewed later in January, to reconsider these restrictions in the light of the above concerns.
Please click here for useful resources and
latest information on our response to Coronavirus 19
Parish Funds
To donate to the parish:
Bank: RBS
Name: St Michael's, Dumbarton
Sort code: 83 18 05
Acc no: 00255036
Name: St Michael's, Dumbarton
Sort code: 83 18 05
Acc no: 00255036
The Archdiocese has created a new facility on its webpage rcag.org.uk allowing you to donate to parish or diocesan funds. To donate to St Michael's Parish, click on the following link:
Flourish
The latest edition of Flourish can be read online at www.flourishnewspaper.co.uk
Prayer amid pandemic
Almighty and eternal God,
our refuge in every danger,
to whom we turn in our distress;
in faith we pray
look with compassion on the afflicted,
grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners,
healing to the sick, peace to the dying,
strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders
and the courage to reach out to all in love,
so that together we may give glory to your holy name.
Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
For any spiritual and pastoral support, prayer requests, contact:
Fr Vincent Toal
Tel. 01389 762709
For financial/material support, contact:
The parish St Vincent de Paul Society
Tel: 07583 372624