Church Reopening
Government restrictions on public worship are being lifted from this Friday, 26th March.
We will resume the celebration of Mass again in St Michael's on Saturday evening at 5.30pm, with the Vigil Mass of Palm Sunday to mark the beginning of Holy Week.
NB There is no Mass in St Michael's on Friday 26th, although the church is open throughout the day.
HOLY WEEK LITURGIES
Palm Sunday
5.30pm (Vigil), 8am and 11am.
There will not be any procession with palms;
Palm Crosses blessed during Mass can be uplifted as you leave.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Mass at 9.30am.
Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord's Supper, 7pm. No public Night Prayer
Good Friday
Stations of the Cross, 12noon;
Solemn Commemoration of the Passion, 3pm;
Prayer before the Cross, 6.30pm.
There is no physical (ie kiss or touch) Veneration of the Cross.
Holy Saturday
Solemn Vigil of Easter, 8pm (Church only)
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection
Mass 8am and 11am.
These are the only public liturgies. Some of the liturgies will be adapted from standard rite to account for the circumstances we are living through.
As we did between July and January, we will use the hall for overspill once the available spaces in the church are filled. Existing protocols of masks, sanitising and distancing should be observed within a common-sense approach to risk management.
There is no booking system for attendance at liturgies.
SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION
St Michael's
There will be the opportunity for Confession each morning of Holy Week:
Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 11am, and on Tuesday (30th) evening from 6.30pm to 8pm
St Patrick's:
Saturday 27th March after 10am Mass, and 5pm-6.15pm.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday after 10am Mass; Thursday, Friday, Saturday after 10am Morning Prayer
Stewarding/Cleaning
If anyone wishes to assist with stewarding, please contact the parish. Otherwise, we will keep to previous arrangements.
With regards to cleaning, if anyone wishes to offer their services, feel free to assist after any Mass.
Gift Aid your Parish Offering
A huge thank you to all who have supported the parish financially over the past year through church collections, standing orders and direct debits, whether you have returned to church or not.
As early April marks the beginning of the new financial year, I would urge anyone who is paying tax on their income and contributing towards the parish to consider a Gift Aid declaration.
It makes no specific demand on your giving but ensures that what you do give is eligible for Gift Aid - allowing the parish to claim an additional 25 percent of your offering from HMRC. So, if you were to give £10 each week, the value to the parish is actually £12.50 - in the course of the year, that adds up to an extra £130.
Sadly, a few of our most loyal benefactors have died, so I appeal to a new generation - those in their 20s, 30s or 40s - to step up.
Parish Funds
To donate to the parish:
Bank: RBS
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:
Donate to St Michael's, Dumbarton
Flourish
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
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