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IMPORTANT UPDATE 18th NOVEMBER 2020
NEW RESTRICTIONS ON MASS ATTENDANCE
With the Scottish Government placing West Dunbartonshire into level 4 restrictions, we have to reduce our capacity at Mass within St Michael's from 50 to 20. Clearly, this further hinders the ease with which we can gather for public worship, especially on Sundays.
Over the next three weekends - 21/22 Nov, 28/29 Nov and 5/6 Dec - we will operate the normal Mass schedule - 5.30pm (Vigil); 8am & 11am - allowing 20 people in the church and an additional 20 in the hall, where the sound is relayed and Holy Communion distributed.
Given that we have seen a steady attendance of around 200 at the three Masses, over recent months, it is obvious that all such regulars cannot be accommodated. So, we ask for your forbearance and to bear in mind that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains suspended:
- Do not feel you are more entitled than anyone else to get in;
- Consider coming only once (or twice) over these three weeks;
- Unless St Michael's is your regular place of worship, do not travel from elsewhere to attend Mass here - this applies especially to those who are unable to book a place in their own parish;
- Do not turn up at church more than 20 minutes before Mass;
- Be aware that only pews towards the front of the church will be in use.
The capacity of 20 applies also to Baptisms and Funerals.
Weekday Mass
Again the 'Twenty's Plenty' slogan applies for Mass during the week. As we average around 30 people each day, this will not require the same level of adjustment.
However, to avoid the disappointment of being turned away, there is a sheet on which people can indicate their preferred day(s) to attend Mass. So, if there's already 20 people opted for Tuesday, go for another day! The names on the sheet are those who attend on a regular basis.
If there is a funeral in your own parish on a particular day, please don't come to St Michael's as an alternative.
Where possible, we will celebrate Funeral Masses around 12 noon, so that the 9.30am daily Mass schedule is not interrupted.
ADVENT TREE
Unfortunately, due to complications around handling and delivering goods, as well as restricted access to shops, we will not have our Advent Tree gift exchange, this year.
This has proved hugely successful in recent years, with hundreds of gifts being donated for distribution among local families and organisations at Christmas.
Acutely aware that many people are facing particular hardships, this year, we invite you to donate towards a fund which will ensure our outreach to people in need this Christmas. This will operate through the St Vincent de Paul Society, St Michael's Primary, Dalreoch Primary and Ann Ellis who oversees the Advent Tree initiative.
Monies can be placed in the designated box in the church or paid into the parish bank account (details below), marking your donation 'Advent Tree'.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
We had hoped to mark Catholic Education Week (22nd-29th Nov) with the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for 19 young people who have moved from St Michael's Primary to Our Lady & St Patrick's High, this year. However, due to reduced capacity in church, numbers attending would be severely restricted, so parents and Confirmands chose to postpone receiving the Sacrament until sometime next year - at Archbishop Tartaglia's discretion.
To support the work of Catholic education, especially through the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) and diocesan RE offices, you can donate online through the 'Donate' feature on the Archdiocese of Glasgow homepage - www.rcag.org.uk
MASS SCHEDULE
Sunday Mass
5.30pm Vigil
8am & 11am
Weekday Massses
Monday - Friday 9:30am
First Saturday
St Peregrine Prayer and Fatima Devotion 9:30am
Confession
After weekday Mass (in library room) or on request.
Please note:
- Everybody must sanitise their hands on entry - use main door (not side);
- Unless exempted, face covering should be worn;
- Please follow passkeepers for seating - filling from front and working backwards;
- Once in the pew, do not wander off (conversations can wait for outside);
- You will be asked to fill in a slip with contact details for NHS tracing purposes;
- Offertory collection will be as you leave the church after Mass.
Carmel
For the time being, there will continue to be no public access to Mass at the monastery. Requests for prayers can be made by phone or email.
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