Pastoral Letter for Pentecost Sunday: 23 May 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Solemnity of Pentecost reminds us that everything which exists, every person and the whole of creation, is a gift of 'God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth'. God our loving Fathercreates and continues to give life to the world through His Word, Jesus Christ, in the power of His Holy Spirit. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church, which we celebrate at Pentecost, is not something separate from Creation. God's revelation of himself in Creation is inseparable from the revelation of his love for us in Christ and in his desire to live in us through his Holy Spirit.
God's Spirit is always and everywhere 'the Lord, the Giver of Life', and the voice of Pentecost is echoed in the voice of creation being transformed into the glorious liberty of God's children. In this liberty, as God's children, we call on the Spirit to 'renew the face of the earth', and as his children we are called, in turn, to use this liberty for the good of creation and for the good of all that brings life. Our world, God's creation, is a precious gift to us. It is our common home entrusted to each generation. But how have we used that glorious liberty? How do we honour this precious gift? Are we really demonstrating love, care and respect for our common home?
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH - TRACK AND TRACE
The QR bar code for the church is displayed on the poster which you'll find on the notice boards on either side of the main church doors as you enter Holy Family Church.
Scan it with your smart phone or mobile device to check into the NHS Track and Trace App.
The NHS Track & Trace app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
► REMEMBER TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES ◄
These procedures are the "new normal" and are there to protect everyone by making every possible effort to keep the risk of infection as low as possible.
If you do not wish to do things according to the "new normal" then you should not come to church at this time.
Changes to restrictions at Mass
With the recent easing of some restrictions, and as advised by the Bishops in consultation with Public Health England, we can make these slight changes:
We will begin to recite the longer Profession of Faith (The Nicene Creed) at Mass on Sundays once again;