Bulletin for the Solemnity of SS Peter & Paul (Sunday 28th June)

RETURN OF CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC MASS You will have heard in the media that the government has now given the go-ahead for the celebration of Mass in Churches from the 4th of July. The guidelines from the Bishops’ Conference only arrived on Friday afternoon and they are quite complicated, so we cannot start celebrating Mass in any church until we have all the necessary systems in place. Only churches that are already able to open for private prayer will be able to host the celebration of Mass. Masses will, therefore, be starting, first of all at St Michael’s.
 
THERE IS STILL NO OBLIGATION FOR PEOPLE TO ATTEND MASS ON SUNDAYS. You can choose any day of the week and the Bishops fully encourage you to continue praying the Mass by watching it online. 

If you are in the extremely vulnerable category of shielding or have received specific personal instructions from the Government not to attend religious services then you must not attend. However, parishioners who are over 70 or have underlying health conditions may now volunteer as a steward or cleaner. It is a matter for the individual to make an informed decision as to whether they apply. No one should feel pressured into doing so.

THE CHURCHES OF SS PETER & PAUL AND ST BERNADETTE will eventually open but beforehand, both will need teams of stewards and cleaners. If you are able to volunteer, please use the new volunteer form on the website, or if you do not use the internet, give your contact details to Sr Lydwin.
  
SUNDAY EVENING PRAYER AND ADORATION is suspended for the moment while we work out the new structure of the weekly timetable. It will probably return to the original time of 5.00 pm.

OPENING OF ST MICHAEL’S FOR PRIVATE PRAYER This will continue for the moment on Sunday afternoons from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm and Saturday mornings from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Please note this is only for private prayer. It is essential to wear a face-covering and it is important that if you or a member of your household or bubble are showing symptoms of Covid 19 that you do not come to church. If you do come to pray, please follow the guidance of the stewards, whose responsibility is to maintain the safety of all who are in the Church.

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION can now be celebrated but there are strict guidelines if it takes place inside a church. So for the moment, Fr Mark will be available outside St Michael’s Church next Saturday from 11.00 am - 12.00 Midday. 

KEEPING IN TOUCH If you know of anyone from the parish who simply would appreciate a chat on the phone, ask them if they are happy for you to give their details to be put on the parish database so that someone can be in touch. Then fill in the form on the website or print off the special form which is also available on the website for them to fill in and send to the parish by post. We have very few contact details for parishioners of St Bernadette’s or SS Peter & Paul’s. 

SVP support - if you or anyone you know is in need of support particularly during this pandemic please contact Sr Lydwin or David Spinks at 07544960402. 

'Free School Meal' (FSM) Children  We are having a 'drive and drop' food/toiletries collection to support FSM families during the summer holidays. A car with its boot open will be parked outside St Michael's Church for one hour EVERY Tuesday 1-2, Thursday 10-11 and Saturday 10-11. All donations will be gratefully received by The Well (Wolverhampton Food Bank). Alternatively, much-needed supplies can still be taken to the Good Shepherd Ministry via 2, Richmond Rd WV3 9HY or Food Bank via The Vicarage 21A, St Jude's Rd WV6 0EB. There is a shortage of items in CAPITAL LETTERS: UHT milk and cereal; dried food eg PASTA, RICE, PASTA and RICE SACHETS and noodles; tinned food eg CUSTARD, VEGETABLES (POTATOES, CARROTS and PEAS), meat, fish, fruit, soup; tea, coffee, sugar, biscuits; JAM, MARMALADE and CHOCOLATE SPREAD; toiletries eg TOOTHBRUSHES, soap, toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel. For further information please phone 340479. This week 166kg of food/toiletries and £10 cash have been donated to The Well. Thank you!

THE LIFE CHARITY SHOP will be reopening early in July.  In the past parishioners have given wonderful support by donating clothes, books, bric-a-brac etc that they no longer need. We will be very grateful for your help now. We will tell you soon about arrangements for you to deliver your donations or have them collected from your home. For more information please ring Rosalie 01902 330553.

MASS INTENTIONS if you would like a Mass offered for someone, please ring Fr Mark on 10902 423005

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS This is a difficult time for many people but if you are able to continue giving an offering, please consider paying directly into the parish account. Please follow the directions on our website.