Mark’s Gospel recounts this Sunday how Jesus teaches in a synagogue and drives out an evil spirit from one of the members of that congregation. His teaching is “new” and given with “authority,” we are told.
We hear echoes from Deuteronomy, set as our first reading, in which Moses promises God will raise up a prophet who will be like him, who speaks with God’s authority.
Our gospel reading this week encourages us to see Jesus as one who is invested fully with the Father’s authority to teach and make known the love that God has for us. His teaching is new, but it is also rooted in God’s ancient promises to Israel.
Food Bank – donations urgently needed!
We are getting very low indeed on food for our food bank. We urgently need donations of non-perishable goods that can be given to those in need. We also need disposable nappies in sizes 4 and 5. Drop any provisions you would like to donate off in the box at the back of church or deliver them to the vicarage front door. Many thanks indeed!
COVID and worship at St Benet’s
St Benet’s is open for public worship this Sunday with our Parish Mass at 11.00 am. The heating is on the blink again, and the engineers can’t come before next week, so wrap up warm!
In order to allow people the maximum possible space for social distancing, the daily Mass will continue to place each day at the high altar until further notice, with the congregation sitting in the chancel.
There will be no Saturday night Vigil Mass and Sunday evening Mass until further notice in order to reduce the number of services where people meet, and we will concentrate on one Sunday morning Mass at 11.00 am. Numbers of people have been very reduced at the 11.00 am Mass (frequently no more than 10-15 people) so far this year under the lock down, so it strikes me as eminently safe to gather in our large building with those sorts of numbers. The situation will be kept under constant review.
During the current lockdown, public worship remains permitted as long as we follow strict COVID measures. Nobody should feel under any pressure to come to church if you have health concerns or are worried about COVID infection rates, but if you do decide to attend the Mass, you can be assured that every possible precaution has been taken to ensure our worship is COVID secure.
We have all got used to worshipping with social distancing, a mask, and without congregational singing. It is important that we redouble our efforts to implement these measures scrupulously. I am very grateful to you all for so patiently ensuring our church remains a safe place to worship.
Please note that under the present lockdown measures, there can be no Sunday School for the next few weeks. Until now we have had outdoor activities for our children during the Mass, but even that has to stop now that the virus is spreading more quickly than before.
If you have children, they will have to remain with you during the 11.00 am service, and it is crucial that they do not run around the building, and that you keep them physically close to you at all times.
I will keep you all breast of how things develop.
Fr Peter Anthony
Services from Sunday 31st January 2021
Sunday 31st January 2021
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
11.00 am Sung Mass
Tuesday 2nd February 2021
Candlemas
11.00 am Mass
Wednesday 3rd February 2021
S. Blaise
7.30 pm Mass
Thursday 4th February 2021
Feria
7.30 pm Mass
Friday 5th February 2021
S. Agatha
11.00 am Mass
Sunday 7th February 2021
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
11.00 am Sung Mass
