In our gospel reading for this Sunday, Jesus recounts a series of parables describing what the Kingdom of Heaven is like: sowing seed in a field; a mustard tree; and yeast making dough rise.
In the parable of the leaven in the dough, Jesus calls us to consider how we act as yeast leavening the society in which we live. How do we show through our thoughts and actions the dignity of all people? Do we show that the worship of God is important by making time for it each week? Do we reveal to our neighbours that we believe in a creator God through our reverence for the environment? Do we seek to show God’s love by caring for the most vulnerable, especially in this time of pandemic?
Join us at St Benet’s as we grapple with and pray about these questions this Sunday.
Fr Peter
Liturgical Arrangements for Masses until further notice
The most important thing to note is that until further notice, St Benet’s can only accommodate a maximum of around 40 people according to regulations for Covid safe worship. The number of seats has been radically reduced. If therefore, you are able to come to Mass later on a Sunday to the 7.00 pm Mass, or to the Saturday evening 6.00 pm Mass, this could help make the 11.00 am Mass less busy.
When you arrive at St Benet’s, please enter through the door marked “Entrance.” You will then be asked to sanitise your hands immediately. Those coming to church with their family can sit together as a domestic bubble in clusters of four chairs. Everyone else must maintain a two metre distance from their neighbour and sit in single chairs, which have been spaced out.
The liturgy will be much simpler and shorter than usual. There will be no singing, for example, and no sharing of the peace. Communion will only be in one kind (i.e. only the Eucharistic bread and no chalice.) There will also be no refreshments after Mass.
There will be a very simplified Sunday School on offer. This will consist in children who are nursery age and above being taken outside to our garden for a story and then play time. It will not be possible for parents to join the Sunday School under any circumstances. All children must be left in the care of our trained Sunday School teachers. It will also not be possible to admit late comers to Sunday School, and there will be a cap of 15 on the total number of children we are able to take. If you intend to come to church with your children and want them to attend Sunday School, please arrive early.
At the end of Mass, you are asked not to congregate at the back of church but to leave the building immediately. If you wish to have a socially distanced conversation, please make your way to our parish garden on Ospringe Road, where we will be able to catch up with one another.
Full details of all our Covid planning and liturgical arrangements can be found here.
Notices
Online liturgies
From now on, there will just be one Sunday Mass recorded each week on a Saturday night with a homily which will be uploaded to YouTube for those who are still shielding or are uncertain about leaving their homes.
Services for the coming week
Please note that until further notice, our weekly Mass at Ash Court, Holy Hour, Rosary, and our monthly German Mass are suspended.
In place of the Ash Court Mass, there will be a Saturday evening Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00 pm. This is a Mass of Sunday celebrated the evening before as our liturgical celebration of Sunday begins. If you find it difficult to get to Mass on a Sunday morning, you can come instead on Saturday evening. Coming on a Saturday evening may also help make the 11.00 am Mass on Sunday less busy, as we can only fit 40 people in church and remain Covid safe.
Sunday 19th July 2020
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
11.00 am Sung Mass
7.00 pm Mass
Tuesday 21st July
S. Laurence of Brindisi
11.00 am Mass
Wednesday 22nd July
S. Mary Magdalen
7.30 pm Mass
Thursday 23rd July
S. Bridget of Sweden
7.30 pm Mass
Friday 24th July
S. Charbel Makhlouf
11.00 am Mass
Saturday 25th July
S. James
6.00 pm Vigil Mass of Sunday
Sunday 26th July
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
11.00 am Sung Mass
7.00 pm Mass