News for Sunday 17th January 2021

The good news is that St Benet’s remains open for public worship this Sunday 17th January. The bad news is that the heating is broken and the engineers can’t come until next week to replace a part which has perished…so if you intend to come to Mass this weekend, WRAP UP WARM!

During the current lockdown, public worship remains permitted as long as we follow strict COVID measures.  There will be an 11.00 am Mass this Sunday (17th January 2021) and next Sunday (24th January 2021).

Because the church heating is not functioning at the moment, and in light of the high rates of COVID infection in London at the moment, we will continue to suspend the daily Mass on weekdays for a further week. We will review the situation next weekend in the light of government and church advice.

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 Sunday 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 17th January 2021