Coronavirus (Covid-19) Updates

Fr Simon writes:

This situation is beyond what I ever imagined I might have to manage, but certain pragmatic issues are central. Please continue to pray for everyone involved and adversely affected by the pandemic. Masses will continue to be said at the usual times and for the stated intentions.

The church still needs your financial support and you may consider changing to giving by standing order or simply by making a bank transfer as is becoming more and more the norm. Our account details have been provided below.

In a strange way, the Lord may be showing us how we might miss the regular experience of his presence within the body of the church who are his people, that we might thirst for that presence anew.

Currently there are no changes to Mass times.

In the light of the additional measures announced by the government on 23rd March, all Masses will now be celebrated behind “closed doors”. The restrictions on travel mean that only the celebrant will be present, and there will be no live music.

Individual arrangements will be made for funerals − please contact the office or Fr Simon.

We hope that the church will be able to reopen before too long for at least private prayer, but in the meantime:

All our services are streamed live (follow the Live Streaming link on the left). If you need assistance to view the online video feed, please contact the Parish Tech Group − working with the SVP, we also have a small number of laptop computers we can loan out to anybody who needs them.

We have gathered a collection of other online resources which may be helpful at this time.

Message from the SVP: Are you isolated at home, or struggling in some way due the impact of Coronavirus restrictions? If you would like a friendly chat on the phone and/or need help with shopping etc, contact the SVP and we will help if we can. Call Catharine Warren on 07421 253100 or email svp@saintlaurence.org.uk.

Parishioners who usually contribute to the weekly collection in cash are encouraged to set up a standing order or to make individual payments direct to our bank account. The details are:

Sort Code:	09-01-53
Account Number:	14255486

Please consider Gift Aid for your contribution and contact Jim Scally at giftaid@saintlaurence.org.uk to arrange. If you already Gift Aid your contribution, please identify any payment by quoting your envelope number. New envelopes for use beginning Easter Sunday (12th April) are now available for collection in the porch.

The following documents give the position of the wider church:

• Letter from the Presidency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
• Liturgical advice to Bishops

The latest UK Government and NHS advice can be found on various pages starting from here:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do
• NHS Advice