St James is OPEN for Personal Prayer!

St James Church is now open for personal prayer three periods during the week and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar throughout these times:

Tuesdays 10.00am-12.00noon

Fridays 11.00am-1.00pm

Saturdays 4pm-6pm

We have had to re-organise the interior of the church in order both to follow the prescribed social-distancing regulations and to create an environment conducive to prayer at the same time.  Most of us are now familiar with the new way of interacting with others, especially in shops, and so some of the new procedures for being in church will not be unexpected:

1. Stewards will be supervising entry and exit to ensure that individuals not from the same household remain at least two metres in all directions from each other. This means only a very limited number of people can be allowed into the church at any one time (approximately 14).  It is important to follow the Stewards’ guidance at all times.
2. A steward will ask for your name, address and telephone number before you can enter the church proper. This forms part of the “track and trace” system to protect you and others in the event of a COVID-19 infection being discovered.  Your details will be held solely for this purpose and in accordance with data protection law.  By way of reminder, people with cold or flu-like symptoms should not come to church.
3. Hand sanitizers must be used as you enter and leave the church.
4. A one-way system is in operation. Entry is through the front door of the church and exit through the back door.  Arrows on the floor show the direction of travel, all the while observing the two metre social distancing rule.
5. The seats available for use whilst in church are marked clearly with a yellow cross.
6. The church windows (and possibly some doors) will be open to increase ventilation.
7. The toilet facilities cannot be used and have been closed off, and the kitchen is locked.
8. All books or leaflets not intended for single use have been removed from the church. You can of course bring printed materials with you when you visit for prayer, but please ensure that you take them home with you when you leave.
9. The Repository will not be available, but Mass cards, sympathy or get well cards are available between 10 and 1 on weekdays from the Parish Office.
10. It will be possible to light a votive candle, which must be lit from an already lit candle. Please wipe your hands with a disposable towel and wait at least a full minute from use of the hand sanitizer in order to ensure that the alcohol in the sanitizer has dissipated.
11. Social distancing must also be observed in the car park. Please be aware that work will be being carried out in the carpark in the coming weeks to lay a new water pipe, so extra care will need to be taken.

To have these restrictions in church will be very alien to us and perhaps be seen as an unwelcome intrusion into an area of our life which is very precious to us, but they are based on Government requirements and advice for the re-opening of churches and we have to follow them for now.  Let us remain hopeful that, some day in the not-too-distant future, we will be able to gather in church with less restrictions and be able to re-establish something of a more familiar rhythm and experience of church and parish life. Until them, let us give thanks that at least one of our churches is open for private, personal prayer.

Parish Mass Books

The sets of Mass Books are in the hall and can be collected from a steward if you visit St James during the times that it is open for private prayer.  There appear to be plenty to go around, so please let us know if you would like a set if you haven’t already done so by contacting the Parish Office. We will deliver them to you if you are unable to come to the church.  Just let us know. The books are being given away for free, to encourage you to read the Mass readings at home in preparation for listening to them being read at Mass.  Of course, if you would like to give a donation, it would be gratefully received.

Alternatively, there are various digital options to access the Mass readings on your phone, computer, tablet or e-reader. A list of some digital resources that parishioners may find useful has been added to the parish website under the Resources section.

Imaginative Contemplation of the Gospel

A handout to help us to pray with this Sunday’s Gospel using our imagination is available under the Resources section of the website. There is an opportunity to pray this Gospel together in our weekly on-line prayer group.   Contact monika.manser@btinternet.com for the Zoom access details.  All welcome.

CELEBRATE Online Conference June 2020

“Fan into a flame the gift of God which in in you” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

As there can be no in-person CELEBRATE conference this year, this event for all the family will be taking place online over the weekend of 27/28 June, starting at 10.00am on Saturday 27 June. Hear inspiring speakers, take time to retreat in prayer, get creative, join with live worship and celebrate Mass together.

All the content will be hosted on the CELEBRATE Facebook page.  You do not need a Facebook account to access the page.  You can join the conference via the link: https://www.facebook.com/Celebratecommunity/. All content will be able to be replayed if you missed it or want to watch it again.

Shopping Online and Fundraising

Due to present restrictions, many of us have been doing a lot of our shopping online.  “Easyfundraising” is a way to raise funds for the parish.  It costs nothing and, over the last few years, we have raised just short of £1000.

Not all sellers are a part of it, but whenever you shop online, go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stjamestiverton and see whether the seller is there and click on the relevant link.  Thank you to all those who use do this facility already.