True friendship is a gift to be treasured. Our lives are blessed and enriched by close friends who are with us in good times and bad times alike, sharing in our joys and in our sorrows. We hold our friends in our hearts. They matter to us and we want nothing but the best for them. Over the last year we have missed being able to gather with friends. We have also come to appreciate the importance of friends in our lives and have been sustained by our friendships through these challenging times.
Jesus calls us friends!!! He calls us into a relationship of friendship and love. What a gift!!! It is so encouraging to know the Lord hold us in His heart. We matter to God. He shares our joys and sorrows and wants nothing but the best for us. In friendship, the Lord asks us to live in a spirit of love of our God and of each other. This love may challenge us at times, but ultimately brings us joy and fulfillment.
It is with great joy that from Monday 10th May, we can once again gather to celebrate Mass. Masses will resume in our three Churches at the regular scheduled times. We gather together again as friends united in faith, hope and love.
Public health guidelines help us to reopen our Churches for public worship in a safe way. We are limited to a maximum attendance of 50 in our three churches. We continue to wear face coverings, sanitise our hands and maintain social distance. We do this as a mark of respect for each other. Keeping each other safe is a practical expression of the love the Gospel invites us to share.
As the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues to be lifted, it is good to remember that no one should feel obliged to come to Mass on Sunday and everyone has the option to choose a day in the week for morning Mass. The signage in the Churches will help us space out appropriately and some parishioners will support and guide us as we are entering and leaving the Church.
We will continue to stream all our Masses online www.stpappinsparish.com/webcam
Feel free to ring any of the parish offices if you have any queries. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We are really looking forward to seeing you soon and welcoming you as we gather as a community of faith. Take good care, go safely and gently.
Love one another
As I have loved you
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