Category: Coronavirus response

A People who Hope in Christ

Fr Matthew Jarvis

A Message from the Metropolitan Archbishops of the Catholic Church in England and Wales

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The radiance of the risen Lord shines upon us. At a time when so many shadows are cast into our lives, and upon our world, the light of the resurrection shines forever to renew and restore our hope. In the words of our Holy Father, Pope Francis: ‘In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by our side.’ (27 March 2020)

[please click the link below to read the full message]

A People who Hope in Christ

Covid-19 Pastoral Plan and Message

Fr Matthew Jarvis

Fr David has given a pastoral message today:

Covid-19 Pastoral Message

Faced with the pastoral challenges of the 2020 Covid-19 crisis, members of our Holy Cross Family met on Zoom to discuss what we have been doing and how we could enhance and develop our apostolate in response to the emergency situation. Rooted in our Dominican tradition, we build our responses on the four pillars of Dominican life – prayer, study, community, and mission. See the 2-page document here:

202004_covid19_pastoralplan

Our mission is one of hope in these times. Let’s ask the Lord and His Blessed Mother to be close to each one of us and help us to see the way forward:

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

Scripture Study continues during lockdown

Fr Matthew Jarvis

We are managing to continue studying the Scriptures together online, even though we cannot meet up at Holy Cross!

We meet on Tuesdays, 7.45-9pm, through the online platform Crowdcast.

Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church

*** TO JOIN UPCOMING EVENTS YOU JUST NEED TO FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW:

Tuesday 21st July, 7.45pm
Acts 12 – Peter’s miraculous escape – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-12-peters 

In our Scripture study sessions from Holy Cross Priory, we are exploring the Acts of the Apostles, looking at how the Church was formed around the Risen Christ and sent out after his Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. How are we sent today in that same Spirit to our 21st-century society?

There will be input from Fr Matthew with time for discussion and questions.

Please have a Bible to hand, though you can also follow just by listening. If you make sure your microphone and camera are working, you’ll be able to make your own contributions. It will also be possible to ask questions, respond to polls, and chat in the sidebar.

The session will last one hour.

You can also subscribe to Fr Matthew’s channel on Crowdcast for updates about future sessions.

Hope you can join us!

Previous sessions on Acts:

Tuesday 12th May, 7.45pm – Chapter 1 – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/iileexrc

Tuesday 26th May, 7.45pm – Acts 2 – The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-2–the-holy-spirit

Tuesday 2nd June, 7.45pm – Acts 3 – Peter heals and preaches – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-3—peter-heals-and 

Tuesday 9th June, 7.45pm – Acts 4 & 5 – Apostles on trial – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-4–5–apostles-on

Tuesday 16th June, 7.45pm – Acts 4 & 5 – Money and possessions – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-4–5–money-and

Tuesday 23rd June, 7.45pm – Acts 6 & 7 – Stephen the Protomartyr – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-6–7–stephen-the

Tuesday 30th June, 7.45pm – Acts 8 – The Adventures of Deacon Philip – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-8–the-adventures

Tuesday 7th July, 7.45pm – Acts 9 – The Conversion of St Paul – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-9—the-conversion

Wednesday 15th July, 7.45pm – Acts 10 & 11 – Cornelius the first Gentile convert – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acts-10–11-cornelius

 

Previous sessions on Saint Paul:

Coronavirus: update on 5 April 2020

Fr Matthew Jarvis

CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC – A DEVELOPING SITUATION

The Conference of Bishops (CBCEW) has now suspended the public celebration of Masses and other services with a congregation. We are now celebrating our Masses behind closed doors, and broadcasting them on our Facebook Page. Please visit Holy Cross Priory Leicester (Dominicans) https://www.facebook.com/holycrossleicester/

CORONAVIRUS – WHAT ARE WE DOING AT HOLY CROSS?

Our church is closed to the public, Masses are celebrated without congregations present, and all Masses are livestreamed at the usual times -please see our facebook – https://www.facebook.com/holycrossleicester/  The Faithful are asked to make a spiritual communion during Mass, formulae for which are provided

In the meantime, the following things will remain in place:

  • The Dominican Fathers continue to offer pastoral care of the dying, and chaplaincy support to the LRI and other hospitals, in collaboration with the arrangements made by the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust.
  • Marriages and baptisms are suspended at this time, except in extreme emergencies, funerals are subject to guidance and can be discussed with us by email leicester@english.op.org – this is by far the best way to contact us. We are gradually catching up with everyone by phone, but please be aware we are dealing with an extraordinary number of calls
  • Our Facebook page is the principal vehicle for communication at present.

 

CORONAVIRUS – KEEPING IN TOUCH – USE FACEBOOK PLEASE!!

Now that public worship has been suspended we would hope to broadcast Masses and our community prayer via our Facebook page. We would encourage everyone to sign up to Facebook (even if you don’t usually approve!) and to “like” our page, Holy Cross Priory Leicester (Dominicans). https://www.facebook.com/holycrossleicester/ Please ask us if you need assistance with this! But this is how we are keeping in touch now that we are in a ‘lockdown’ scenario.

MOST IMPORTANTLY  – CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER

As cases increase and anxiety rises, it is more likely that the more vulnerable members of our faith community may experience symptoms and have to self-isolate. This is especially the case for the elderly and for students, and also for those who might be outside this category, but living alone for whatever reason. Please let us know at the Priory if it becomes necessary for you to self-isolate, so that we can keep in touch and provide assistance as and when appropriate and necessary. Please also be ready if possible to offer assistance, in a safe and appropriate way, to anyone who might require our assistance. Keep an eye on our facebook presence and also communicate with us as necessary. We are in touch with the local organisations that are keeping things afloat during the pandemic. Please do get in touch and don’t try to manage things yourself.

Coping with illness: personal reflections from Fr Isidore

Fr Matthew Jarvis

Fr Isidore, of the Holy Cross community, had to be moved to a nursing home just over a year ago and has been writing reflections on coping with illness, the loss of independence, and the problem of suffering. Previously he had written a book with his fellow Dominican priest and twin brother Peter on the Works of Mercy, and this new project is the other side of that coin: learning how to receive care, rather than give it.

Most of these reflections have been shared already through Facebook, and now Fr Isidore has collected them in this 36-page pamphlet called ‘Coping with illness: a personal approach’. Towards the end he talks about using his bed as his pulpit!

You can download the PDF below to read these reflections. Please consider sharing them with anyone coping with illness, who you think might benefit from his words. Especially at this time, as we go through this Coronavirus crisis, we hope Isidore’s preaching will bring some comfort and meaning to many who are suffering and isolated.

Links:

Click the link below for the electronic copy (PDF), which may be printed in A4 or A5 paper size:

You can also order a copy of the Works of Mercy book through the online store here for just £3.

Coronavirus – what are we doing at Holy Cross?

Fr Matthew Jarvis

CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC – A DEVELOPING SITUATION

The Conference of Bishops (CBCEW) has prepared comprehensive advice about precautions and procedures in this ever-changing situation. We are following the directives of CBCEW, which follows on the advice from Her Majesty’s Government. This advice is subject to constant revision, relying on a national strategy.

CORONAVIRUS – WHAT ARE WE DOING AT HOLY CROSS?

The main thing to note is that we are following the up-to-date statutory advice, and not acting on privately held opinions, professional or otherwise. To that end, the principal restrictive measures we have in place are as follows:

  • Communion is distributed under one kind only and on the palm of the hand; communicants who are uncomfortable with this are asked to make a spiritual communion, formulae for which are provided;
  • The Sign of Peace at Mass is suspended indefinitely;
  • All “extra-curricular” pastoral gatherings are suspended indefinitely – so this means no social time after Mass and all other such events.

In the meantime, the following things will remain in place:

  • The regular schedule of Mass and Confession continues for now;
  • Pastoral visiting of the sick who are not self-isolating or suffering from contagious disease;
  • Pastoral care of the dying under any circumstance.
  • Provision for other ordinary sacramental support that falls within the guidelines, such as baptisms, marriages, funerals etc.

Please note that we are continuing to receive updates as the circumstances change, and we will do whatever we can to keep you informed of developments.

CORONAVIRUS – KEEPING IN TOUCH – USE FACEBOOK PLEASE!!

It may well be the case in the coming weeks that we are asked to suspend our Masses and services entirely. In this scenario, we would hope to broadcast Masses and our community prayer via our Facebook page. We would encourage everyone to sign up to Facebook (even if you don’t usually approve!) and to “like” our page, Holy Cross Priory Leicester (Dominicans). Please ask us if you need assistance with this! But this is how we will keep in touch should we arrive at a ‘lockdown’ scenario.

MOST IMPORTANTLY  – CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER

As cases increase and anxiety rises, it is more likely that the more vulnerable members of our faith community may experience symptoms and have to self-isolate. This is especially the case for the elderly and for students, and also for those who might be outside this category, but living alone for whatever reason. Please let us know at the Priory if it becomes necessary for you to self-isolate, so that we can keep in touch and provide assistance as and when appropriate and necessary. Please also be ready if possible to offer assistance, in a safe and appropriate way, to anyone who might require our assistance. Keep an eye on our facebook presence and also communicate with us as necessary.