A message for all parishioners

During this current crisis there will be no public Masses in any of the churches of Holy Trinity parish. However, strange as it may seem, I think this will be an opportunity for us to grow spiritually in different ways.

I have several suggestions to make:

• let us make time for personal prayer, on our own and maybe with our families – invoking the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth
• read the Gospels and become even more familiar with the wonderful love the Father has for us in Jesus
• the Rosary is a lovely prayer which helps us to focus on the major events in the life of Jesus, and the companionship of Mary is always so reassuring

I will be saying Mass privately at 12.00 noon each day and I invite all parishioners, insofar as possible, to stop what they are doing and join in prayer with each other – joining the mystical Body of Christ in our own homes.

Our churches will not be open at all but this can be a wonderful opportunity for us to grow in our own personal relationship with the Lord.

Please check the parish website www.holytrinityworsley.org.uk for regular updates and for links to Masses being streamed and other helpful sites.

It is also any opportunity for us to extend our pastoral care for each other:

• can we keep the foodbanks in mind – there will be an ever greater need as more families will have to stay at home. You can place your donations in the box near the back door of Christ the King presbytery.
• care for those who are housebound – arranging for food, deliveries etc. Phone calls are important too
• the SVP will reach out to their customary friends and others with offers of help – any support you can offer will be welcome
• some young people and adults  in our parish are especially vulnerable at this time, and so in case of necessity the safeguarding numbers are:

07561 181 008 (parish) and

0161 817 2206 (diocese)

At this time, as we learn to depend on each other even more, let us take time to listen to each other and give thanks for all the blessings we share – and don't always recognise. Let us grow in love for each other and in compassion for the poor.

Let us entrust ourselves to the care and patronage of St Joseph, the guardian of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a man well acquainted with times of struggle and hardship.

Every blessing

Fr John