MassTimes
We have been very fortunate to celebrate Mass outside in the church grounds. This included Advent and our Christmas Day Mass, which although was very cold it was still well attended.
There will not be Mass on Thursday 31st December 2020 or Friday 1st January 2021.
Weekly Mass times are as follows:
Thursday 10am
Saturday 6pm
Sunday 10.30am
Christmas Mass Times
There will be two Masses on Christmas Eve at 4pm and 6pm. Christmas Day there will be Mass at 10.30am. There will be no Mass on 26th December. Sunday 27th December Mass will be at 10.30am.
You are reminded that the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy days of Obligation is currently suspended. If you, and your family, could attend just one Mass over this period, it would help to ensure that there is space for everyone.
As space in the Church is limited due to social distancing we will be asking you to let us know in advance which Mass you would like to attend. Please contact the Parish Office on or after Monday 14th December letting us know your name, contact number, the number of people in your household and your preferred Mass time over the Christmas period. If you can give a second choice of Mass, that too would be very helpful.
You can email parishsecretary.sacredheart@gmail.com or telephone 01892 784311. All emails and phone messages will be dealt with in date/time order and we will let you know if space is available at your preferred time by Monday 21st December.
We are putting on extra Masses to enable everyone to join us in celebrating our Saviour’s birth. However, we ask for your understanding if your first choice of Mass is not available.
NB. We plan to have Mass outside on Sunday & Christmas Day, weather permitting, so please come dressed warmly and with appropriate footwear.
Christmas Cards
Can we ask you please not to leave Christmas cards for parishioners in the Church or Annexe this year. We have to keep all surfaces clear as part of our infection control measures.
The Mayors Toy Appeal
Runs until Wednesday 16th December so there is still time if you would like to make a donation. Please see the website for details www.twmta.co.uk. Or call Karen Collins on 07748 074811.
Missio Red Boxes
Catherine Heathcote is now our parish representative for Missio. Your donations for this year need to be counted so please bring your red boxes to Church next time you come to Mass or leave them in the porch of the Priest’s Cottage if that is more convenient.
Nourish Donations
Donations of food can be left at the collection point in Ticehurst Village Store or you can make a financial donation towards local families needing help this Christmas. Please see the website www.nourishcommunityfoodbank.org.uk or call the Parish Office for details.
We find ourselves once again approaching one of our most important celebrations with the overhang of some incredibly difficult circumstances. We continue to hope and pray that you and your families are keeping safe and well at this difficult time.
You may recall that Easter fell during the first National Lockdown and at that time, given the exceptional circumstances, the Parish Finance Committee (PFC), took the unusual step of communicating directly with the Parish, regarding collections at the Easter services. It is heartbreaking to think, that eight months later and we are still trying to contend with such challenging difficulties. While we will hopefully not be in the same position of a National Lockdown at Christmas, it is very likely that not everyone will be able or free to enjoy Christmas services, in the same manner as would normally be the case.
Therefore, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind parishioners, that the offertory collection, during the Christmas services, is held as our personal offering to Father Martin, to support him and thank him for everything he does on our behalf, throughout the year.
So, for those who will sadly be unable to join in the services this Christmas, due to current restrictions, we wanted to afford you the opportunity to show your support for Fr. Martin, via an alternative route, to that of the church collection plate.
If this is something that you would like to avail of, we would ask you to consider transferring your personal gift directly into the Parish bank account marked with the reference “Father Martin”. For convenience, the Parish account details, through which you can make your Christmas gift via electronic payment, are set out below.
Thank you for your ongoing and generous support.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year,
Greg O’Higgins
Chair of the Parish Finance Committee
Account details:
Account Name: Sacred Heart Wadhurst
Account No: 11077198
Sort code: 400520
Payment Reference: Father Martin
Note:
If required, the full account name is:
Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, Sacred Heart Wadhurst.