St Joseph’s, Dinnington Parish Priest: Fr. Andy Tel: 01909 562664
Weekend Masses: Sunday 9.30am (Zoom); Saturday 5pm (for Sunday) in church, booking required; Maltby – Sunday 11.00am
Email: andyjgraydon@gmail.com Website: www.stjosephschurchdinnington.webs.com
EMERGENCY CONTACT: In the event of an emergency where you may specifically require the services of a priest please continue to contact either Monica Carroll (07813 920844) or Anne Marie Carroll (07481 038633) Monica and Anne Marie can also be contacted if you need help from the Support group for shopping,
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Week beginning Sunday 20th December 2020. (Year B)
The Fourth Sunday of Advent : 9.30am Mass in Church with live zoom stream
2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Psalm 88(89):2-5,27,29; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
Monday: Song of Songs 2:8-14; Psalm 32(33):11-12,20-21; Luke 1:39-45 (Peter Canisius Priest, Doctor)
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Psalm 1 Samuel 2:-4,8; Luke 1:46-56
Wednesday: Malachai 3:1-4,23-24; Psalm 24(25):4-5,8-9,10,14; Luke 1:57-66 (John of Kanty, Priest)
Christmas Eve: 5pm Christmas Vigil Mass in Church with live zoom stream (This is not a children’s Mass)
Isaiah 9;1-6; Psalm96:1-3,11-13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
The Octave of Christmas
CHRISTMAS DAY: 9.30am Mass in Church with live zoom stream
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 97(98):1-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18
BOXING DAY: FEAST OF ST STEPHEN (No Mass today)
Acts 6:8-10,&:54-59; Psalm 30(31):3-4,6,8,16-17; Matthew 10:17-22
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION: For those of us accessing Mass on line or on television, whilst we cannot physically receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we can receive Spiritual Communion. A letter form the catholic Bishops Conference reminds us that “the idea of spiritual communion is an important one to remember and reaffirm” as through it “ all are united in some way by the Holy Spirit” and they offer the following prayer for recitation:
Oh my Jesus, I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar.
I love you above all things, and I passionately desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally come spiritually into my soul.
so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen
LIGHT THE ADVENT CANDLES FOUR.
Four candles burning bright, chasing away the darkness from light,
Four candles, glowing light, The blessing of God giving new sight
Week beginning Sunday 27th December 2020. (Year B)
Sunday : THE HOLY FAMILY 9.30am Mass in Church with zoom live stream
Genesis 15:1-6,21:1-3; Psalm 127(128):1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:22-40
Monday: THE HOLY INNOCENTS
1 John 1:5-2:2; Psalm 123(124):2-5,7-8; Matthew 2:13-18
Tuesday: Colossians 1:24-29; Psalm 22(23); Luke 22:24-30 (St Thomas Becket, Bishop, Martyr)
Wednesday: 1 John 2:12-17; Psalm 95(96):7-10; Luke 2:36-40
Thursday Mass at 9am via Zoom meeting
John 2:18-21; Psalm 95(96):1-2,11-13; John 1:1-18 (St Sylvester 1, Pope)
Please see the table below with your Zoom meeting details in one handy place
Meeting ID
Passcode
Saturday Mass
December 19th at 5pm
869 9714 4156
445500
Sunday live stream Mass
December 20th at 9.30am
860 7442 3785
964572
Live stream Christmas Vigil Mass in church
December 24th at 5pm
862 5505 6711
273723
Live Stream Christmas Day Mass in Church
December 25th at 9.30am
822 1401 3699
667886
Live Stream mass in Church
December 27th at 9.30am
831 2183 3356
415031
Thursday Mass
December 31st at 9am
835 0635 5077
145762
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT CHRISTMAS MASSES ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED
NOTICES
THE POPE’S INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER: For a life of prayer. We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.
FR ANDY WRITES: In allowing churches to open for the rest of Advent and for the celebration of Christmas will help bring some comfort and joy to people’s lives, but this will still be a hugely difficult Christmas for many people. For those families who are grieving, for those who are sick, for people worried about their jobs or businesses, and those who face the prospect of being alone this Christmas, I ask for your continued prayers. Bless you, Andy
COVID-19, VACCINATION AND THE CHURCH: There has been considerable excitement recently because of the news of good progress in the production and testing of vaccines to protect against COVID-19. The excitement is perfectly understandable because of the worldwide spread of the virus and the illnesses and deaths, which have resulted. COVID-19 is a threat throughout the world and we need a worldwide solution.
There are certain moral issues, which apply around vaccines and vaccination. As far as vaccination itself is concerned the Catholic Church “strongly supports vaccination and regards Catholics as having a prima facie (all other things being equal) duty to be vaccinated, not only for the sake of their own health but also out of solidarity with others, especially the most vulnerable.” (1)
A further moral issue is raised by how the vaccines are produced. There are some of the COVID-19 vaccines which are entirely uncontroversial. But some others may have involved the use of cell lines which were originally developed from abortions performed over 50 years ago. We have a moral duty to object if new cell lines from new abortions are being used today. However, our bishops have received the assurance of the Department of Health and Social Care that “no new human foetal tissue will be used in making the (COVID) vaccine …” (2)
However, some of the researchers producing COVID vaccines may have used old cell lines. Despite reassurances, this offers us a possible moral dilemma. In accepting such a vaccine would we be condoning the original abortion? In a document published in 2017 the Pontifical Academy for Life said that “all clinically recommended vaccinations can be used with a clear conscience and that the use of such vaccines does not signify some sort of cooperation with voluntary abortion.” (3) But, in the end, it is a matter of prudent judgement of conscience.
In brief: we all have a duty to protect ourselves and others, especially against dangers as great as COVID-19. Many of the vaccines have been produced with no morally objectionable methods. Those that do, can still be accepted with a clear conscience because of the remoteness of the connection with an abortion many years ago. It is not yet clear if we will have any choice about which vaccine we will offered but “whilst many may in good conscience judge that they will accept such a vaccine, some may in good conscience judge that they will not. If the choice is made not to receive this vaccination, then the person must make other provision to mitigate the risk of harm to the life and health of others and to his or her own life and health.”(cbcew, September 2020)
References:
(1)&(2) Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: August 2020
(3) ‘Note on Italian vaccine issue’ (2017) Pontifical Academy for Life
A further document from the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales was published on 25 September 2020
DONATIONS TO CHURCH: Have you been thinking of donating to church but unsure of how to do so with the current Covid-19 restrictions? It’s pretty easy. Here’s how you can do it:
1) Set up bank transfers (highly recommended), whether it is for a one off donation or regular giving via standing order. Make it payable to:
Account name: Diocese of Hallam St. Josephs Dinnington
Bank: HSBC Bank PLC
Sort Code: 40-41-07
Account number: 81094084
Please quote your name as reference. If you want to complete a Gift Aid Declaration, please contact Adeline on 07752-230051 (mobile).
2) Cash or cheque in an envelope - please quote your name and contact number on the envelope so it can be recorded for Gift Aid (if applicable).
3) Gift Aid Numbered Envelopes and/ or loose cash– place this in the loose plate collection at Mass
Thank you so much for your continued support and it is very much appreciated. For further assistance and advice, please contact Adeline on 07752-230051.
CARING GROUP: Could anyone wanting transport to attend the Christmas Masses please get in touch with Judith Sherratt on 01909 563874.
SCHOOLS FOR BETHLEHEM APPEAL: Schools from Kent to Glasgow are supporting this year’s Schools for Bethlehem Appeal – to establish the first hospice in Bethlehem. The present restrictions have prevented schools organising Crib exhibitions etc. and the limitations imposed on those who can enter schools has meant that a very restricted appeal is only possible. To help schools support Bethlehem and the schools community a JustGiving campaign page has been set up. For those who want to help the link is: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/schoolsforbethlehem
CAFOD WORLD GIFTS: You may know that you can get gifts through CAFOD that go to help people in the third world. It’s not too late to order your World Gifts catalogues for 2020 and below is a link to the website: https://worldgifts.cafod.org.uk/products/world-gifts-christmas-catalogue-2020?_pos=1&_sid=5b9089504&_ss=r
RESTORED LIVES ONLINE Course FOR THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED: Recovering from relationship breakdown? The Restored Lives course supports and helps people to move forward from divorce and separation, or the breakdown of any serious relationship, to live a full life, free from past issues. A six session ZOOM course commences Wednesday February 3rd. 6pm - 8pm £20 including handbook (unwaged free of charge). Booking IS essential contact stym@hallam-diocese.com OR PHONE: 0114 2566407
TO OUR CATHOLIC UNIVERS AND CATHOLIC TIMES READERS IN THE PARISH: At the moment you are unable to collect your paper at Mass, but you can get it delivered direct to your home every week, POST FREE. Please go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com or call them on 0161 820 5722 and they will arrange for you. SPECIAL OFFER 3 MONTHS :-£22.00or 12 Months:- £80.00
SALVATION ARMY: We usually make donations to the Salvation Army during Advent. This year you can make a donation directly to Dinnington Salvation Army or take food to the Salvation Hall on Saturdays between 9.30-11 am or leave with Chris Parrott. Please don't leave donations in church or at Fr Andy's house. They also have a direct just giving page which is
MARY'S MEALS CHARITY: any donations to this charity are being match funded by the government, up to the 31st of January. We also support this charity.
SWINTON LOCK: A fundraiser for Rotherham for those in need is Swinton Lock. At the moment they also have a fundraising page-https://swintonlock.enthuse.com/pf/Christmas. The charity offers wide ranging help across the whole borough, including to those experiencing food poverty, and is being supported by Elizabeth, who many will know from her visits to the parish and who is herself a survivor of sexual exploitation, and has received help and support from the charity in the past.
Thank you to anyone who feels they can help out during these difficult times.
ST WILFRIDS CENTRE: St Wilfrid's Centre is selling their popular Christmas Cards online through their website. This year's card image "Looking out from the Warmth of St Wilfrid's" is taken from a painting by their Head of Centre, Ruth Moore. Cards are only £4 for a pack of 10 cards and postage for up to 10 packs is only £2.95 Please visit https://www.stwilfridscentre.org/online-shop/christmas-cards-1
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR SICK ESPECIALLY IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES: George Blow & his
Grandma, Mary Brady, Christopher Browne, Eileen Butterfield, Jim Chandler, Peggy Cummins, Gillian Gee, Brendan Handley, Robert Hume, Sophie Hughes, Ged Krotki, Kumba, Pat Luton, Isabel Main-Reade, Haylen Markillie, Franz Muller, John Parker, Kate Patterson, Tom Rutherford, Sandra Sherratt, Olive Stafford, Robert Stock, Pat Vickers, Claire Watt, Michel and Father Andy’s friend Marie.