Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton www.cliftondiocese.com Clifton Diocese (a company limited by guarantee) Registered Charity No. 1170168 www.rc-churchyeovil.org facebook@yeovilcatholic Church of the Holy Ghost, Yeovil Parish Address: 73 Higher Kingston, Yeovil, , BA21 4AR Also serving Church of St Michael, Lightgate Road, South Petherton, TA13 5AJ Chapel of Our Lady and St Augustine of Canterbury, HMS Heron Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, BA22 8HT Parish Office Email: [email protected] Parish Telephone: 01935-423549 (Parish Office Mobile 07856-989013) Served by the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales (Fransalians - MSFS) Parish Clergy: Father Jean-Patrice Coulon MSFS; Father Jose Maliekal MSFS Priests resident in the Parish: Father David O’Regan; Father Peter Clarke (Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham) Parish Administrator: Sue Chant (Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 12midday. She can be contacted via the Parish Office Mobile number: 07856-989013) Parish Safeguarding Officers: Mrs Margaret Gulliver and (Seeking Appointment). The Diocesan Safeguarding Office can be contacted at 0117-954 0993. CONFESSIONS: Available on request. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: On request. Please inform one of the clergy if you are going into hospital. If possible, please seek anointing beforehand. BAPTISMS: By appointment. Adults seeking to know more about the Catholic Faith should speak to the Parish Priest, and/or come to the Journey in Faith (RCIA) sessions. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Six months notice for weddings. HOLY ORDERS: Any man considering a vocation to the Priesthood or Permanent Diaconate should speak to one of the clergy. PARKING AT HOLY GHOST: The Car Park in the Marian Hall is controlled so that there is no improper use that does not pertain to the Parish. At this time, parking is not controlled during the times of advertised Masses. Mass and Service Times for the Week Ahead Sunday 14th March - Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday - Mothering Sunday) 9:00am Pro Populo St Michael’s 10:30am For the Mothers and Carers of our Parish Holy Ghost 6:30pm Douglas Pallett RIP (Mrs S Stirling) Holy Ghost Monday 15th March - Weekday of Lent 10:00am Private Intention (Mrs A O’Dowd) Livestream and Catherine Marron RIP (Foundation Mass) Tuesday 16th March - Weekday of Lent 10:00am In Thanksgiving (New House) (Mr and Mrs R Antony) Livestream and Dorothy Heard RIP (Foundation Mass) Wednesday 17th March - Feast of St Patrick, Bishop, Patron of Ireland 10:00am Intentions of Steven Walsh (Mr and Mrs M Novak) and Holy Ghost Intentions of Jack and Helen Murphy (Mr and Mrs M Novak) 2:30pm Stations of the Cross St Michael’s Thursday 18th March - Commemoration of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem 10:00am John and Winifred McEvoy RIP (Foundation Mass) and St Michael’s Intentions of Thomas and Smitha (Mr and Mrs Thomas Joseph) 6:00pm Adoration, Rosary, Devotions and Benediction Livestream Friday 19th March - Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary 10:00am Intentions of Kathleen Gallagher (Miss R Hawkey and Holy Ghost Miss P Histon) 6:30pm Stations of the Cross Holy Ghost 7:00pm For an end to the Pandemic Holy Ghost Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite Saturday 20th March - Weekday of Lent 10:00am Adoration until 12pm. Confessions available at front Holy Ghost door of Presbytery during this time. First Mass of Sunday 5:00pm Intentions of Margaret Mahoney (95th Birthday) (Sister Holy Ghost Joan Mahoney) Sunday 21st March - Fifth Sunday of Lent 9:00am Pro Populo St Michael’s 10.30am Intentions of Vincent Chungath (Birthday) (Mrs C Joby) Holy Ghost 6:30pm Father Sean Mason MSFS RIP Holy Ghost All services at Holy Ghost are available on livestream at https://www.churchservices.tv/yeovil. Booking is recommended for Masses: send an email to [email protected] or text the Parish Office on 07856-989013. SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH: Father Jean- Patrice writes: The Solemnity of Saint Joseph falls on Friday 19 March. Last year, his Feast was the last Mass we celebrated in our parish before the whole country went into lockdown, with churches only able to be reopened in the summer. Although the Prime Minister’s recent statement on a roadmap to recovery is a cause for optimism and hope, it should be clear that there is much that is still uncertain and so there is still much need for prayer. We have already started the Novena: the remaining days will all be at 6pm at Holy Ghost and will be open to parishioners. It is available on the livestream (but is not recorded). There are two Masses on the Feast Day: 10am in English and 7pm in Latin. Let us all pray to this holy and just man for his intercession to deliver us from this pandemic. SECOND COLLECTION NEXT SUNDAY: is for the Lord’s Larder, which acts as the Food Bank for our area. We have seen on the news that a great deal of people have been put in penury by the pandemic and are in need of help for the basic necessities. The collection is monetary, but you can also bring food items (see elsewhere in the bulletin). Most large supermarkets in Yeovil have a collection point for food items so you can also make a donation there. Our fasting in Lent often brings us monetary savings: we should not use these to enrich ourselves, but ally it with the other Lenten work of almsgiving and help those who are poor. REMEMBERING OUR FAMILIES AT EASTER: A number of parishes light candles during the eight day Christmas and Easter Octaves. We will have the opportunity this Easter at Holy Ghost. You may buy a nine-day candle which will be lit after the Easter Vigil and should remain until the Octave Day the following Sunday. It is an opportunity to remember our families whether living or deceased and commend them to Jesus, Light of the World who conquers darkness with His Resurrection. If enough families buy a candle, it will make a wonderful spectacle of light and prayer for our church. Cost is £8 (or £12 for two candles). OUR LADY’S LAMP: Father Jean-Patrice writes: We will be lighting the candle in the Chapel Lamp in the Lady Chapel for a specific intention every week. If you would like to offer an intention that can be remembered in the candle for a whole week, please make an offering of £8 (or whatever you can afford) to either of the two priests. The Weekly Intention will be printed in the Bulletin. PRAYER FOR GOD’S PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19 VIRUS: Bishop John Keenan of the Diocese of Paisley, Scotland suggests that we can spiritually protect ourselves and our world against the Coronavirus. He recommends that we pray the Protection Prayer followed by the Rosary each day until the crisis ceases. Prayer for God’s Protection against Covid-19 virus Lord, you promised: “If my people humble themselves, pray, seek me and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear and forgive their sins and restore them” … (2 Chronicles 7:14) Most Holy Trinity, in Jesus, the Only Begotten Son, You revealed Yourself as the fount of life and unfathomable source of Divine Mercy, who listens to Your People. We the people of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and our Isles, ask you to heed us amid this global pandemic of the Coronavirus that we struggle to bear. Father God we entrust ourselves into your Divine Mercy, through Our Lady, Mother of Mercy and Her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, through St. Michael and the Archangels, St. Joseph, and all our nations’ Saints and Martyrs. Merciful Jesus, hold out Your Healing Hand to rescue and safeguard us from this disease, and turn our nations and our souls to You as our Saviour. We ask this for our sick, elderly and vulnerable, for families with young children, for our destitute and those suffering poor mental health. Our Nations have forgotten You and sinned against You. We confess our sins with the Prophet Daniel: “Lord, we have sinned against you, we have acted wickedly, betrayed your commandments and turned from them. Integrity is yours; ours the look of shame because of the sins we carry. Listen to us, open Your eyes and see our plight. We do not rely on our own works but on Your mercy as we commend our humble plea to you. Lord, listen, forgive and act! For your own sake do not delay, because we, Your people, bear your name. God Our Father, all forgiving and gentle, we implore your mercy, intervention and healing. Through JESUS CHRIST our Lord in the power of the Most Precious Blood. Amen.

Visit www.rosaryonthecoast.co.uk for more details. STATIONS OF THE CROSS: are being held at both churches (Holy Ghost on Fridays at 6.30pm and St Michael’s on Wednesdays at 2.30pm), with that at the Holy Ghost being able to be followed on the livestream. A change will be that there will be no singing, and the priest will stand at the front and lead the prayers from there. ADORATION AND CONFESSIONS: As part of our extra prayer for Lent, there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Saturday from 10am to midday. Please try and come for whatever time you can spare, whether it be 15 minutes or an hour. During this time, Father Jose will be available for Confessions. Due to the COVID requirements, this will take place at the front door of the Presbytery which will therefore afford privacy and sufficient ventilation. Confessions are available in the Hall at St. Michael’s after Wednesday Stations of the Cross and Thursday Mass by request. The priests are also available for Confession by request at any time within reason. PARISH FINANCES: Please remember the financial needs of your parish. If you have been able to receive your normal salary during the lockdown, the precept to support your parish and pastors still stands, as the financial burdens of the parish still remain. The best way to support the parish is via a Standing Order. If you do not have one, and have not already passed on your contributions, please bring them as soon as you can when you attend Mass again. Thank you very much.

We remember in our prayers: The Parishes of St Nicholas of Tolentino, Easton, St Joseph, Fishponds and St Patrick, Redfield, . The Holy Father’s Intentions for March: Sacrament of Reconciliation - Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God. For the success of the visit of Pope Francis to Iraq. For the repose of the souls of our parishioners Raymond Burgess, Françoise Lane and Doreen McKenzie (funeral to be held at Holy Ghost on Monday 22 March at 12pm) who died recently. For all our mothers and those who care on this Mothering Sunday. Our Lady’s Lamp: is being offered this week for the Intentions of Sue Shackleton. Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite: Second Sunday of the month at 2.30pm. Parish Meetings: are postponed until further notice. Hire of the Marian Hall: Closed until further notice. Parish Office: Our Parish Administrator Sue Chant will be working from home. She is available on the Parish Mobile Number 07856-989013 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 12pm midday. If you have any items for the Bulletin: please send to the Parish Office by email: [email protected]. A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP Someone once said to me; if we do not dream, how can we shape the future? The seasons of Lent and Easter are an invitation to share the dream of Jesus, a dream which he called the Kingdom of God. These 40 days of Lent and 50 days of Easter are times to renew our understanding of and living by the dream of God. We do so as members of the Body of Christ because as we are reminded on Ash Wednesday, it is the whole community, young and old who enter the Lenten call to be reconciled to God and one another and to be ambassadors for Christ. As we look to the future, we need to have a dream which broadens our horizons from just looking at ourselves and our parishes and enables us to be missionary disciples. Where is our mission and how can we live it more faithfully. Change is going to happen. We can look at it positively or negatively. As Moses said to the people of his day, when they were experiencing a time of change; I set before you life and death. Choose life. (Deut. 30:19) The way ahead may not always be clear, but we believe in the promise of Jesus that he will always be with us until the end of time. In that is our hope, that the Lord walks by our side, even when like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we do not always recognise his presence. But we will recognise him at the breaking of the bread. I commend this resource for Lent and Easter as a way to dream the Kingdom of God and to shape the future of our diocese. Rt Rev Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton St Ambrose, Feast of Candlemas, February 2021 Bishop Declan invites each one of us to take time during this coming Lent to reflect on the life of our Diocese as we move forward out of the pandemic. Inspired by the writings of Pope Francis, ‘Dare to Dream’ encourages us to think about God’s invitation to each one of us to shape the future of the Church, particularly in this corner of the world. Each reflection is accompanied by a video which we encourage you to watch before engaging with the scripture offered. This resource can be used by individuals, by families or by already established on-line parish groups. As we move towards Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, an introductory session will help to orientate us for the weeks ahead. Each session has a similar framework to follow. The reflections and videos will appear on the Diocesan Website under the banner – ‘Dare to Dream’. We are encouraged to read the accompanying resource before we set out on this journey through Lent and later onwards to Eastertide. Each new video and reflection will be available on the Friday before each Sunday of Lent. Taking time during Lent will enable all of us to contribute more fully to the conversations that every deanery will be having to discern how we grow our parishes to be places of mission, serving the poor and responding out of our abundance to the needs of the local community and the wider world. The ‘Dare to Dream’ resource can be found on the Diocesan website: Dare to Dream | Clifton Diocese. O COME LET US ADORE HIM!: Father Jean-Patrice writes: Although we are currently in a national lockdown, places of worship are still allowed to open. Our bishops are sympathetic to parishes who are not able to keep the necessary regulations and so remain open. It is worth noting that the rate of infection in the district of South Somerset is much lower than many other places in our country. Parishioners are encouraged to come to Mass and to the church to pray if they are able to do so: however the Livestream offers an opportunity to join in with the worship for those who are unable to do so. If we are able to remain open, it is in large part to the generosity of volunteers to steward and clean. It will always be helpful to have extra volunteers to help. There are documents which are available on request, but it may suffice to say that the touching of surfaces should be minimised as much as possible, and should be cleaned immediately after use. Also that the movement of parishioners should be regulated so that they are kept at a safe distance from each other (excepting of course those who live in the same household). Also, at least one steward should have basic safeguarding training: they do not need to have a DBS, but they should do a simple online EduCare course (see separate article by Margaret Gulliver). Our church at Holy Ghost has been rearranged to form a side aisle. People sitting in the Lady Chapel should come to Communion first, returning in the same way, then everyone else should come to Communion down the centre aisle and return via the one-way system down the side aisle. The usual timetable is as below: please check the bulletin as weekday times may vary. Saturday 10am - Midday Adoration (Confessions available) Holy Ghost 5pm (First Mass of Sunday) Sunday 9am Mass St Michael’s 10.30am and 6.30pm Mass Holy Ghost Monday 10am Mass Livestream only Tuesday 10am Mass Livestream only Wednesday 10am Mass Holy Ghost Thursday 10am Mass St Michael’s 6pm Adoration, Rosary and Devotions Livestream only Friday 10am Mass and 7pm Mass (Latin) Holy Ghost

The Bishops have said that the Obligation to go to Mass on Sunday remains suspended. This has to be the case, as most churches cannot contain all the parishioners who normally go on Sunday. Therefore the bishops are encouraging us to go to Mass at alternative times during the week. They also recognise, that for various reasons, some parishioners cannot go to Mass at this time. So they are encouraging parishes to continue with livestreaming of Masses which we can do here. Therefore, although you can still turn up to go to Mass, it is recommended that you book a place in order to ensure you have a seat. At Holy Ghost, the pews have been rearranged so that thirteen pews are available, plus three clusters of two chairs. Since face coverings are now obligatory, we can now go to 1m+ distancing, or in other words two people from different households at the end of the same pew. So a minimum of twenty eight people can be accommodated at Mass. However, if people live in the same household (or bubble), they could share a pew with up to six people. So the maximum number of people is eighty-four (the capacity of St Michael’s is 20 individuals, or 20 households/bubbles). You can read the full guidance at: https:// www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/Guidance-Acts-of-Worship- Mass-V10-03082020.pdf. Face coverings are to be kept on for the entirety of the service: the only exception being for the reception of Holy Communion where they should be unlooped, so that the Sacred Host may be consumed in front of the minister. The minister will wear a face covering for the distribution of Holy Communion, but otherwise will not do so as long as he remains in the Sanctuary. As with shops and public transport, there are legitimate exemptions for not wearing face coverings, so we should avoid jumping to conclusions about those who are not wearing coverings. Although wearing a covering is onerous for many, we should see the wearing of one as an act of charity towards many of our parishioners who are still very nervous about coming to Mass. As face coverings are not easy to wear for a sustained length of time, weekday Masses will not have a homily. Parishioners who find the length of Mass difficult should go to weekday Masses as there is no obligation to attend Mass on Sunday (although the obligation to sanctify Sunday with prayer still remains). However, it is required to use hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the building. It is also essential to not come to church if you are showing any symptoms, such as coughing. How to book This will be done through our Parish Administrator Sue Chant, who is on flexible furlough. Please indicate which Mass you want to go to, and if you are part of a household/bubble so that you can share a pew. You can do this by sending her an email at the parish address: [email protected], or by texting her on the parish mobile phone on 07856- 989013. Sue will be working from home, and will not be available on the parish landline. Telephone booking will only be available during her working hours of Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10am and 12pm midday. Please note: At this point in time, it is not compulsory to book, but if you turn up to Mass and you have not booked and the church is full, you will be asked by the steward to wait outside. You are not permitted to enter the church if it is full, due to the social distancing guidelines. These guidelines are for the safety of everyone and must be complied with. BISHOP ON ROLE OF CATHOLIC CHURCHES DURING CURRENT LOCKDOWN: On Friday 8 January, following some questions about why our churches remain open, Bishop John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, issued the following letter explaining the position and role of our churches during the current lockdown: We are aware that questions are being asked as to why churches remain open during this National Lockdown. We are also aware that many local authorities are calling for places of worship to close. We wish to respond to these concerns. Churches are allowed to open for prayer and communal worship at this time according to the provision of the most recent national legislation and Government guidance. This decision is based on two factors: the recognition that our churches are safe, and that the service they offer is essential. The safety of our churches has been affirmed by Public Health England (PHE) in its current advice to the Government. This is publicly recognised to be the result of the great efforts made by many people in the implementation of procedures mandated by PHE and thereby establishing the necessary conditions within churches for their safe use. Our churches are making a significant contribution to the personal resilience and inner strength of people which is much needed at this time. Many are hubs from which essential support is offered especially to those most in need, extending well beyond the faith communities which use them. This includes the regular provision of food; the care of the homeless; and being a place of peace and reflection (which is safe) for many whose living conditions are very limited. This will become more appreciated as the programme of vaccination increases. The vital link between prayer and action is important to maintain this service. At this phase of the pandemic, which is causing alarm and fear, our churches will exercise their role with increased diligence to ensure continuing safety and service. Our clergy will ensure that all are aware that there is no duty or responsibility to come to church and communicate to all there is no obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. They will review, in each local area, the provision offered by the church in order to ensure that the highest standards of safety are maintained. This will include a review of the role of stewards, the provision of additional social distancing within the church, a review of cleansing routines, and consideration of the personal circumstances of the priest(s) and people. On this basis there will be a local evaluation and decision about the possible reduction in the times of opening and the frequency of communal worship. In conclusion we recognise the higher levels of fear and anxiety which the new strain of the virus has prompted and we have a very proper awareness of the care which must be exercised by everyone, under the guidance of PHE health professionals. We recognise, too, that isolation is having a profound detrimental effect on people and that the role of churches in easing that isolation in ways which are safe and supportive has been recognised as a positive and beneficial contribution to the common good. We pray for the dedicated work of the NHS and continue to provide spiritual support to staff and patients through the network of chaplains working both in the hospitals and the community.

Dear friends and fellow parishioners,

If you have any concerns regarding a Safeguarding issue, feel free to email me at our parish safeguarding email address: [email protected]

Alternatively, if you wanted to speak to me directly, I am a steward each Friday morning at 10.00am Mass.

Keep safe and well. God bless. Margaret Gulliver For more Safeguarding information you can visit: www.cliftondiocese.com/departments/safeguarding

Colliton Street – Dorchester – – DT1 1XH [email protected] – www.dorchestertrust.co.uk

COVID-19 DTCP & Colliton Street Psychotherapy Services are able to offer the following during this time of crisis. KEY WORKERS in Dorset & Somerset 6 short-term counselling sessions free of charge to all those of you who work in hospitals, health care, care homes, education, shops, essential service industries and as carers in people’s homes. It may be possible to hold these sessions face to face although mostly they are likely to be via telephone, Skype or Zoom. You can contact us via our website www.psychotherapydorset.co.uk or telephone/text 07714 330120. COVID 19 – THE LORD’S LARDER, YEOVIL: Matt Callaghan, YCST Operations Manager writes: ‘Since the 16th March 2020, The Lord's Larder has seen an unprecedented rise in demand, tripling overnight. We currently help 380 people each week, that compares with the 407 people we helped for the whole of February. We would appreciate any support you can give the food bank at this time, either with items of food or by financial donation. Food Donations: as of today’s date (Wednesday 1st April 2020) food donations are still being collected; Morrisons in Yeovil are dedicating their currently closed café to support this. Food donations can also be placed in Yeovil's main Tesco, Asda, Lord's Larder Collection Trolleys or in Waitrose Crewkerne Collection Basket. You can also still place donations in The Lord's Larder Basket located in the reception area of The Gateway Building, Postcode - BA20 1QN - (located behind the AKS Renault building next to Ninesprings Country Park) - between 10am and 2pm Monday - Friday. If you need help carrying your donations from the car, please deliver in the morning when we have our willing volunteers ready to help or phone ahead to arrange assistance for an afternoon delivery. Foods Currently in Short Supply: tinned ravioli, tins of macaroni cheese, tins of spaghetti, tins of baked beans, tins of hot dogs, tins of curry or chilli con carne, tinned potato, tinned sweetcorn, tinned peas, jars of coffee, tins of fruit, any spare food carrier bags, toothpaste and toothbrushes, dog food. Financial Donations: Money can be donated to the ‘Lord's Larder’ or ‘The Lord's Larder Community Fund, please indicate preference, please can all cheques be made out to ‘YCST’. All cash to be placed in a strong sealed envelope and marked F.A.O. - Yeovil Christian Support Trust - and delivered by hand to The Gateway To Set up Standing Orders: Yeovil Christian Support Trust Charity Account, Unity Trust Bank PLC, Birmingham, B1 2HB. Sort Code 60-83-01 Account Number 20211112 Please send completed standing orders and Gift Aid forms to: YCST, c/o The Treasurer, The Lord's Larder Office, The Gateway, Addlewell Lane, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1QN. Please remember if you are eligible for Gift Aid, please feel free to use a Gift Aid Form as it will allow us to claim gift aid from the taxman at no cost to you. Please let us know if you want to Gift Aid so that we can keep a record of what Gift Aid is being claimed. Many thanks for your continued support which is needed now more than ever before.’ SOUTH SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL: are assisting those who are in particular need: free parcels to those who are shielded, and chargeable parcels for those who are vulnerable. They are contactable by phone at 01935-462462 or: [email protected] or www.southsomerset.gov.uk. THE GLOBAL CATHOLIC MOVEMENT INVITES YOU TO “GLOBAL HEALING.”: In 2015, Pope Francis published his ground-breaking letter on the environment Laudato Si’. Since then, millions of people worldwide have joined the global movement to address the environmental crisis our world is facing. This Lent, we are inviting YOU to join us for a series of reflective evenings with inspiring speakers, prayer and discussion, using the film-based resource “Global Healing”. These engaging documentaries will inform and challenge people to respond to Pope Francis’ call to Care for Our Common Home. Suitable for all who are concerned about what is happening to our world and who want to take action. The series is six Thursday evenings from 18 February – 25 March 2021, 7.30pm – 8.30pm. To register please email: [email protected]. It is hosted by GCCM Laudato Si’ Animators in the UK. “Living our vocation to be protectors of God's handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience…Truly, much can be done!” (Laudato Si’, 217, 180) Speakers for the remaining Global Healing Lenten Series: • Thursday 18 March: Global Caring Episode 2: Graham Gordon, Head of Public Policy, CAFOD. • Thursday 25 March: Global Caring Episode 3. Speaker TBC The registration link is: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/ tJcvcOuuqzsvEtMBwz2hxBzhhvwy0hcgyoEb PREPARING FOR COP 26: Our Diocese has prepared some weekly reflections leading up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held this year of 2021. Fourth week of Lent Trust in providence; Luke 16-24 This passage begins with the man who had such a good crop he planned to build new barns to store and ends with the 'lilies of the field' in the Matthew version. This might be seen as a criticism of the culture that demands infinite growth in a finite planet. As David Attenborough said, the person who believes this is possible is either mad or an economist! Modern technology has, as the Pope says in Laudato Si, brought so many benefits and so much beauty, but has also led to our using up the resources of the planet quicker than they can be replenished. If that is where our treasure is, the planet will soon be exhausted, whereas if we live more like the lilies of the field in harmony with our surroundings and not depleting them, we will appreciate the riches, variety, and beauty of creation...Change really is possible. This is the year we need to make major change at COP26. BISHOPS ISSUE UPDATED STATEMENT ON COVID-19 AND VACCINATION: On behalf of the Bishops, the Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has issued a follow up to its September 2020 statement – COVID-19 and Vaccination (24 September 2020). +++ The development of a vaccine against COVID-19 presents an important breakthrough in protecting others as well as oneself from the virus; a virus which has not only caused a global pandemic and led to a huge loss of life but has also placed a great burden on healthcare workers and systems. Each of us has a duty to protect others from infection with its danger of serious illness, and for some, death. A vaccine is the most effective way to achieve this unless one decides to self-isolate. At present, debate concerns the use of the vaccines developed by Pfizer & BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. Some have questioned the use of the Astra Zeneca vaccine since it has been developed from cell-lines originating from the cells of an aborted foetus in 1983. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Academy of Life have expressed the view that one may in good conscience and for a grave reason receive a vaccine sourced in this way, provided that there is a sufficient moral distance between the present administration of the vaccine and the original wrongful action. In the COVID-19 pandemic, we judge that this grave reason exists and that one does not sin by receiving the vaccine. Both the Pfizer & BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have a different source since they are mRNA-based vaccines. On 2 December 2020, the Pfizer & BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK. Each Catholic must educate his or her conscience on this matter and decide what to do, also bearing in mind that a vaccine must be safe, effective, and universally available, especially to the poor of the world. Catholics may in good conscience receive any of these vaccines for the good of others and themselves. In good conscience, one may refuse a particular vaccine but continues to have a duty to protect others from infection. Right Reverend Chair, Department of Social Justice Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Father Jean-Patrice writes: There are some other sources that parishioners can consult to inform their consciences. The first is the statement from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/vatican-cdf-says-use-of-anti-covid-vaccines-morally-acceptable/ There is also the statement from the Anscombe Bioethics Centre: http://www.bioethics.org.uk/images/user/covidbriefing2.pdf Amongst other articles on the subject, there is this one: How to Object to an Abortion-Tainted COVID-19 Vaccine| National Catholic Register (ncregister.com)

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: WomansAid - National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247 The Mix – Advice for the under 25yrs. – 0808 808 4994 Advice for Male Victims of Domestic Violence - 0808 8801 0327 Childline – Deals with a vast variety of children concerns including Domestic Violence. 0800 1111 https://www.csas.uk.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Guidance-Supporting-people -who-may-be-experiencing-domestic-violence.pdf