English Martyrs ENGLISH MARTYRS PARISH Hollis St, Alvaston DE24 8QU ALVASTON & CHELLASTON

Easter Sunday “Alleluia, Alleluia” 11/12 April 2020

Mass Intentions for Easter Week: (said in private) As we approach Easter this year we find Sat 18th April – John McGauran RIP ourselves in exceptional circumstances; the cessation of public liturgical services, social Sun 19th April – People affected by Cancer distancing, no travel; a myriad of day-to-day difficulties. At the same time, we are

witnessing a tremendous outpouring of Money Matters: goodwill, steadfastness and a determined

Offertory – Palm Sunday £512.50 perseverance from the vast majority in their response to the crisis. Easter, and the For those who regularly contribute to the church via the celebration of the Sacred Triduum is normally Envelope Scheme there are a number of ways you may continue to do so: the churches busiest time; dedicated workers Drop the envelope to the Presbytery or put them aside preparing the church, the liturgies, and of each week for when the present crisis is over. course huge congregations, none of which Another option would be to set up a Direct Debit or can happen this year. However, the spiritual Standing Order – Lloyds Bank: sort code 30-92-59; preparation continues within our community – account number 01620555 – English Martyrs, Derby RCP. so that when we declare to one-another

“Happy Easter” we are expressing the certain Payments to the parish by cheque should be made payable to: English Martyrs Derby RCP hope of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and looking forward to the future,

Sanctuary Lamp brightened by Christ’s Love. Please remember to keep in your prayers all who have died and

Prayers for the Sick: Please always keep in your prayers the sick and may die from this pandemic – but as the new housebound especially William Johnson, Simon Thompson, Lynda King, Pascal Candle is illumined at the Easter Vigil, Christine Dreuitt, our prime minister Mr Boris Johnson, for all suffering look forward to a brighter time when we can all from COVID-19 and for all on our sick list. come together and celebrate the gifts of the Please pray also for Fr Slavik Hermanowicz, Hospital Chaplain at Holy Spirit in thanksgiving and peace. Nottingham, who is sick at this time. Keeping you all in my prayers, Please Pray for the repose of the souls of Larry O’Toole, Jim Murray, Father Brentnall Yuen Lam Li (Father of Canon Ka Fai) and for all who have died from COVID-19. Please also remember their families in your prayers. May 300 Lottery – Extra Numbers: Continue your 300 lottery numbers they rest in peace. for a further 6 months for £30.00. You can either pay by cheque made payable to English Martyrs Parish 300 Development Fund or by cash.

Put your name, and number if known, on the envelope and drop into the The Church is now CLOSED and will not be open again presbytery. If you are paying by standing order these payments will continue as usual. All profits to buy hymn books at both churches. for the foreseeable future SVP: For our parishioners who live alone and are sick or self-isolating, Please share this information with anyone who may not and family and friends or neighbours are unable to help you with shopping have access to the internet. or obtaining medicines, please contact the Parish Office and leave a message on 01332 574474

Father M Brentnall VF [Parish Priest] Contact: 01332 574474 Email: [email protected] or www.englishmartyrsparish.org.uk Newsletter Administration: Anne Walsh – [email protected] Hall Bookings: Frances Connolly on 01332 572286

A Reflection for Easter Sunday: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Words of Christ from the book ‘I Am With You’ by Fr John explains that, when Jesus rose from the dead, an ‘evolutionary leap’ Woolley: occurred; a new kind of life broke forth from the tomb. This new life is outside of the boundaries of that which we know and understand. ‘You have found the impermanence of the world’s supports. Although it occurred within human history, Jesus’ resurrection is also You have experienced, sadly, the goodwill, but beyond history and beyond human time. We need the help of the Holy powerlessness to help, of many. I will continue to send help Spirit, a gift or grace of revelation to truly understand. The risen Lord revealed a new humanity, set free from the corruption of sin and death. through human agencies, but I want you always to see Me as Jesus’ resurrection can only truly be grasped with eyes of faith. Today your very first resort. You can then learn to lose reliance upon we open wide our eyes of faith and let the light of the resurrection radiate earth’s temporary supports. and illuminate our lives so we may know the power of the resurrection. So often, the seeking, first, of Myself as your stability in uncertainty will avoid the need of any other agency. You are Blessed are those who believe even though they do not see. Hallelujah, Jesus then standing upon rock, and can be aware of absorbing Christ is risen today!1 strength from it. A rock-like quality then begins to emerge in

Our Father…. Ten Hail Marys…. Glory Be….. your own character. Yes, even an earthly rock can disintegrate but you have fixed A Reflection by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster your hope upon the rock of history… being, for you, what it From ‘Walk withy Me’ published by Alive Publishing has been for so many…. Unshakeable, and instantly accessible!’

Knitting for the homeless: Barbara Rush who organised the WW1 Saints for our Time: In the middle of the 14th century with the Black Knitted Scarf project has come up with another good idea: Plague sweeping across Europe, a very particular devotion emerged in ‘With many of us at now at home please support this project, publicise it the Church. A devotion which still exists in many corners through the and have a go! example of inspiring saints. ‘The ’, as they came Knit or crochet: scarves for the homeless ideally about 9” wide and 60” to be known, became a hit-squad of what it means to respond to difficult long (about 25 x 150 cm). Scarves, hats, mittens for babies / young times and many of the symptoms common to the black plague. children for those experiencing hardship. People would repeat, ‘pray for us’ for each of their intercessions, along Cannot knit or crochet? Everyone, including children, can still with Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven and Saint Joseph, helper of all in contribute by making pom-poms. These will be attached later. need; Keep your items until we can move around again and the items can be Fourteen Holy Helpers: distributed in autumn/winter. , valiant Martyr of Christ, Any colours, any stitches the choice is yours! Some supermarkets and , zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor, stores still open do have wool.’ Saint Erasmus, mighty protector of the oppressed, Veronica Morrison has balls of red wool that she is happy to deliver to Sant Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity, the doorstep in the locality of her walks for exercise. Contact on email Saint , special protector of chastity, [email protected] , mighty intercessor in dangers, Saint Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence, A Coronavirus Prayer: Saint Cyril, terror of Hell, Loving and healing , we turn to you in prayer, Saint Acacius, helpful advocate in death, confident that you are with us and with all people in every Saint Eustace, exemplar of patience in adversity, , despiser of the world, moment. We stand before you as a people of hope, trusting Saint Margaret, valiant champion of the faith, in your care and protection. May your faithful love support Saint Catharine, victorious defender of faith and purity, us and soothe the anxiety of our hearts. , mighty patroness of the dying…

Generous God, fill us with compassion and concern for Perhaps in these extraordinary times this list should be revisited. How others, young and old, that we may look after one another in would Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac respond to the these challenging days. Bring healing to those who are sick Covid-19 Crisis? What would Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and and all who work in our medical facilities. Give wisdom to Rosalie Rendu intercede on our behalf for? We have a wealth of Holy leaders in healthcare and governance that they may make the Helpers who will bring our intercessions to Christ. right decisions for the well-being of people. We pray in Some Honourable mentions: Perhaps Saint Clare of Assisi, who it was gratitude for all those in our country who will continue to work said when she was unable to take part in daily mass through illness was in the days ahead in so many fields of life for the sake of us gifted with being able to view it through the partition wall. Clare would be all. Bless them and keep them safe. O God of creation and made a patroness of television. Saint Anna Shäffer, a recent addition to life, we place ourselves in your protection. May the mantle of the Canon of Saints in 2012, whose example of reluctant acceptance of your peace enfold us this day and tomorrow. isolation would lead her to deepened faith and devotion. Saints Pope May all the saints of God, pray for us. Amen. John Paul and Teresa of Calcutta, who we will remember providing us example and reassurance in our own lifetimes. Or, Saint Luke and Saint Agatha who are known as the patrons of doctors and nurses, and many others. Pope at Urbi et orbi: Full text of his meditation: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/urbi-et-orbi-pope- coronavirus-prayer-blessing.html If you have any prayers, spiritual readings, prayer intentions etc that you would like to share with our Parish Community at this time, please email me on [email protected]