Preparing to open our Church Doors
Fr Graham • June 12, 2020
Helping us to prepare for opening Our Church
Dear Brothers and Sisters of OLQP
Open Church Doors - Questionaire
Return your Completed Questionnaire Here
Many of you will have heard recently of the Government's outline of the easing of lockdown. It is good that this includes the possible re-opening of Church buildings for private prayer. I am sure this brings a great deal of joy to many of you that we will be able to pray in front of and to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
However, the opening of our buildings is not an easy step to take as there are many tasks that need to be completed and provision made before we are given permission to open. Sadly, it is not just about opening the doors all day. So things will not be able to go back to normal yet.
We have been working hard, even before this announcement, to prepare for this moment and we have much of the PPE in place already and have been preparing the buildings for access with self-distancing in mind as well as movement around the buildings or areas we are making accessible. We still need to complete a full risk assessment and submit our intentions to the diocese for approval before Bishop Richard permits us to go ahead. So you can see, given the short timescale we have received, time is of the essence.
I am writing to inform you of this and to ask for your help.
There are TWO key conditions that must be in place before we can open. We need volunteers to STEWARD the buildings while they are open and also volunteers to CLEAN the areas that have been used. This is to ensure everyone's safety.
I enclose a volunteer questionnaire. Please can you consider if you can help in any way. If you are vulnerable or belong to the vulnerable groups that are listed then please do not volunteer. We do not want to put anyone at risk. Stewards and cleaners will be given guidelines and all the equipment and PPE they need. You will not be working alone. It will also be helpful if you can state on the form if you have a current DBS certificate either through the diocese or through your work.
Please do not return these forms to me. Please can you return them to: the appropriate venues:
Teresa (St Peter's)
Fran (Christ the King)
Sr Patrick (The Towers)
Or You can use the upload link here
Complete the contact form and attach the completed questionnaire to it before you send
I am grateful to Teresa, Fran and Sr Patrick for agreeing to be the contact for their respective communities and indeed for all who have helped to get us this far.
Some parishes in our deanery will not be opening all of their buildings and many only for a couple of hours one day a week. I sincerely hope that we can open all our churches but this will depend upon volunteers for stewards and cleaning. We can start small and then build up if things go well. This will be a preparation for the public celebration of Mass and prayer in the future. Perhaps we can start with opening for a few hours over a weekend?
Once we have your name and availability we will begin to see our options and then proceed to seek permission. I hope we will have more information about this over the weekend with a view of starting as soon as possible.
Please commit this to your prayer and especially to the novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary that starts tonight.
God bless you
Fr Graham
Next Sunday, 21 June, we keep the Day for Life. This year’s theme, “The Wonder of the Child in the Womb,” invites us to pause in gratitude for the gift of new life. It also holds in prayer all parents who have experienced the loss of a child before birth, and the quiet grief that can follow. The bishops’ message and prayers are available at: www.dayforlife.org , if you would like to spend some time reflecting at home. There will be a second collection for the Day for Life Fund, which supports groups working to uphold the dignity of every human life. If you prefer, you can also donate online through the Day for Life website.
OLQP First Holy Communion: 7th June 2026 Congratulations to all our First Holy Communion children. There will be a parish celebration after the 9.00am mass at St Peter’s this Sunday 14th June, with cake and certificates. All are welcome.
Sat 13 OLQP Bible Film Group Sun 14 SP Parish Room, 10.00am: First Holy Communion Celebration Mon 15 Anniversary of Deacon Simon’s ordination Thur 18 SP Parish Room, 10.00am: Coffee pop-in Sat 20 OLQP Bible Film Group Sun 21 2nd Collection: Day for Life
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is holding a Join the Fightback Day this weekend. SPUC works to promote a culture that protects unborn children. A recent amendment passed by Parliament removes legal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies at any stage. This change has prompted concern among many individuals and organisations. SPUC is inviting supporters to learn more and get involved. Information postcards are available in the church porch.
We will be holding a special Mass in our parish on Saturday 27 June for the Unborn and their parents. During this Mass, we will pray in a particular way for all parents and families who have experienced the loss of a child before birth or through stillbirth, entrusting them to God’s tenderness and healing. All are welcome to come, to pray, and to hold these families in compassion and hope.
Some people might be confused by the transfer of the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua in our diocese from his normal date of 13 June to Monday. This is due to the celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday which always follows directly after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The hearts of Jesus and Mary cannot be separated. Saint Anthony would want to submit to them both. He wanted to always be close to Jesus and Mary. He preached and lived that others might catch a glimpse of them both and be converted. Saint Anthony experienced for himself the love and compassion of Jesus and it became real for him - Jesus was real to him. Jesus and Saint Anthony's hearts were intertwined. Jesus wants no one to be lost and Saint Anthony preached that souls not things might be found. Jesus has compassion on the crowd and He asks His disciples to pray for labourers to protect His flock and to do this He gives us His Church to preach, teach and heal with His authority. We must listen to His voice and do as He says. The harvest is ready and the Kingdom of Heaven is very close. He is close at hand. Let us submit to Jesus and stay close to His heart. Listen to His heartbeat and adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Allow Him to minister to us and to take authority in our lives. May He live is us and we hide in Him. With my prayer and united in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. God bless you. Fr Graham
OLQP First Holy Communion: 7th June 2026 Please pray for Antonia, Daniel, Nuala, Orlagh and Samuel, who are receiving their First Holy Communion this Sunday at St Peter’s. Please pray for their families and the catechists
In a parish in southern Lebanon last Sunday 50 children received their First Holy Communion with great joy amidst the fear of missile attacks (EWTN News). Today we rejoice as 5 of our young parishioners receive their First Holy Communion. The context could not be more different but sadly not unique. We take it for granted that we can gather in peace, practice our faith and receive the sacraments. Today's Mass is unlikely to make the news headlines of EWTN. But every celebration of Mass and reception of Holy Communion is of universal and eternal significance. A Holy Communion received with love, reverence, sincerity and faith can change the world. It brings about change just as the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ. Jesus says that His "flesh is true food and (His) blood is true drink" and Saint Paul reminds us that we participate in the body and blood of Christ. There can be no ambiguity here. To be united to Jesus and communion with Him is expressed in our Holy Communion whether it is the first, one hundredth or last time. The gift and sacrifice of Jesus, given on the cross and in the Mass perpetuates in the Tabernacle. He is here. The graces received can be extended in adoring Jesus in the monstrance on the altar. We and many parishes have opportunities for this. You can even watch online. The angels prostrate before Him. The benefits are many. But ultimately, in adoring the Blessed Sacrament we see Jesus face to face and it is His face that we seek and yearn for always and everywhere. With my prayer for an increase love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. God bless you. Fr Graham
Throughout Lent, please bring your personal prayer intentions to our Prayer Boxes (both at St Peter’s and CTK). At St Peter’s, we already have the Prayer Tree, located in the Divine Mercy Chapel, which is regularly used by parishioners and visitors throughout the day. We have added a Prayer Box here, and one at CTK (in the entrance porch). You are warmly invited to write your personal prayer intentions on a small card and place them in the Prayer Box. If you are unable to get to church, you can email them to the office for inclusion, or via the contact form on our website. The names and intentions placed in the Prayer Boxes and on the Prayer Tree will usually be offered at the First Friday Mass, united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After this Mass, the Prayer Box will be refreshed for the following month. Please note: the prayer intentions will remain private. They will not be read aloud. The aim is to ensure that our intentions remain current and meaningful
Saturday 18 July 12 noon – 4.15pm , Church of Our Lady of Consolation & St Francis, West Grinstead, RH13 8LT. A pilgrimage for people across our diocese - the day includes Holy Mass, a personal Consecration to Our Lady, the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, Exposition, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Adoration and Benediction. There is no need to book, to find out more contact Linda C-Dominguez T:01273463463 or M:07944377252. Please bring a packed lunch.