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Everyone is welcome
A city centre church for all
Church Reopening
See below
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
Good News!
St. Francis Xavier's Church is now open for Holy Mass and private prayer
There will be three Masses each weekend: Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8am and Sunday 10am. We will continue to livestream the 10am Mass.
There will also be one weekday Mass on Wednesdays at 12:30pm.
Please let others know about the times
Please note that from Saturday 8 August 2020, everyone will be required to wear a face covering at Holy Mass or during private prayer
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Regulations mean that a distance of two metres must be maintained between individuals or households groups. This will mean a strict limit on the number of people allowed in the church. The actual number will depend on the mixture of individuals and groups arriving but will be around 40 - 50 people.
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There will be limited availability of toilets.
We are so looking forward to celebrating Mass together again. We ask for your forbearance with the required procedures. Please follow any instructions from the volunteer stewards - without them none of this would be possible so please be patient and kind.
We particularly ask for your understanding if all the places are full and we have to ask you not to come in. The doors to Church will be opened approximately 30 minutes before Mass is due to start and we will operate on a first come, first admitted basis. If you do have to queue outside on the pavement, please observe the two metre distancing and make sure it is possible for other, non-Church goers to pass safely by.
The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday is still suspended so you might consider coming on Wednesday if you can't get in at the weekend.All these procedures require extra work so we need extra volunteers at every Mass. Please contact us if you can help.
I rejoiced when I heard them say
“Let us go to God’s house"
Other restrictions will be in force to meet the official requirements:
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a one-way system will be in operation
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face coverings must be worn in Church
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many of the pews will be 'out of bounds'
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hand sanitiser must be used on entry and exit
The church will still be open 10am - 1pm each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for private prayer.
Please be patient and follow any instructions given by the volunteer stewards.
We very much look forward to welcoming you back to church.
(By the way, in case you hadn't heard, parking charges have been reinstated in Hereford - don't get a parking fine!)
"How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord God of hosts.
My soul is longing and yearning, is yearning for the courts of the Lord." Psalm 83
Live streaming of Mass from SFX will continue on Sundays.
Keep in touch with us in on Twitter @SfxHereford and
Facebook @StFrancisXaviersChurchHereford
A PRAYER FOR EVERYONE AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME
God of healing and of hope , in Jesus you meet us in our places of pain and fear.
Look with mercy on those who have contracted the new virus, on any who are vulnerable, and on all who feel in danger.
Through this time of global concern, by your Holy Spirit bring out that which is best in us, not what is worst.
Make us more aware of our interdependence on each other, and of the strength that comes from being one body in you.
Through Christ our wounded healer.
Amen.
(Dr. Sam Wells of St. Martin in the Field)
Please join us online for live Mass on Sunday at 10am.
St Francis Xavier's Live
CAFOD Petition
Unite against Coronavirus: our new petition to the government can be found here:
https://e-activist.com/page/59334/petition/1
Just as the impacts of coronavirus are being felt on unprecedented levels here in the UK, in developing countries with healthcare systems much more fragile than our own the effects are likely to be devastating. In some countries, there are almost no intensive care hospital beds or ventilators. We must never forget that we are one global family, united in this struggle. Now is not the time to build barriers, but for the world to unite in love and compassion. Out of love for our brothers and sisters overseas, parishioners are encouraged to sign our petition asking the Prime Minister to ensure that the most vulnerable and marginalised people are the priority in the UK’s international efforts as well as at home.
Thank you.
