29th November 2020 – 1^st Sunday of Advent -Year B

The obligation to attend Mass remains suspended at this time.

BOOKING FOR MASS Please ensure you book your place for attending Mass in all 4 of our churches in advance.  We are required by law to adhere to the governments ruling of strict attendance numbers.  If we are to remain open, we have to abide by this rule.  It has been brought to our attention that people are turning up without an advanced booking.  Please note that this could result in you being turned away.  We ask, to avoid any unpleasant situations, that you or someone on your behalf, contacts the parish office to secure your place. You can do this by telephoning the Parish Office on 01592 784127 between the hours of 10am and 12 noon on Monday or Tuesday giving your name and contact details.  Due to the high demand for places the lists are filling quickly hence the Thursday evening booking time has been cancelled.  Thank you for your patience during this difficult time.

WEEKDAY MASSES will remain private celebrations by our clergy.

RIP Your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of George Harkins whose Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s church last Wednesday.  May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Congratulations to the children of our Cluster who received their First Holy Communion over the past two weekends in St Patrick’s and St Bride’s churches.  May the grace of God be fruitful throughout their lives. Thank you to all who worked so hard to enable these children to experience the love of God.

SECOND COLLECTION Next Sunday in St Patrick’s church in aid of the Building Fund.

FUNERALS Requiem Masses will be of a shorten version and no singing will be permitted to help reduce the spread of air born infection.  Holy Communion will not be offered to the public.  Eulogies will not be allowed due to the time restrictions.  Strict numbers will be in attendance ie close family and the maximum number should not exceed 20. All attending must give their contact details (name & telephone number).  Face coverings must be worn and hand sanitising must be observed on entering and leaving the church.  Social distancing must also be observed.

BAPTISMS & WEDDINGS can now be celebrated with restricted numbers.   Updates will be posted on our website: www.thecluster.org.uk

Our priests will be available for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion only in emergency circumstances.

Re-opening of our Churches for public services.

The obligation to attend Mass remains suspended at this time.

If you wish to join in the celebration of Mass, initially you MUST book in advance due to space restrictions.  You can do this by telephoning the Parish Office on 01592 784127 between the hours of 10am and 12 noon on Monday and Tuesday giving your name, address, and telephone number.  

Face coverings are mandatory.  Exceptions for children under 5 and those with health conditions such as asthma.

You are respectfully requested, when arriving and leaving for Mass, NOT to congregate in the church porches, the back of the churches or in the immediate vicinity of the main exit and entrance doorways.

Hand sanitising is also mandatory on entering and leaving the Churches.  Please avoid touching statues and other surfaces.  Votive candles will not be available at this time as hands will have flammable substances on them.

Seating according to physical distances rules. A one-way system is in place and Passkeepers will be on hand to escort parishioners to seating areas making their way down the central aisle. Please follow the guidance of our Passkeepers to the designated seating areas.

There will be no music or singing, no Eucharistic Ministers or Altar Servers.

Mass will be celebrated without the Gloria or Creed and only one Reading, the Psalm and the Gospel.

After receiving Holy Communion please return to your seat and remain there until the Passkeepers usher your exit at the end of Mass adhering to social distancing rules.

Offertory donations, second collections, Mass Intention envelopes and other monetary offerings can be placed in the box/basket at the back of the church.

No teas/coffees to be served after Mass.

Church cleaning will be required after each Service.

CHRISTMAS CLUSTER APPEAL

This year we are inviting all our parishioners to contribute to a much-needed appeal this Christmas.

As you are all aware, due to the pandemic and the restrictions that followed, our collections have been reduced dramatically.  At the same time a lot of work has continued in our parishes, some visible some not so visible.  Examples are as follows:

Security lighting in Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath

Sanctuary lighting in Lochgelly

Roof repairs Kelty & Cowdenbeath & Ballingry

Church painting Kelty & Cowdenbeath

Heating repairs Ballingry

House & office renovation Lochgelly

These are but a few of the ongoing works in our parishes and hopefully we will be able to continue with these and more projects in the future.

So as the “Season of Giving” fast approaches, please find it in your hearts to support our parishes.

Thank you.

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*****CHRISTMAS MASS TIMETABLE*****

*Bookings for the Christmas Masses will begin on Monday 30^th November on 01592 784127 between 10:00am & 12 noon. *

During this difficult period of the closure of our Churches, any parishioners who wish to continue their Offertory Donations may do so by setting up a Standing Order if they have access to Online or Telephone Banking.

Bank of Scotland details for each Church are as follows:

St Kenneth & Bernard Sort Code: 80 08 85 Bank Account No: 06001435

St Patrick’s Lochgelly Sort Code: 80 08 85 Bank Account No: 00796607

St Joseph’s Parish Sort Code: 80 02 38 Bank Account No: 10061069

Our Lady & St Bride’s Sort Code: 80 02 38 Bank Account No: 10060963

Reference details for all accounts is your Name as it will identify you on our bank statements.

Frequency of the S/O may be weekly, four weekly or monthly.

If further information or advice is needed, please email the Parish Office, providing your telephone number and someone will contact you at the earliest opportunity.

 A PRAYER FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS

Let us pray for all affected by the Corona Virus: for the sick and dying, and for all those who minister to them; that our God and Lord, may look with mercy on a suffering world, and comfort us with His love.

Almighty and merciful God look with compassion on our affliction, and so lighten your children’s burden and confirm their faith, that they may always trust without hesitation in your fatherly providence.  Through Christ our Lord.

Finally, we all have a duty of care to ourselves and others, please adhere to health guidelines issued by the government and stay safe.