21st February 2021 – 1st Sunday of Lent -Year B

The obligation to attend Mass remains suspended at this time.

The First Minister has announced new lockdown measures that will result in the closure of our churches from Friday 8^th January 2021. The parish office will be closed during this period.  In the event of an emergency or for funeral arranging please ring the parish priest on 01383 510549.

All Mass intentions will be honoured and celebrated in private by our clergy.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK If you know of a forthcoming visit to hospital involving serious illness or an operation and you wish to receive the Sacrament of Anointing, please speak to the parish priest and arrange to be anointed before admission.  Once in hospital, if you wish the Sacraments [Holy Communion, Confession, Anointing] please ensure that you make your wishes known to the hospital chaplaincy through the charge nurse on the ward.  Please do not leave your request to the last minute as you may not be guaranteed an immediate response.

FUNERALS Requiem Masses will be of a shorten version and no singing will be permitted to help reduce the spread of air born infection.  Eulogies will not be allowed due to the time restrictions.  Strict numbers will be in attendance i.e. 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.

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

Archbishop Leo Cushley encourages us all to pray for all those affected by the crisis, those put out of work, those whose lives have been cut short by Covid, and those working in the medical and emergency services and risking their own health for the sake of others.

He has asked that we all offer a Memorare every day for a swift end to the crisis.

The Memorare

 Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

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.