Bidding prayers for 7th Sunday of year C (20 February 2022)

bidding prayers

Priest: As we suffer the troubles of our world, we turn to our heavenly Father and pray that the Church may be a sign of hope and light.

Reader: The response to our prayers is “Hear our prayer”

  1. As we walk the synodal pathway, may we be generous in sharing openly and listening to each other and the Holy Spirit, so that the Church is purified and increasingly shows the truth and beauty of Your presence in the world.

Pause

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

  1. Keep us safe from war, and enter into the minds and hearts of those who plot it, so that they constructively follow the paths of diplomacy and seek justice and peace.

Pause

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer. 

  1. We pray for those who have suffered death, injury, or damage and lost homes during the recent storms. May they quickly find the help and support they need.

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Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

 

  1. We pray for Pat McConnell, Michael Matthews and Rita Watts who have died recently. May they, and all our relatives and friends who have died these last years, be welcomed into the joy of your heavenly kingdom. May those who grieve their loss hold fast to the knowledge that their lives are changed, not ended, and thatbtheir love for those they have left is as strong as ever.

Pause

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

  1. We pray for those we know who are sick that they may find healing, and we pray also for those who care for them, that they may have the skills and compassion to bring that healing and to support their families.

Pause

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

            In the silence of our hearts we pray for all the other needs we are aware of.

            Pause

We ask Mary to join our prayers to her own, us as we say:

Hail Mary ….

Priest: Heavenly Father, hear our petitions as we cry from the depths of our hearts. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, Our lord.

Amen.

Synod: All welcome

newsletter

In this last month of the parish phase of the worldwide Synod, we offer great opportunities for anyone to contribute who hasn’t yet done so.

This Monday 21 February in St Brigid’s Hall there will be open meetings at 2.30 – 3.30pm and 7 – 8pm when members of the 3 Churches Synod Team will be available to listen to your thoughts and ideas.

Alternatively, there are Post-it walls and/or boxes in all three churches for your ideas for the future of our Church.

All contributions are valued!

Fr Matthew

Easing of Covid restrictions in St Brigid’s church

covid-19, St Brigids

This weekend (Sunday 13 February) marks a significant step in the easing of Covid restrictions in St Brigid’s Church.

Some restrictions remain:

  • face masks must still be worn at all times
  • registering your attendance is still required (much simpler and quicker if you use the NHS app)
  • sanitising your hands on the way into church is still required
  • ventilation remains vital and so doors and windows must remain open throughout – on windy or cold days an extra layer may be needed

However:

  • from this Sunday 13 February there will be less stewarding – please find your own seat whilst respecting the space of others
  • try to remain at least 1 metre from your neighbour – this will permit 3 individuals or two couples per pew
  • seats on the “Sacred Heart” side remain designated for those who wish to remain 2 metres from others
  • these pews can accommodate 2 individuals or 1 couple plus one individual

To receive Holy Communion, please approach the Eucharistic Minister in single file, just as we have been doing. When offering the consecrated host the minister will, once again, say, “The Body of Christ” to which you should reply, “Amen”, receive the host and return to your seat.

The use of hymn books returns. Please take a blue one and a black one on your way into church and return them as you leave. Those seated in the “Sacred Heart” side should leave their books in the side chapel as they leave.

Mass leaflets will, once again, be available as well as printed Parish Newsletters. Once used, please take them home with you. Do not leave them in the church.

When mass is ended, please leave the church in the way we have become used to. Try to maintain sufficient space from others and move away from the doors as quickly as possible and so avoid congestion inside the church.

Kneelers may now be used and Votive candles can now be lit.