St German's News - 22 March 2020 'Lent 4' Mothering Sunday

Message from Fr Phelim:

‘May you live in interesting times’ which is often attributed (with no real evidence) to a Chinese proverb.  At this stage many of us would rather live in more boring, peaceful and relatively ‘normal’ times considering the extent and intrusion of the coronavirus outbreak.  I am a firm believer that we can encounter the presence and ministry of God in all places and in all events, no matter how serious or dark.  Indeed, we Christians live through a metaphorical darkness each year during the lenten season as we await the peace and joy of Easter.  This should prepare us for an ongoing ministry of hope that we can share and bring to those around us.  God is with us in this hour of need and if you look for the evidence consider the unstinting and unselfish love and care already shown to the sick, the anxious, the vulnerable, the bereaved and the dying.  We in St German’s and St Saviour’s will continue our ministry of worshipping God, albeit in private and physically separate from each other.  We can do this at home (see our website for details).  Yet we will also have a broadcast mass each Sunday, recorded in private from each church.  You can also find these links on our website.  Our ministry of outreach will be one of making available our churches to those who are in lockdown or self isolation.  We want to encourage everyone to visit our church and see them as community sanctuaries in a time of crisis.  As Pope Francis said  ‘The Church is a field hospitals that takes in the infirm, the weak and those longing for healing and consolation’.  Finally, our care of each other.  If you you need deliveries of medicine or food but can’t get out please contact us and one of our team will help as best as they can.  There will also be a church key holder in each church during the open times if you need to contact us and can’t do it otherwise.  In all things we entrust our selves to the care of our heavenly Father who loves us so much that he chose to live in our midst, sharing all our troubles and crises and sending us the grace and strength we need from the Holy Spirit. Please pray with us for all those who are anxious and in need at this time and through ongoing prayer we will entrust them and commend their need to the love of God.  Fr Phelim                              

Sunday Worship - As mentioned above, there will be a recording of the Sunday mass and homily available to watch from our website (www.saintgermanwithsaintsaviour.org.uk) each Sunday from 9:00 am.  Below you can find the readings for this Sunday to follow and pray at home         

Holy Week 2020 - As all public worship is currently suspended, please see updates on our website on how we will observe Holy Week online, in church individually and at home.  Already our diocese has published online forms of prayer.                                 

Stations of the Cross - No communal praying of the stations of the cross from now on.  Individuals are welcome to pray the stations during the day when the church is open and few people are around.                                 

Church funerals are currently suspended.  We  have been advised by the CinW that we can offer graveside and small crematoria based services with a memorial service or Requiem Mass taking place in the church for the deceased later in the year.          

​Recently Departed: Samantha Ewers, Pauline Williams, Harry Rohman, Patricia Mannings RIP.