Guidelines for the opening the doors of our Churches
The guidelines are the same as they were before Christmas (see below).
The church will be open for Private Prayer from Friday 26th March at 9.00am and each weekday thereafter. Public Mass will be celebrated From Saturday Morning 27th March 10am
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Seating according to physical distancing rules. The maximum number allowed will be 50 people. Attendance at Funerals remains at 20. You will be guided to a seat by a pass-keeper – you will most likely be unable to sit where you normally do.
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You will need to wear a face covering. Exemptions are children under 5 and those with a condition such as asthma. We have a limited supply of masks if you do not have your own.
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You will need to sanitise your hands on entering and leaving. This will be provided. Please avoid touching statues and other surfaces. If you wish to light votive candles, please bring your own lighters.
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There will be no music or singing, ministers of communion. Only the priest will be allowed in the sacristy and toilet facilities will not be available.
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Mass will be celebrated without the Gloria or Creed and only one reading and the gospel.
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Holy Communion (under the form of bread only) will be distributed after the final blessing and people are asked to leave immediately.
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There will be no Teas etc. after Mass.
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The church will have to be cleaned after each service.
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Weekend Masses will have to be registered for. If you registered before Christmas then that will stand for until after Easter. If you do not feel able to return to Mass please let us know and we will remove your names from the registration lists.
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We will need a team of at least 1 pass keeper, 1 reader and 2 or 3 cleaners for each Mass. Please consider volunteering your time and help make this all possible.
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My thanks to those who are presently volunteering to clean the church at the end of each day.
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In order to accommodate as many people as we can these are the proposed mass times
Weekend Timetable Our Lady of Loretto Musselburgh.
On Saturdays Holy Mass will be celebrated at
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10.00am
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5.00pm
On Sundays Holy Mass will be celebrated at
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9.00am
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10.30am
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12.00noon
Weekend Timetable St Martin of Tours, Tranent
On Saturdays Holy Mass will be celebrated at
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5.30pm
On Sundays Holy Mass will be celebrated at
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10.00am
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11.30am
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Preparing to receive Holy Communion
For months now we have been having to internalise our communion with the Lord using the act of Spiritual Communion.
Act of Spiritual Communion
‘My Jesus, I Believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
Although You have already come,
I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You;
never permit me to be separated from You.
……………
Soon we shall return to being able to receive the precious gift of the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Just as we have to prepare the Church building for this to happen so to we need to prepare ourselves – our hearts and souls. So if returning to Mass next weekend or for Easter we should prepare ourselves for Holy Communion be examining our consciences and seeking God’s mercy. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available after Mass next Saturday morning. However that will not be easy for any great number of people. My suggestion is this. First of all read what the Pope said last year.
Pope Francis said this in his homily during Mass in Santa Marta on Friday, 20 March 2020:
“I know that many of you, for Easter, go to confession so you can be right with God again”, said the Pope. “But many will say to me today: ‘But, Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, when I can’t leave my house? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want Him to embrace me, I want my Daddy to embrace me… What can I do if I can’t find a priest?’ You do what the Catechism says”.
“It is very clear: if you cannot find a priest to whom you can confess,” explained the Pontiff, “speak with God, He is your Father, and tell Him the truth: ‘Lord, I have done this, this and this…. I am sorry”, and ask Him for forgiveness with all your heart, with the Act of Contrition, and promise Him: ‘Later I will go to confession, but forgive me now”. You will return immediately to God’s grace. You yourself can approach God’s forgiveness as the Catechism teaches us, without having a priest at hand. Think about it: this is the moment! And this is the right moment, the appropriate moment. An Act of Contrition, made well. In this way our souls will become as white as snow”.
I recomend that you follow one of the Stations of the Cross that have been produced throughout Lent – all still on YouTube and then make an act of Contrition. Also there will be a special set of Stations produced for Holy Week to be put out on Wednesday 31st. That might be an excellent occasion to seek God’s mercy. Anyway the point is to be self aware, self reflective and then bring youself before the Lord.
I hope you all have a great week and I look forward to welcoming you back to Mass over the next few weeks.
With every Blessing
Fr Basil.
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Act of Contrition (traditional)
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
Act of Contrition (alternate form)
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
An Act of Contrition inspired by the Gospels
Father of mercy, like the prodigal son I return to you and say: “I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called your child.” Christ Jesus, Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief to whom you promised Paradise: “Lord, remember me in your kingdom.” Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I call on you with trust: “Purify my heart, and help me to walk as a child of light.”
An Act of Contrition inspired by the Gospels
Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, forgave the sinful woman, and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love.Listen to my prayer: forgive all my sins, renew your love in my heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world.
An Act of Contrition to Our Lord Jesus
Lord Jesus, you chose to be called the friend of sinners. By your saving death and resurrection free me from my sins. May your peace take root in my heart and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and truth.
An Act of Contrition to Jesus, the Lamb of God
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Lamb of God; you take away the sins of the world. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit restore me to friendship with your Father, cleanse me from every stain of sin in the blood you shed for me, and raise me to new life for the glory of your name.
An Act of Contrition inspired by Psalm 51
Lord God, in your goodness have mercy on me: do not look on my sins, but take away all my guilt. Create in me a clean heart and renew within me an upright spirit.