Friday 3rd July 2020

Future Wider Opening of the School

I am sure that you will have heard in the media about the Government's latest update on the proposed 'full opening' of schools from September.  The guidance from the Department for Education was published on Thursday and will allow us to plan for the return to school, full-time, for all years from the beginning of the autumn term.  Over the next fortnight, we will be going through the key principles within this guidance in order to create and share plans on the changes that will have to be implemented in order to facilitate this successfully.  Thank you for your continued support and understanding in what has been a very challening and unprecedented period of time for our children and their families.

Meet the Teacher - Online Presentation for Parents

Unfortunately, we have been unable to offer the opportunity for parents to meet with their child's new class teacher in preparation for next academic year, however, a PowerPoint has been created by each teacher which will be uploaded onto the school website on Monday.  This will provide parents, including our new Reception parents, with some key information about the expectations, learninng opportunities and some interesting facts about their new teacher too.  If you have any further questions then please contact the school via the 'info' email address.  Further guidance on what the return in September will look like will be published within the next fortnight.

Sunday's Gospel

A good companion is priceless and helps us to make the best of ourselves. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus offers his companionship to us and to our children. In this much-loved and encouraging gospel passage, Jesus invites us to go to him to rest and to be refreshed. Jesus came to take away fear and loneliness – to help people feel loved and accepted. We can experience Jesus’ companionship through other people and through spending time with God in prayer. We do not need to be clever, rich or popular for God to care for us. Regardless of our faults or weaknesses, Jesus always loves us and offers us his comfort and everlasting companionship.

Mass Arrangements at Our Lady and All Saints Church

Our Lady and All Saints Church will open for Masses from Saturday 4th July 2020 at 5pm. In order to open safely space will be limited. We must follow the new seating capacity regulations for our Church.

I would personally very much like to welcome you all back straight away but realistically that cannot happen. As the Sunday Obligation for attending Mass is currently suspended do please remember that you can attend Mass at 9-00AM any week day. 

Inside the Church the way we will do things now will be very different to the way things have been done in pre-Coronavirus Days [March 22] and so we can all expect to see changes. 

Hygiene is paramount in keeping the Corona Virus at bay so we will be observing strict hand washing and social distancing in the months ahead. I ask you all to understand and comply fully with the guidelines that have been issued.

PLEASE DO NOT COME TO CHURCH [MASS] IF YOU HAVE ANY COLD OR FLU SYPTOMS.  

  • Our Church will be opened 15 Minutes before Mass begins.  Please do follow strictly the guidance on Social Distancing outside Church.      [The Sacrament of Confession cannot be celebrated before Masses].
  • Because of the social distancing requirements there will be a huge reduction in our seating capacity. Social distancing of 2 metres must be observed in the church at all times.  
  • Entrance to Mass will be on a first come, first served basis. Our Church may be filled with its new capacity when you arrive. When we are full we cannot let anyone else in. We are really sorry. Please be understanding about this.    
  • Please do not share or offer lifts to people who want to go to Church unless you live in the same household.  
  • In order to track and trace, all attending Mass will be asked to leave their name and contact details with us.[These will be held securely in accordance with GDPR Rules].
  • A one-way system will be in operation.
  • The Holy Water stoops will remain empty.
  • Please be aware - the Parish Centre will be closed. No toilet facilities will be available.  
  • For your own safety and the safety of others we ask all attending Mass to use the hand sanitiser provided on entry and exit and to wear a face covering, which may or may not be a surgical mask. The face covering should cover your nose and mouth and must be worn for the duration of Mass.[Our Church will not provide masks / face coverings. Please do bring your own]. 
  • You will be directed to your seat by a steward. This will not be where you would normally choose to sit. Please be compliant - seating will be limited as many of the benches cannot be used.  

Please do follow the instructions given by the Stewards at all times.

There will be no Mass books provided.  The Lighting of Candles will not be available. 

Candles will be lit at the Font, at the Lectern, and on the Altar before Mass.

  • At this time and in accordance with Diocesan Guidelines, there will be no Singing,

Prayers of the Faithful, Offertory Processions, Sign of Peace.   

I value enormously all our Ministers for Mass - Altar Servers, Readers and Eucharistic Ministers. Again, at this time, we cannot avail of your services. [social distancing / hygiene regulations].

  • To limit movement and the always possible contamination inside our Church, Holy Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass. A Steward will direct you to Holy Communion and so, please wait for instructions before getting out of your seat.  It will not be possible to return to your seat after you have received Holy Communion.  Please therefore keep your belongings to a minimum and ensure you take everything with you. Any item left will unfortunately have to be disposed of.
  • A basket for the weekly collection will be available in the porch as you leave Mass.
  •  While it will be lovely to celebrate Mass together – please DO resist the urge to congregate afterwards.
  •  If you are in the vulnerable category please heed Government advice and keep yourself safe by staying at home. 

These regulations may seem very severe but they are very necessary at this present time for all of us. 

Understandably, too, many people will be/are/may be uneasy at the prospect of returning to our Church at this time.

PLEASE REMEMBER: OUR BISHOPS HAVE SUSPENDED THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND MASS.

You do not have to attend Mass and those who are afraid or vulnerable in any way are strongly encouraged to stay at home and follow Mass using our Live Stream.  [www.olas.org.uk]

Please continue to be very careful and take every precaution to keep yourself, your loved ones, and us all safe. The Corona Virus has not gone away. By working together we have a chance of making our country and world COVID 19 free. Keep in your Prayers that that day may come soon. 

Thank you to all those who have volunteered to help with the Opening of Our Church for both Private Prayer and for Mass. Anyone who has volunteered has been contacted and a rota has been organised. The guidance has now changed and those over 70 are able to help as stewards/cleaners. However you must not have any underlying health issues or live with someone who is in the clinically Vulnerable Category. Please do think carefully before you volunteer as we do not want to put anyone at risk.

If you are able to help please contact Fr Des or email Sarah (who is working from home) at olas.stourbridge@rcaob.org.uk.  We will need more volunteers as this may be our "PRACTICE" for the weeks ahead.

Finally, I want to thank Sarah, Steve and Mervyn – along with our volunteers and stewards – for their time, commitment and goodness at this most difficult of times,

As I say – TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO.

And –  GOD BLESS FOR THE MOMENT. FR DES  

LIVE STREAMING

Our Lady and All Saints are providing a live online streaming service.  Online streaming enable's everyone to attend Mass in this uncertain times, to watch and listen to what is happening.

Please click on the following  link

Mass Times are Daily      Monday-Friday 9.00am     Saturday 5pm    Sunday 8.30 and 10.30am

                                                             

Community Football Opportunity - Halas Hawks Girls' Junior Football Club (Years 5 and 6)

Mr Cunningham-Smith, one of our parents at St. Joseph's, has recently taken charge of Hals Hawks Under 12’s girls football team. They are seeking players from Years 6 and 5 to come along to training over the next few months in preparation for the new season whenever that resumes.  Currently, they have a squad of 10 at the moment and still on the look out for more girls to join the team. For further details please contact Mr Cunningham-Smith on 07789 736610.

Purchasing School Uniform

We now have new stocks of uniform please place your orders via ParentPay. If you have not activated your ParentPay account email the school office at info@st-jo-st.dudley.sch.uk for Username and Password

Sweatshirt £ 9.00 Polo Shirt £ 7.50
Cardigan £11.00 Book Bag £ 5.50
Waterproof Coat £19.50 Fleece £13.50
PE Shorts £ 5.00 PE Top £ 6.00

Access to the Wednesday Word

The weekly edition of the Wednesday Word can be accessed through a link on the school website.  This can be found within the 'Children's Area' under the 'Our Community' tab from the school landing page. The link will be refreshed on a weekly basis.  Please share with your child the Gospel reading on Sunday and the key discussion points that accompany the newsletter.  

Black Country Health Care 24-7 Support Line for adults and young people

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have just launched a 24-7 support line for adults, older adults, children and young people who require urgent mental health support during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Please don't suffer in silence.  If you are experiencing increased distress or anxiety during these uncertain times, then pick up the phone and speak to one of the specialist mental health professionals who will be able to support you.  Further details and contact information can be found on the flyer within the Covid 19 tab on the school website.  

Resources to Support Children's Liturgy and Prayer from the Birmingham Diocesan Education Service

At the Birmingham Diocesan Education webiste there is a webpage containing links to Prayer and Learning Resources for both home and school. This includes the CAFOD Virtual Sunday Children's Liturgy and a child's prayer for Spiritual Communion. More resources will be added as they become available. https://www.bdes.org.uk/des-support-for-schools-through-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html

Prayer of the Week

Dear Lord Jesus, you are kind and full of compassion. Thank you for offering to be our companion and sharing our concerns as we journey through life. Amen.

Virtues Focus - Learned and Wise

Pupils at St. Joseph's are growing to be Learned, finding God in all things; and wise in the ways they use their learning for the common good.

Pope's Intention for July

Our Families: We pray that today's families may be accompanied with love, respect and guidance.

Emmaus CMAC
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Ofsted

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