BOOKING A PLACE AT MASS

---

TO BOOK A PLACE FOR MASS - Phone 07709 091786

The line can only take your calls on 

Thursday or Friday between 10 am and 12 Noon 

Book your place in Church by calling  07709 091786 on Thursday or Friday between 10am and 12 noon.

Places can be booked for Mass at St Michael's on Saturday 29th August at the above times

 The Funeral Mass for Fr Lister, celebrated by Bishop Marcus, will take place at 11am on Tuesday, 29th September at St Mary’s, Halifax and will be followed by Fr Lister’s burial at Stanley Royd Cemetery, Halifax.    Attendance will be limited to those with a close connection to Fr Lister but the Service will be live streamed on the day and can be accessed through the link on St Mary's Parish website. 

https://www.stmaryshalifax.com/

Please keep Fr Lawrie, his family and his friends in your prayers at this time.
 

SAD NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE THIS MORNING

"It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the death of Fr Lawrence (Lawrie) Lister who died yesterday evening, Sunday 6th September. Lawrie died peacefully having been fortified with the Rites of the Church; he had been hospitalised in recent weeks due to a serious deterioration in his health. Please pray for the repose of Lawrie’s soul and remember his family and his friends in your prayers at this time. 

Lawrie was born on 2nd June 1932 and studied for the priesthood at St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw. He was ordained to the priesthood on 19th July 1959 at Leeds Cathedral. After his ordination, Lawrie’s first appointment was to St Mary’s, Halifax in 1959. He then served at: St Anthony's, Leeds from 1963 to 1966; St Theresa's, Sheffield from 1966 to 1971; St John's, Bradford from October 1971 to January 1974;  St Theresa's, Queensbury from 1974 to 1978; St Urban's, Leeds from 1978 to 1983; St Joseph's, Pontefract from 1983 to 1999; and finally at St Cuthbert's, Bradford from 1999 until his retirement from office in 2006.

I thank the Dean and clergy of the Halifax Deanery who ensured that Lawrie received the spiritually care he needed in his retirement and illness, and to the Catholic Care Clergy Support Service for all that it did to assist Lawrie’s personal needs.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”

Thank you to everyone who has been using our Telephone Booking System for a place at Mass. You are welcome to come along to Mass without booking, but as numbers attending are increasing it may become difficult to find you a seat if you have not booked.

As numbers increase, we may look to adding a further opportunity to attend Mass but to do that we will need more volunteers to come along to act as Stewards. We have a great team who have helped since our churches opened but a few more parishioners joining that team will help greatly to share the load.

If you can help, then please let us know the days/times you would be available and whether you can be available at St Joseph's, St Michael's or both churches by emailing the Parish office at: office.stjoseph.pontefract@dioceseofleeds.org.uk 

BOOKING A PLACE AT MASS

Due to the increased capacity provided by the opening of St Michael’s, it becomes more important that as many people as possible use the booking system so we can ensure that sufficient Stewards are assigned to our churches to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all who enter our churches. 

Places can be booked to attend Mass by using the Telephone Booking System (07709 091786) which is open on Thursday and Friday between 10am and 12 noon. 

 Please be aware that any messages left via voicemail may not be checked until the line opens on Thursday through to Friday when the line closes.  

Bookings can be made by individuals for themselves, on behalf of another parishioner, or for a family/household.

Having a booking system in place will help us to comply with Official Guidance, to ensure that attendance does not exceed the determined capacity of the church and to reduce the chance of parishioners being turned away when arriving for Mass without pre-booking.

If a suitable bench is available, then you will be advised where that bench is in the church.  If no bench is available to meet your request, your details will be held and if a bench becomes available later you will be called back and advised which bench has been allocated.

You will be required to confirm your name and telephone contact number. Individuals may call on behalf of a Family/Household group to book seats on their behalf.

Your name and contact details will be held for 21 days. 

Parishioners who come to church on a day when Mass is being said but have not pre-booked will only be allowed into church if there are any unreserved places available. 

WE WELCOME MARC PITSON TO THE PARISH

Marc is a student for the Priesthood for the Diocese and is studying at the English College in Rome.

Marc received the Ministry of Acolyte by Bishop Marcus last Tuesday at Leeds Cathedral. 

He will be here initially for his month's placement, and then he will have St Joseph's as a base when he is in England until, God willing, he is Ordained to the Sacred Priesthood.

I am sure you will make Marc very welcome when you see him and keep him and the rest of our Students for the Priesthood in your prayers.

You can watch the role of Acolyte being conferred on Marc by Bishop Marcus by going to the ‘News Page’ of the Diocese of Leeds website (https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/news/

Bishop Marcus has issued a further Decree with regard to  the  cessation  of  public  Masses  in  the  Diocese

https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/latest-guidance-form-the-bishops-conference-on-coronavirus-10-3-20/