Mass Times * News * Fr Cyril Chiaha Writes
Weekly Mass: 27th March – 4th April
Throughout the Pandemic all Masses will take place in the parish church of St Richard of Chichester, Buntingford.
The obligation to attend Mass remains suspended. Please see the Coronavirus page for more details.
Service times and attendance during the Holy Week have been confirmed. As seats will be allocated on arrival at church, those who have booked a space are expected to be at the church 15 minutes to the time.
Saturday 27th March: Vigil Mass of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
- 6.00pm: Buntingford
Sunday 21st March: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
- 9.15am: Buntingford
- 11.00am: Buntingford
Tuesday 28th March: Feria
- 9.30 am Buntingford
Thursday 1st April: Maundy Thursday
- 8.00pm Buntingford. Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Friday 2nd April: Good Friday
- 3.00pm Buntingford. The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Saturday 3rd April: Holy Saturday
- 8.00pm: Buntingford. Easter Vigil
Sunday 4th April: Easter Sunday
- 9.15am: Buntingford
- 11.00am: Buntingford
The readings for Mass can be found every day on the ‘Universalis’ website.
Some churches in our diocese stream Mass online, you may be able to watch one of these during this time.
A warm Welcome to you if today is your first time to attend Mass since the easing of the lock-down. Be assured that our church is planned in a COVID-safe manner. Thank you in anticipation for adhering to the safe measures in place – maintaining safe distancing and hygiene.
Easter Decorations: You are most welcome to make a donation towards the decoration of the church for the Easter celebration.
Sacrament of Confession
- In these exceptional times confession is by appointment and will be held at Buntingford.
Parish Office Hours
- Please consider using the email or telephone for office matters. While we must all support each other in these times, we must also try and do our part in lessening the spread of the this disease.
Attending Mass during the pandemic – while the church remains open for public Mass during this time, please keep in mind that anyone who has any symptoms of the coronavirus is expected to stay at home and follow the government guideline. Doing so is for the good of all and speedier resolution. Also those who attend has to remain in the seat until the end of Mass.
Offertory Collection
- Many Thanks to all those who have maintained regular parish offering through Standing Order, loose plate or cheque and to those who wrote a cheque covering the time we were in lockdown.
- Setting Up A New Standing Order: If you are setting up a Standing Order or donating online for the first time, please note that a new Confirmation of Payee service has been rolled out for additional security reasons.
- Although no changes have been made to the name of our parish bank account, you would be required to use the full name of the parish account set below when setting up a new payment instruction. In other words, the full meaning of the abbreviation WRCDT has to be used.
| Account name: Westminster Roman Catholic Diocese Trustee Old Hall Green and Puckeridge Parish |
Account name: Westminster Roman Catholic Diocese Trustee Buntingford Parish |
|---|---|
| Account Number: 91270044 |
Account Number: 51308610 |
| Sort Code 40-05-20 | Sort Code 40-05-20 |
Fr Cyril Chiaha Writes:
On this Sunday, we commemorate the first joy of the season, as we celebrate Our Saviour’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds who worshiped him and laid down palm leaves before him. Palm Sunday ushers us into the Holy Week when we solemnly celebrate the greatest mysteries of our redemption, as it is also the Sunday of the Passion.
In these extraordinary circumstances, our celebrations and mode of participations will be different from what it used to be. On this Palm Sunday, we will be commemorating the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem within the church buildings and not outside. The liturgy will begin in the church. The blessed palms can be collected alongside with the newsletter and should be kept at home after Mass. The usual congregational response is not expected during the reading of the three-part Gospel narrative of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ from the Gospel of St Mark.
On Holy Thursday, the Washing of the Feet will be omitted and there is no procession to the Altar of Repose. On Good Friday, for the Veneration of the Cross, all those present will be invited to adore the Holy Cross in silence when the Cross is elevated higher for a brief time from their respective seats. At the Easter Vigil, the votive candles will not be made available. However, each of us will be able to behold the Paschal candle that will be enthroned and lit in the Sanctuary.
As each of us continues to do what we can to keep each other safe, may we endeavour within this Holy Week to stay close to our Saviour, in whom shall we find strength and comfort in every situation and circumstance. I wish you a very Happy Easter in advance!