Pope Francis is requesting that during this month of May the entire Church invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the end of the pandemic and, in a special way, he is inviting all of us to pray fervently for those most closely affected by it.
On Holy Saturday, after a day in the tomb with Christ, the Church gathers for the great Easter Vigil and Mass. If you cannot join in, in person or live-stream, try to gather as a family with a large candle, the children’s Baptismal candles, and a candle each for the adults. By their light, read some of the old testament readings, at least the 3rd one, Exodus 14:15 – 15:1; then the Mass reading, Romans 6:3-11. Then sing a good Alleluia and read the Gospel, Mark 16:1-7. And have a late night party!
And on Easter Sunday, if you don’t get to the Morning Mass, then after the Easter Egg hunt, or just before your Easter meal, read together the disciples’ race, discovery, and joy: John 20: 1-9.
Here are the service sheets for each of the three-days of the Triduum. You can download and print off or simply click and view them on your iPad or Smartphone.
The first document below contains the Maundy Thursday liturgy for the Mass of Our Lord’s Supper (7.30pm). At the end of that liturgy it says that compline will be celebrated at 9.45pm, so you will need the last, large document, for compline tonight, and for the office of Readings and Morning Prayer tomorrow and on holy Saturday. The second document is the service sheet for the good Friday celebration of the Lord’s Passion (3.00pm). The third document is for the great Vigil and Mass of Easter, Holy Saturday, 8.30pm. And the fourth document for the Mass of Easter in the day (10.30am).
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a day on which Catholics traditionally observe fasting and abstinence. This means resisting eating between meals (fasting) and avoiding eating meat (abstaining). Many Catholics also attend Mass or have special prayer liturgies when they receive ashes on their foreheads. This year you may be celebrating a liturgy with your family at home.
Please follow the service by opening (downloading) the Ash Wednesday Service or even printing it off.
What can I give to my family and friends when they already seem to have everything?
Cafod World Gifts Catalogues are available as you leave church, or on their website. World Gifts are a range of virtual charity gifts that will delight the family and friends you give them to as alternative Christmas presents, and at the same time help transform the lives of families living in poverty.
St. Helen’s streams Mass on Saturday at 6.30 pm and Sundays at 10:30am and on other days, please refer to the Newsletter for details, dates and times.
First, please be minded that there is no obligation to watch a streamed Mass given the restrictions associated with COVID-19; however, watching and praying with us is a wonderful way to stay connected to your Catholic community here in Caerphilly and the surrounding area.
A word of caution: Attending Mass online is really hard since we are not in our usual sacred space and without all of its beautiful elements. So be patient with yourself; it is worth the effort!
How to prepare to have the best possible experience
Attire
Dress as you normally would for Mass. Try to distinguish between your normal about the house/odd job clothes as this will help identify this time as a special time.
Location
Prepare a special place on which to set your phone, tablet, or computer
Set out a crucifix or other religious imagery.
Light a candle or two if you have one.
Spread a little tablecloth on which to set your device.
It might be helpful to sit on something more like a dining room chair rather than dad’s recliner or the family couch.
Create a still and quiet environment as much as possible.
Mind and heart
Use a service book if you have one or an app like Magnificat or iBreviary to follow along with the readings. Or simply google “catholic mass readings.”
Whilst challenging, avoid distractions as best as you can just as you would do at Mass in the chapel.
Attending Mass
Switch off all radios, TVs and block incoming calls to mobile phones, maybe consider taking the landline phone “off the hook.”
Participate just as you would when attending Mass (stand, sit, kneel, repeat the proper responses, etc.)
Instead of receiving Holy Communion, make an act of spiritual communion such as this one composed by the 18th century saint, St. Alphonsus Liguori:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Once Mass is completed, spend a few moments in silence trying to recall something from the scripture readings or the homily, something you can take with you and even share with others.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Christ, our Saviour and our King, renew in us allegiance to Your Kingship. We pray for the grace to place You above the powers of this world in all things. We pray for the grace to obey You before any civic authority. We pray for the grace to fervently bring about Your kingdom in my family and Community. We pray that You will reign in our minds. We pray that you will reign in our hearts. We pray that you will reign in our will. We pray that you will reign in our bodies. We pray You will reign throughout all the world. We pray that You will reign in every area of our lives.
O Prince of Peace, may Your reign be complete in our lives and in the life of the world. As we reflect on your second, glorious coming and the judgement of all mankind, we beg You to show us mercy and give us the grace to become great saints. We pray that not only will we spend eternity with You but that You may use us sinners to bring others into Your Kingdom for Your glory.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Christ, our Saviour and our King, renew in us allegiance to Your Kingship. We pray for the grace to place You above the powers of this world in all things. We pray for the grace to obey You before any civic authority. We pray for the grace to fervently bring about Your kingdom in our families and Communities. We pray that You will reign in our minds. We pray that You will reign in our hearts. We pray that You will reign in our will. O Prince of Peace, may Your reign be complete in our lives and in the life of the world.
As we reflect on your second, glorious coming and the judgement of all mankind, I beg You to show us mercy and give us the grace to become great saints. We pray that not only will we spend eternity with You but that You may use us sinners to bring others into Your Kingdom for Your glory.
Christ the King, Your Kingdom come!
Amen.
Daily Theme
The NHS and Other Key Workers
Our God is the great healer. Today we voice our gratitude for those who serve this country in the National Health Service and pray for that God would prosper the work of their hands-that they would all be encouraged in their continued work of sacrifice and care amongst us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Christ, our Saviour and our King, renew in us allegiance to Your Kingship. We pray for the grace to place You above the powers of this world in all things. We pray for the grace to obey You before any civic authority. We pray for the grace to fervently bring about Your kingdom in our families and Community. We pray that You will reign in our minds. We pray that you will reign in our hearts. O Prince of Peace, may Your reign be complete in our lives and in the life of the world.
As we reflect on your second, glorious coming and the judgement of all mankind, We beg You to show us mercy and give us the grace to become great saints. We pray that not only will we spend eternity with You but that You may use us sinners to bring others into Your Kingdom for Your glory.
Christ the King, Your Kingdom come!
Amen.
Daily Theme
Businesses, The Workplace and Economic Wellbeing
In this time of great challenge, we pray for the economic wellbeing of the country. We remember before God those who face great uncertainty in their work. We lift before God those who have lost their jobs and face an uncertain and difficult future. We pray for a renewed commitment to our common life together.
Christ, our Saviour and our King, renew in us allegiance to Your Kingship. We pray for the grace to place You above the powers of this world in all things. We pray for the grace to obey You before any civic authority. We pray for the grace to fervently bring about Your kingdom in my family and Community. We pray that you will reign in my mind. O Prince of Peace, may Your reign be complete in our lives and in the life of the world.
As we reflect on your second, glorious coming and the judgement of all mankind, we beg You to show us mercy and give us the grace to become great saints. We pray that not only will we spend eternity with You but that You may use us as sinners to bring others into Your Kingdom for Your glory.
Christ the King, Your Kingdom come! Amen.
Daily Theme
Elderly, Isolate and Vulnerable
We echo God’s commitment to those most at risk of this virus by praying today for those who are particularly vulnerable and isolated: praying for their deliverance, protection and comfort. We hold before God those who care for them that they would be strengthened and encouraged in this work.
On Monday, at 7pm, we will celebrate a REQUIEM MASS for All Who Have Died In The Past Year, both those buried from the Parish, and any others related to us in the family of the Parish. The celebration will be Live-Streamed – to join in please go to https://sthelenscaerphilly.com/st-helens-live-stream/
If you have a family member whom you wish to have named and prayed for at this Mass, please send the details – name, date of death, and relationship to yourself, to the Parish office, caerphilly@rcadc.org.
Please print off or view the Order of Service from here.
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