Do you know parishioners who might not be getting parish news?
Some of parishioners, who are particularly vulnerable, elderly or shielding (and may NOT have access to the internet or even be receiving our newsletter), will be feeling incredibly isolated during the coming months.
Please would you consider whether there are any parishioners who live near you who are in need of extra support and take time to visit them? As individuals, we need to make extra efforts to reach out to them at this time!
Our new website will be regularly updated with all the latest news and events – please do ensure you tell your elderly or vulnerable neighbour about events which they can take part in. Or print off or download important messages or interesting articles, which would help them feel more part of our community during the festive season.
A few suggestions
Below are some practical suggestions, as well as areas on our website that would be worth checking regularly or printing off…
- If any vulnerable parishioner would like to be included in our weekly newsletter e-mailing list and isn’t, please invite them to call our parish administrator on 01279 654 063 to be asked to be put on the list or please offer to do so on their behalf. You could leave them the parish telephone number, so that they have it to hand.
- Share with them the latest news from the parish and check the latest news on their behalf.
- Share the newsletters with them.
- Maybe you could connect to the live-stream of Mass and let them listen on the telephone, if they are not online or show them live-stream or our online Carol Service with them, using your device, from a distance or through their window?
- Make sure that they are kept up to date with the latest Mass times, which are subject to change, due to government restrictions: and maybe offer to book them a place, using the online form – and offer to accompany them or give them a lift to church! Do be aware that we will only be offering spaces for Christmas masses by ballot this year – do look for details on our website and ensure your neighbour knows about it!
- We have posted a number of resources for both families and adults to make use of over Advent and Christmas. Do tell your neighbour about these or print off some of the prayers.
- Why not make their Christmas special by creating “Catholic Christmas in a bag” and sharing it with them in time for Christmas? Fill a gift bag with a few Christmas goodies – mince pies, mulled wine, chocolates, a Poinsetta pot plant, as well as some prayer cards, drawings from your children and a printed list of the Mass times and maybe even a Christmas decoration or two?
- Write out some prayers or daily Advent reflections for your neighbour, so that they can follow a spiritual rythmn over the next few weeks
- Maybe you could stand, at a distance, on their doorsteps and sing some carols together?
- As well as offering spiritual sustenance, don’t forget to offer your help with shopping or odd jobs!
There is a wide variety of ways we can help! Whatever you decide to do, know that it’ll be hugely appreciated and those small acts of kindness might make a huge difference to someone who might otherwise be very alone!