Please, don’t lose heart. Please, get deeper rooted. When a plant is deprived of some surface water, it has to put down deeper roots. We are going to have to put down deeper roots of the Spirit and we know that God will nurture us.
Cardinal Vincent in his message as parishes move to suspend public Masses
The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales have updated their guidelines, and as part of the efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, public acts of worship have been suspended. However, as Cardinal Vincent has said, during these times, 'the rhythm of prayer will continue'.
We have prepared a list of resources which can be used to help us pray and be close to the Lord. This page will be updated over time. We thank those who make these resources available for their support.
Mass Online
Private Masses will continue to be offered and several parishes in the diocese live-stream them at Church Services TV, as well as through other means. Find a weekly schedule of masses here.
Each day, Vatican News live-streams Pope Francis' 7am (BST) Masses at Casa Santa Marta everyday on Facebook and YouTube.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham live-streams their 12 noon Mass.
The Dominican friars of GodzDogz at Blackfriars, Oxford are streaming Mass Sunday at 9.30 am, Mon-Fri, 7.30am and on Saturdays at 8.30am on their YouTube Channel.
RTE Radio broadcasts regular celebrations of Mass and is accessible on a standard radio, on 252 Long Wave.
Prayers for When Mass cannot be celebrated publicly, prepared by the Bishops' Conference.
Act of Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus,
I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar.
I love you above all things
and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
come spiritually into my soul
so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever.
Amen
Liturgy and Prayer
Universalis (Available free online or as a paid app)
Magnificat is providing complimentary access to its resources during this time.
Apps including Laudate, iMissal and iBreviary
Prayers during a time of ‘flu and illness, prepared by the Liturgy Office.
Prayers when a Funeral cannot be attended, prepared by the Liturgy Office.
Some suggested prayers for those without access to the internet or streamed Masses, prepared by the Liturgy Office. We encourage you to print them off and share them around.
Click to Pray is the home of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network and provides three brief moments of prayer each day as well as allowing you share your own prayer intentions for all to pray.
Pray as you Go release daily spoken meditations on the readings of the Mass designed to go with you wherever you go. Lasting between ten and thirteen minutes, it combines music, scripture and some questions for reflection. They have also launched a new series called Pray as you Stay, providing weekly prayers.
The Benedictine Monks of Ampleforth Abbey live-stream their daily Monastic Office and Conventual Mass.
Join the Church Community online...
Torch provides a new homily each week, written by the Dominican Friars.
Christian Art Today gives a reflection of each day's Gospel, told through art and is run by a seminarian of the diocese.
The Catholic worship collective, One Hope Project, are running a weekly session on Sundays at 5pm called OHP Gather Online. Join them on their YouTube channel to worship, listen to a message and pray together.
Every Wednesday, Youth2000 upload a reflection to their blog, written by a member of their team and how they are coping with the lockdown.
Churches together in England encourage Christians to put a poster in their windows as a sign of faith.
Sr Catherine Wybourne, a Benedictine nun of Holy Trinity Monastery in Herefordshire continues to share reflections on her blog.
Thinking Faith, the online Journal of the British Jesuits.
Heaven's Road Catholic Online Radio broadcast's 24/7 with a mix of Catholic programmes and Mass.
Bishop Robert Barron's Youtube channel broadcast's daily Mass as well as providing brief commentaries on faith and culture.
Fr Lawrence Lew OP uploads daily reflective photos to his Flickr account
Fr Stephen Wang has set up a YouTube channel with live streams called Pause for Faith, where he shares some chat, some spiritual reflection, and 'live prayer' to encourage you to pray at home.
Catholic Voices are running weekly webinars each Monday to share inspiring wisdom, stories and answers to the questions on peoples hearts and minds. Register here
Fr Rajiv Michael, priest at Westminster Cathedral, has created a blog featuring his homilies called Casting Fire.
Deacon Anthony Clark from St Edward the confessor, Golders green, is recording a daily Gospel reflection which can be found at their YouTube channel.
Fr Andrew Eburne, Catholic chaplain at the University of East Anglia, has begun a podcast while in self-isolation called Ego Sum Via to stay in touch with parishioners and students.
Westminster Youth Ministry and the SPEC commnunity are joining forces to bring Evening Prayer and Adoration from their chapel in pinner each day from 5-6pm. Join them on their YouTube Channel.
Fr Christopher Jamison OSB has produced a resource about how to isolate healthily called Alone Together.
Faith in Action
If you are interested in volunteering or helping reach out to those most vulnerable, Caritas Westminster is helping respond to the crisis. Found out how to get involved at their website
You can also find resources for catechists and parishes on the Agency for Evangelisation's page.
Find your closest Parish and their website at the Diocesan Directory.
If you have social media, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date and connected. Alternatively, check out our friends at the Bishops' Conference, Westminster Youth Ministry and Caritas Westminster.
