Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly  Dear Elderly Friends, “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20): this is the promise the Lord made to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. They are the words that he repeats to you today, dear grandfathers and grandmothers, dear elderly friends. “I am with you always” are also the words that I, as Bishop of Rome and an elderly person like yourselves, would like to address to you on this first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone.   Lord Jesus, You were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society. Support them! As they grow older, may they, continue to be for their families, strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardians of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions. Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience. Lord Jesus, help families and society to value the presence and role of grandparents. May they never be ignored or excluded, but always encounter respect and love. Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed in all the years of life which you give them. Mary Mother of all the living, keep grandparents constantly in your care, accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and by your prayers, grant that all families may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland, where you await all humanity for the great embrace of life without end.  Amen        Summer Dues Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Summer Dues Collection. Please note that like Christmas and Easter Dues this a once off contribution for which we are very grateful. Some people have apparently thought that it was an on-going week by week collection but the envelopes are available for those who wish to contribute in this way.    Church of the Holy Child    It is great that people are returning to public worship in our Churches. However, our maximum number in the Church of the Holy Child is 150, comprised of 3 pods of 50.   In Blessed Margaret Ball the maximum is 50.  On recent weekends our numbers have been at capacity. We have to abide by the regulations and close entry when we reach our total.  PLEASE DO NOT BE OFFENDED IF YOU ARE REFUSED ENTRY AND RESPECT OUR STEWARDS WHO ARE VOLUNTEERS, GIVING THEIR TIME FOR THE PROTECTION OF EVERYONE.   Please remember we are still living in a pandemic situation and have to continue to maintain the various precautions - hand washing/sanitising, wearing a face covering and keeping our distance.  Please note the Sunday obligation to attend Mass is still suspended at the present time.  Funerals (and weddings if there are any) will be capped at 50 regardless of the size of the building. Funerals are still regarded as private family gatherings. Communion will continue to be received in the hand only - please keep your hand as flat as possible to avoid contact between you and the Minister of Communion. Follow the one way system in operation and leave the building in an orderly way after Mass as directed by the stewards to avoid crowds or small gatherings of people inside or outside.  The Parish Centre continues to be closed and unavailalbe for any gatherings or meetings.  All our liturgies will continue to be live streamed. This has been a great blessing and benefit for so many but it is not the same as gathering together in person to celebrate what we are as Church and as the People of God.  Public daily morning Mass Monday to Friday at 9.15a.m. Funerals in these days will be at 10.30a.m. to allow for the exiting of people after the 9.15a.m. Mass and the cleaning and sanitising of the building before the funeral.   Our weekend Masses will be the anticipated Sunday Mass at 7.00p.m. on Saturday evenings here in Holy Child, and on Sundays we will celebrate the 10a.m. Mass in Blessed Margaret Ball; and 10.30a.m. and 12.30p.m. Mass here in Holy Child.   We need to be reminded of the various protocols that are in place for the health and safety of all. We are doing all we can to ensure your safe return to public worship. Please play your part by following the directions given by the stewards - remember they are ordinary parishioners like yourselves, who have volunteered to be of assistance to you in these times.    Fr. Paul Kenny - Moderator   Donating to the Parish of Larkhill, Whitehall and Santry during the COVID-19 crisis