Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church
A Community based on Faith, Altar and the WordQuick Links
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Holy Week and Easter are the climax of the Christian liturgical year. The time of the Passion and Resurrection is proceeded by Lent, a lengthy period of preparation for these saving and illuminating mysteries. Lent is a time of penitence. It is a time for us to examine our conscience and seek reconciliation with the Lord. Lent is also a time for spiritual growth and enlightenment. In Lent we are invited to listen, and respond, ever more faithfully to the voice of God. Lent also commemorates Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt and their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Lent relates this to our own spiritual journey, to our liberation, our pilgrimage, our feeding on divine manna and of our meeting with God. And, as we see from today's Gospel, Lent also recalls the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert during which he contended with Satan, the tempter. And our Lent must be a period of fighting against temptation. From this one can see that Lent is a very rich, a very deep mixture of elements which serve to purify and enlighten us. During the time of Lent the Church leads us towards the radiant glory of the Paschal feast. The more serious our Lenten preparation has been, the deeper we shall enter into the joyful mystery of Easter and gather its fruits.
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We gather together, in the main body of the church for Mass. The restrictions, appropriate to the Government’s road map, and our risk assessment, still apply. See below for details. Thanks to all the volunteers who are making this possible. There are a limited number of seats available due to the continued need for distancing. A booking system will be introduced if it proves necessary but until then the seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The Sunday obligation remains suspended. I will continue to post a weekly Spiritual Communion and guidance for prayer, online..
Spiritual Communion
I will continue to post a weekly spiritual communion for Sundays on this parish website together with a meditation. This also provides a framework for daily prayer and meditation throughout the week as I will supply the references for the daily Gospel readings.
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion
Please find below a prayer which you can join in praying during the Mass online as you make your Spiritual Communion. This prayer was written by St Alphonsus Liguori:
My Jesus, I believe that You are truly 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 being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. We make this, and all our prayers through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Take care and stay safe.
With all good wishes and every blessing
Fr Frank
Making a Spiritual Communion *
ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
13th June 2021
Create a prayerful setting through the placing of a crucifix, Bible, statues, icons, etc Then follow this order of service:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Read the Entrance Antiphon
O Lord, hear my voice,
for I have called to you; be my help.
Do not abandon or forsake me,
O God, my Saviour!
In silent prayer call to mind your sins then make the following penitential act:
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord have mercy
You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy
You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:
Lord have mercy
Gloria
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Pray the Collect (the Opening Prayer of the Mass of the day)
O God, strength of those who hope in you,
graciously hear our pleas,
and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing,
grant us always the help of your grace,
that in following your commands
we may please you by our resolve and our deeds.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reign with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
First Reading: A reading from the prophet Ezekiel 17: 22-24
Responsorial Psalm:
R. It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning
and your truth in the watches of the night. R.
The just will flourish like the palm-tree
and grow like a Lebanon cedar. R
Planted in the house of the Lord
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old,
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just.
In him, my rock, there is no wrong. R
Second Reading: A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 5: 6-10
Gospel: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’
Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.
Reflection
We see today how Jesus uses parables when he teaches about his kingdom and he uses parables, story because this is the most adequate way of articulating his message about God and his plan for us, which can never be totally exhausted by words. Because the Kingdom of God is a divine reality it cannot be defined or contained in human categories. It can be understood only by using analogies, word pictures that invite the listener to think and reflect at a deeper level. And so Jesus’ parables and stories are the best means of painting a picture of what his kingdom is like. Jesus uses parables to open up to us the unknown, to open us to the Good News of the Kingdom - a reality which is so “good” and so “new” that our everyday language strains and cracks in its attempts to articulate it directly. So Jesus uses parables to point us to this new reality which is breaking in to our present existence and he starts where we are, with what is known, alluding to the realities of everyday life in order to open us up to the unknown, to that which is “good” and “new” - the mind-blowing Good News of the Kingdom.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us
Immaculate Heart of Mary, have mercy on us
Saints Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, pray for us
All holy Guardian Angels watch over, guard and protect us.
Blessed Robert Grissold, pray for us
Pray the Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen
Offer up Prayers of Intercession for the Church, for the world, for our community, for the sick and for those who have died - and offer up your own intentions.
A Prayer in time of sickness and disease:
All powerful and merciful God,
our refuge and our shield,
bring healing to all those suffering as a result of sickness and disease.
Guard and protect us from all harm
and assist those whose skill and art can put an end to this affliction.
Through Christ our Lord.
Ask for Our Lady’s prayers, saying the Hail Mary…
Pray the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father…
Pray the Agnus Dei:
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Make a Spiritual Communion* - asking Our Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and feed you with heavenly grace so that you might be one with Him. You can use the following prayer of St Alphonsus Liguori:
My Jesus, I believe that You are truly 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 being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Ask for God’s blessing and protection:
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
Make the sign of the Cross saying:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Finish with the Prayer to St Michael:
Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust down into hell Satan and all other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen
+++
* A Spiritual Communion can be made if one has a deep desire to receive Our Lord and to be one with him - even if one cannot, for whatever reason, receive him sacramentally. Spiritual Communion is an act of love and desire to be united with Christ and is a means of drawing on the life of the Holy Spirit dwelling within our souls.
The Church teaches us that we can receive Our Lord Jesus Christ in spiritual communion if we have a great desire to receive him and to feed on him, the spiritual heavenly bread, through our longing for the Blessed Sacrament. In spiritual communion we invite Our Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts.
In this way we can receive the graces and blessings of the Blessed Sacrament even in those circumstances where we are unable to receive Christ in Holy Communion. And the good news is that we can make a spiritual communion several times a day. Indeed, St Maximillian Kolbe endeavoured to make a spiritual communion - asking Our Eucharistic Lord - to come to him every fifteen minutes - every time his clock chimed.
St Teresa said: “Spiritual Communion is very profitable, therefore do not omit it for by it the Lord learns how much you love him.”
I will post the Sunday Collects, and Readings week by week on the parish website.
I hope this has proved helpful. Please don’t feel bound by these suggestions
- if you have your own better way of staying in prayerful and close spiritual communion with Our Lord then, of course, follow it.
Be assured of my prayers - please keep me in yours. Remember that the Rosary is a most powerful means of prayer.
With all good wishes and every blessing
Fr Frank
***
Weekday Spiritual Communion
You can use the format for Sunday’s Spiritual Communion for daily worship and prayer. The Sunday Collect and scripture readings can be used throughout the week but if you prefer you might like to use the Gospel of the day - I will supply the scripture references for these. Also, please don’t forget the supreme value of praying the Rosary daily.
Gospel readings for Week 10 in Ordinary Time
Mon 14 June Matthew 5: 38-42
Tues 15 Matthew 5: 43-48
Wed 16 Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18
Thurs 17 Matthew 6: 7-15
Fri 18 Dedication of the Cathedral
Matthew 16: 13-19
Sat 19 Matthew 6: 24-34
Sun 20 TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Mark 4: 35-41
Please note these important directions:
+ Attendees must wear a mask
+ Remain 2 metres apart
+ Sanitise hands on entering and exiting the Church
+ Follow the signs
+ Always follow the stewards’ instructions
Holy Communion:
+ All responses during the Mass to be whispered
+ Single file queue for Holy Communion (in one kind only) - please follow Steward’s guidance.
+ The Host to be received in silence, on outstretched hand
+ Masks to be worn to receive the Host
+ Leave the church immediately after the conclusion of Mass
Please do not congregate in the car park after leaving the church
During Mass there will be no:
+ Children’s liturgy
+ Offertory procession
+ Sign of peace
+ Parish missals, misalettes or hymn books
+ Congregational Singing
+ Passing of collection bags
+ No flowers
Please stay at home if...
+ You are feeling ill or show any symptoms
+ You suspect you may be ill or have been exposed to Covid 19
+ You have a sick family member at home
+ You have come into contact with someone who is infected
Those attending will be asked to supply contact details for track and trace
Please Note:
+ In the first instance, attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Once capacity has been reached the stewards will prevent entry
+ Wrap up warm - doors and windows will be left open to increase ventilation wherever possible
Toilets in the church:
In order to avoid possible spread of infection and to reduce the need for further cleaning we are trying to keep the toilets closed, but the toilet may be used in the case of emergency. If you need to use the toilet, you are asked to carefully clean and wipe down all surfaces you have touched.
Many congratulations to parishioner Maureen Carroll who has been awarded the British Empire Medal in Her Majesty the Queen's 2021 Birthday Honours List. Maureen was awarded this honour for services to the community of Balsall Common.
As part of Coventry Central Hall’s City of Culture “Artists in Residence Programme” (AiR), Seb is starting a brand new orchestra. The AiR programme is funded by Coventry and Nuneaton Methodist circuit and supported by Methodist Church at Coventry Central Hall. Membership of the orchestra is open to all and rehearsals begin in September 2021, working towards a large-scale celebration concert in April 2022 at Central Hall.
While the orchestra won’t be for complete beginners, those who have perhaps let their instrument collect dust for many years are encouraged to sign up and come along, as well as those who are more up-to-date with their skills. We also welcome players of instruments which don’t normally feature in an orchestra.
The repertoire of the concert will be celebrating Coventry, and will be inspired by reaching out to the people of Coventry themselves. The concert repertoire will be wide-reaching, encompassing both the traditional Orchestral works linked to Coventry, but also some songs from the Pop/Rock genre:
The celebration concert will feature a ‘Festival Chorus’, amalgamating local choirs and singers, as well as featuring already existing ensembles performing in their own right who perhaps normally wouldn’t get the opportunity to perform on the big stage.
To encourage up-and-coming composers, we are also hosting a composition competition, with the winning work being premiered at the concert. There are two categories: Open and Youth, with prizes of £1500 and £500.
All information is available on the website, and is the place to go to ‘Get involved’ with any of the aspects of the orchestra: www.coventryorchestra.co.uk
If you have any questions then please feel free to contact Seb: mailbox@coventryorchestra.co.uk
Although there have been no services during lockdown, the usual expenses of maintaining the church have had to be met. Having been unable to attend church during this time, it has not been possible for those of us using envelopes or loose cash to contribute in the usual way. Standing orders have, however, continued as before and we are very grateful to those contributors for their ongoing support.
Envelopes/ Cash
When church attendance is possible again you may wish , but only if your circumstances permit, to catch up on missed offertory donations. You can do this by putting your cash/ cheque in your envelope or the loose plate. If you prefer you can pass a cheque to any of those listed below or post it in the church post box. If you bank on-line you could catch up with a one-off transfer on-line using the bank details shown below.
Standing Orders
In view of the continuing uncertain times and possibility of further lockdowns, you may consider switching to a standing order and not have to worry about having cash etc when coming to church or if ,perhaps, we are again unable to attend Mass. If you bank on-line, then it is probably easier and quicker to set up a standing order on-line. The parish bank account details are:
- Natwest Bank
- Sort Code 60- 19 – 14 Account No. 05960711
- showing Blessed Robert Grissold (236) as recipient.
It does help if you let Bob Jones, Ciaran McSorley or John McLellan know what you have done, to make sure your standing order is reaching us alright. Alternatively you can download and complete the Standing Order/Gift Aid form here. Only complete the Gift Aid section if you pay income tax and you are not already registered for Gift Aid Donations. When completed please pass the form to any of us listed below.
Finally
If you have any questions about church giving whether by envelope ,cash or standing order or if you need more information about Gift Aid, please don’t hesitate to contact any of us. Thank you for your past support of the parish and in anticipation of the future!
John McLellan (07908 089816)
Bob Jones (01676 532475)
Ciaran McSorley ( 01676 534784)
Mass can be streamed directly from the internet. A number of churches in England and Ireland are available. Please visit this link to find out more.
Parish Events
Date
| Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 04.09.2016 | Candle of Dedication | The dedication for this week is for Joanna Gibbs and Hosanna House Group 524 |
| 28.08.2016 | Lourdes Visit | Ros Cawley, Chris Mitchell & Maureen Carroll are going to Lourdes next Friday. They will be staying at Hosanna House, a House owned by H.C.P.T. in Bartres near Lourdes. During their week's stay they will remember you all. Do remember them in your prayers. If you have a petition you wish them to take, please give it to either Ros or Chris. Thank you |
| 21.08.2016 | Candle of Dedication | The dedication for this week is for Delia Murray and Diana Turner |
| 21.08.2016 | Finance Committee Meeting | There will be a meeting of the Finance Committee after Mass today |
| 21.08.2016 | 100 Club Winners | August's draw winners are: 1st: No. 56 (Rory Murtagh) - £75; 2nd: No. 11 (Kathy Jones) - £45; 3rd: No. 26 (Eileen Innes) - £30 |
| 14.08.2016 | Please pray for | Adrian Stewart and Frank Clements, recently departed and for all those who mourn their passing. Their Requiem Masses will be held at Blessed Robert Grissold on Thursday and Friday of this week at 11.30 a.m. |
| 14.08.2016 | Candle of Dedication | The dedication for this week is for Delia Murray and Diana Turner |
| 07.08.2016 | Father Ed | A warm welcome to Father Ed O'Connell, a Columban Father, who will be presiding at the Mass today. Father Ed will also talk to us about the work he is doing with the poor in Lima, Peru. Our Parish have been helping Fr. Ed for 16 years with our Breakfasts and money from our Bottle. |
| 07.08.2016 | Candle of Dedication | The dedication for this week is for Jo Nijst |
| 07.08.2016 | Services this week | Please note that there is a Eucharistic Service at 10.00am on Tuesday and normal weekday Mass service is resumed on Wednesday 10th August with Mass at 7.00pm followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and meditations until 8.00pm. There will be a 10.00am Mass on Thursday. |
| 03.08.2016 | Get-together | This Wednesday 3 August. We are off to Harvington Hall on a coach trip. Leaving BRG at 10 o'clock sharp! |
| 31.07.2016 | Fr Martin Newell CP | We look forward to welcoming Fr Martin who will celebrate Mass here next Sunday. |
| 31.07.2016 | Candle of Dedication | The dedication for this week is for Jo Nijst |
| 31.07.2016 | Fr Frank on holiday Please Note | Whilst Fr. Frank is away the only celebration through the week will be a Eucharistic Service at 10.00am on Tuesday. Normal service will be resumed on Wednesday 10th August with Mass, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and meditations until 8.00pm. There will be no First Friday Mass in August |
| 24.07.2016 | Candle of Dedication | The dedication for this week is for Jo Nijst |
| 24.07.2016 | Consecration candles | We would like to thank those who donated the four consecration candles put up in the church. These are in memory of the following. Bridge and Perry family, Cotterill family, McLean family, Daniel Mark Lester and Amy Pullen |
| 24.07.2016 | Fr Frank on holiday | Father Frank is on holiday this week. There will be a Eucharistic Service at 10.00am on Tuesdays while he is away. There will be no Mass with the Anointing of the Sick in July and no First Friday Mass in August. |
| 24.07.2016 | Baptism of Eve Elizabeth Ryder | We pray for Eve and for her family, godparents and friends as they gather, after Mass today, for her Baptism.CAFOD Collection |
| 24.07.2016 | CAFOD Collection | Thank you so much for the generous CAFOD donations collected in the last two weeks. An exceptional total of £382 was raised and that is without the Gift Aid extra reimbursement which will make the final total well in excess of £400. Thank you especially to all who took the time to fill in their details |
| 17.07.2016 | Candle of Dedication | The dedication for this week is Richard Brennan |
04.09.2016
The dedication for this week is for Joanna Gibbs and Hosanna House Group 524
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28.08.2016
Ros Cawley, Chris Mitchell & Maureen Carroll are going to Lourdes next Friday. They will be staying at Hosanna House, a House owned by H.C.P.T. in Bartres near Lourdes. During their week's stay they will remember you all. Do remember them in your prayers. If you have a petition you wish them to take, please give it to either Ros or Chris. Thank you
|
21.08.2016
The dedication for this week is for Delia Murray and Diana Turner
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21.08.2016
There will be a meeting of the Finance Committee after Mass today
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21.08.2016
August's draw winners are: 1st: No. 56 (Rory Murtagh) - £75; 2nd: No. 11 (Kathy Jones) - £45; 3rd: No. 26 (Eileen Innes) - £30
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14.08.2016
Adrian Stewart and Frank Clements, recently departed and for all those who mourn their passing. Their Requiem Masses will be held at Blessed Robert Grissold on Thursday and Friday of this week at 11.30 a.m.
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14.08.2016
The dedication for this week is for Delia Murray and Diana Turner
|
07.08.2016
A warm welcome to Father Ed O'Connell, a Columban Father, who will be presiding at the Mass today. Father Ed will also talk to us about the work he is doing with the poor in Lima, Peru. Our Parish have been helping Fr. Ed for 16 years with our Breakfasts and money from our Bottle.
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07.08.2016
The dedication for this week is for Jo Nijst
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07.08.2016
Please note that there is a Eucharistic Service at 10.00am on Tuesday and normal weekday Mass service is resumed on Wednesday 10th August with Mass at 7.00pm followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and meditations until 8.00pm. There will be a 10.00am Mass on Thursday.
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03.08.2016
This Wednesday 3 August. We are off to Harvington Hall on a coach trip. Leaving BRG at 10 o'clock sharp!
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31.07.2016
We look forward to welcoming Fr Martin who will celebrate Mass here next Sunday.
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31.07.2016
The dedication for this week is for Jo Nijst
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31.07.2016
Whilst Fr. Frank is away the only celebration through the week will be a Eucharistic Service at 10.00am on Tuesday. Normal service will be resumed on Wednesday 10th August with Mass, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and meditations until 8.00pm. There will be no First Friday Mass in August
|
24.07.2016
The dedication for this week is for Jo Nijst
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24.07.2016
We would like to thank those who donated the four consecration candles put up in the church. These are in memory of the following. Bridge and Perry family, Cotterill family, McLean family, Daniel Mark Lester and Amy Pullen
|
24.07.2016
Father Frank is on holiday this week. There will be a Eucharistic Service at 10.00am on Tuesdays while he is away. There will be no Mass with the Anointing of the Sick in July and no First Friday Mass in August.
|
24.07.2016
We pray for Eve and for her family, godparents and friends as they gather, after Mass today, for her Baptism.CAFOD Collection
|
24.07.2016
Thank you so much for the generous CAFOD donations collected in the last two weeks. An exceptional total of £382 was raised and that is without the Gift Aid extra reimbursement which will make the final total well in excess of £400. Thank you especially to all who took the time to fill in their details
|
17.07.2016
The dedication for this week is Richard Brennan
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Parish Calendar
