Remembering Fr David Wheatley SSC

Please pray for our residents, all those who work and are connected with the Hospital as we mourn the sudden passing of Fr David Wheatley, Master of Archbishop Holgate Hospital. Rest in Peace Father @AlmshouseAssoc @BishopWakefield @frrobertwhart

— Archbishop Holgate Hospital (@HolgateHospital) July 26, 2021

God grant rest Fr Wheatley who faithfully ministered in this place. pic.twitter.com/2vDvqHoBga

— Father Grant Naylor (@FatherNaylor) August 12, 2021

Today We Say Goodbye.

Goodbye Father David Wheatley.

You will be sadly missed by your community and by all of our drivers

Goodnight & God Bless You. pic.twitter.com/3hH40R09l6

— R & S Waterson Limited (Bus Services) (@WatersonCoaches) August 13, 2021

This afternoon the Rite of Reception and Vespers of the Dead took place for Fr David Wheatley. The service was well attended by residents, friends, Trustees, and Clergy. A special thank you to Fr Robert and Fr Stephen for conducting such a wonderful service.

— Archbishop Holgate Hospital (@HolgateHospital) August 12, 2021

Funeral Rites of Fr David Wheatley SSC

We are anticipating that a large number of people will want to take part in Fr David’s funeral rites.  We have therefore made the following arrangements to allow the maximum number of people to participate safely.

Thursday 12 August

3.30pm            Outdoor Reception of Fr David’s Body and Vespers of the Dead

                        at Ebor Hall, Archbishop Holgate Hospital. No Booking Required.

                        Please park in Robin Lane

                        Please bring deckchair/umbrella/parasol as necessary

After this service Fr David’s Body will repose in the Chapel of the Holy Cross.  The chapel will remain open until midnight for individual prayer.

Friday 13 August

9.00am            Fr David’s body will be brought to S Helen’s, Hemsworth

9.30am            Sung Mass of Requiem:

                        Principal Celebrant: The Bishop of Beverley

                        Preacher: Fr Stephen Dickinson SSC

                        at S Helen’s, Hemsworth.  Booking Essential – book here

12.30pm          Sung Funeral Mass:

                        Principal Celebrant: The Bishop of Wakefield

                        Preacher: Fr Stephen Dickinson SSC

                        at S Helen’s, Hemsworth.  Booking Essential – This Mass is now fully booked

2.30pm            Committal

                        at Pontefract Crematorium

                        (Immediate family only please)

Since we are anticipating large numbers of participants:

-Please do not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 or if you have been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace.

-Please ensure you book for either of the services at S Helen’s.

-Wear a face covering.

-If you think you might be uncomfortable when a large number of people are present, please take the opportunity of private prayer in the chapel of the Holy Cross between 4pm and midnight.

Booking

Please book using the online system.  If that is not possible, please ask somebody to do it for you or phone 07495 141202

Clergy

At Fr David’s request the Masses will have a very limited number of concelebrants, however Deacons and Priests are welcome to ‘sit in choir’ : Cotta and Purple stole.  However for the two masses it is essential that clergy book via the online booking system.

Flowers

Fr David specifically asked that there be no flowers at his funeral liturgies. However he asked that if anybody wanted to give a donation in lieu of flowers then would we please support Christian Aid. Donations can be brought to church (over the next few weeks except Friday) or made online here: https://light.christianaid.org.uk/In…/Fr-David-Wheatley The retiring collection after the Masses on Friday will be given to S Helen’s in his memory.

Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage 2021 @ Home in Hemsworth

Monday 2^rd August

4.00pm Welcome and First Visit to the Holy House – watch at home: here

Tuesday 3^rd August

10.30am Mass in Church

11.00am Morning Session – in the Rectory garden or church

4.00pm Virtual Holy Mile Procession and Benediction – watch at home: here

Wednesday 4^th August

10.30am Mass in Church

11.00am Morning Session – in the Rectory garden or church

4.00pm The Rosary – watch at home: here

Thursday 5^th August

10.30am Mass in Church

11.00am Morning Session – in the Rectory garden or church

4.00pm Talk from Bishop Philip North – watch at home: here

Friday 6^th August

10.30am Mass in Church

11.00am Morning Session – in the Rectory garden or church

11.45am Bring and don’t share lunch – in the Rectory garden.

This is the basic program we might add to it (things like eRinging) as we go along.

Download the Youth Pilgrimage booklet below:

Join us for our Patronal Festival

HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh RIP

A statement from our bishops: https://www.sswsh.com/fullposts.php?id=309

On the eve of his funeral we shall celebrate a Sung Mass of Requiem for the repose of the soul of the Duke of Edinburgh. All welcome.

Holy Week & Easter 2021

Principal Liturgies:

Full schedule:

Church Open During Third National Lockdown

Faith is always important, but never more so than when we are faced with difficulties, so we are pleased that both public worship can continue under the latest national lockdown, and that our churches can remain open for private prayer, too. It is our life of prayer and worship that will sustain us and carry us ‘on eagles’ wings.’ We pray earnestly for all those who are anxious at this time.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch over these weeks for pastoral, spiritual or material support. And know that you are being prayed for at the altar every day.

Time of church opening and Mass times can be found here: parishofhemsworth.org.uk/ThisWeek

Christmas @ Saint Heleln’s

We are determined more than ever to celebrate the best news we have ever been given – the news which made the angels sing, the shepherds venture to Bethlehem, and the magi cross distant lands – the news of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We have tried to keep our Christmas service schedule and services as ‘normal’ as possible, though we have had to make a few changes to keep everyone safe.  Sadly there will be no congregational singing at our services this year, however we do hope to include appropriate seasonal music.

To book for the Carol Service and for our Services on Christmas Eve please email : bookings@parishofhemsworth.org.uk or phone: 075330 63733 (Please send details of which service you would like to attend and the name of each person in your group)

Our church is following the law and government guidelines in order to ensure everyone’s safety. We ask that when you come to church, you pay attention to the signs around the buildings which encourage individuals to practise social distancing, hand sanitising etc. Face coverings are mandatory in places of worship except for legal exemptions. Bookings are being taken for our Carol Service and for our Services on Christmas Eve, to enable us to maintain social distancing. Unfortunately that means that individuals without a booking will not be able to be admitted once the maximum capacity has been reached. We are sorry if this causes inconvenience, but we hope that by using this system we can keep everyone safe whilst worshipping together.

We are delighted that we can come together to worship God this Christmas, and we very much look forward to welcoming you to your parish church to celebrate the birth of Christ!

#ComfortAndJoy

The complete schedule of Masses and church opening times throughout Christmas can be found here:

Prayer for the Nation

Fr Robert warmly encourages as many as possible to unite at 6pm each day to say the Angelus and offer intercessions for the vulnerable and those charged with their care during this second national lockdown.You could try to listen out for the bell being rung.

Paper copies of the resource will be available in church.

You can download the resources for this initiative here.

Other prayer resources here.

Remembrance Sunday