Parishes Online Catholic Bishops Conference Update The Catholic Bishops' Conference website details the latest updates. Catholic Bishops Conference Latest Guidelines Our parishes need your help Regular giving is the financial bedrock of your parish. You can continue giving during this period by setting up a regular donation or making a single donation. Support your parish Online Mass We have gathered together some of the parishes in the Diocese which live stream their Masses, so you can still access a Mass even if not in person. Please click on the links below, which will show you which parishes are live streaming and when their Mass times are: Parishes with Live Streams Mass on Sky TV and radio Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) is dedicated to the advancement of truth as defined by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. EWTN is available on both Sky (subscription) and Sky Freesat (no subscription) on channel 588 under the Religion category. EWTN Radio is available to all Sky viewers on EPG Channel 0147 under the “Radio” category. Get EWTN Mass-by-Phone A Mass-by-Phone service, specifically provided for those without internet access, has been launched by the Diocese of Middlesbrough. It is acknowledged that many people, especially older worshippers, are missing out because they don’t have smartphones or wifi at home. The Knights of St Columba Council 29 is meeting the cost of providing the phone service. The number to call is 01642 130120. Calls are charged at local rate and free if in your included minutes. Read more: Mass-by-Phone Isolated but not alone Resources for Catholics at home, from the Diocese and beyond. Resources for Catholics at Home Parishioners who are care givers or work in the mental health sector A mini retreat for care givers in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Prepared by Ben Bano at Welcome Me As I Am, a scripture-based reflection every day for a week - download document For more information visit the website The Christian Heritage Centre is offering webinars (13 Feb & 13 Mar) to support Catholics (and indeed Christians) who work in the mental health sector. Visit the website for more details Funerals during the pandemic The Art of Dying Well team speak to leading funeral director Paul Allcock about funerals and the coronavirus (COVID-19), and answer questions about Catholic funerals and cremations. Interview Catholic funerals and cremations Deathbed etiquette and the coronavirus Public Health England's advice on funerals, from 31 March 2020 PHE on funerals Free counselling service (bereavement and front line workers) A new service set up by Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) in response to the evident distress and suffering of many people as a result of the situation caused by COVID-19. ACC’s COVID-19 Crisis Counselling Support Service is for anyone in the UK, whatever their faith, who has been bereaved during the time of the epidemic and anyone working within an NHS setting in a frontline role. Crisis counselling service When you cannot go to Mass The Liturgy Office of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has produced prayer materials that can be used during these uncertain times. When Mass cannot be celebrated publicly Make an Act of Spiritual Communion As we are now in a time when we cannot attend Mass for a valid reason, and are therefore exempt from our Sunday obligation. During this time we are encouraged to make a Spiritual Communion when we desire to be in union with Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. This can be done whilst you watch a live stream of Mass being offered. There are 2 options of prayer you can say. You can make an act of Spiritual Communion by saying the following prayer:My Jesus, I believe that You are 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 if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.Never permit me to be separated from You. Or I wish, my Lord, to receive You with the purity, humility and devotionwith which your Most Holy Mother received You,with the spirit and fervour of the saints.Come Lord Jesus.Give me, good Lord, a longing to be with You,give me warmth, delight and quickness in thinking upon You.And give me Your grace to long for Your holy sacraments,and specially to rejoice in the presence of Your very blessed Body,Sweet Saviour Christ, in the Holy Sacrament of the altar. (From St Thomas More) Or you may wish to print the free prayer card produced by the Knights of the Holy Eucharist: