Important Information

Due to the new lockdown restrictions which will be in force from Thursday 5th November 2020, Mass will not be publicly celebrated in the Church.

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The Church will be opening for private prayer on:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30-10.30am
Sundays 10-11am.

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Please note that it is mandatory to wear face coverings in Church.

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Whilst we are unable to attend Mass, there is the option to watch Mass online. There are daily Masses and services available live from the Cathedral. Details and the link can be found on our Mass & Service Times page.

Mass at Sacred Heart. When we are again able to attend Mass after lockdown and you wish to join us, please book in advance by either calling the parish office and leaving a voicemail message with your name, contact details and preferred day/time or sending an email to with the information. You will receive confirmation of your booking. Please book as early in the week as possible. The parish office is only open on weekday mornings. Any emails or voicemails sent in the evening will not be picked up until the following morning or those sent from Friday afternoon/over a weekend will not be picked up until Monday morning.

Stewards. Stewards will be in the porch and will direct you to the next available seat when you arrive.

Limited seating. The Government and the Diocese have advised that people should remain 2 metres apart where possible. There are two empty pews in between each available pew. This is to allow space for safe social distancing in accordance with the Government guidelines.

Access. Everyone will enter and exit through the front doors to the church, then entering the main body of the church through the right-hand porch door. A one-way system is in place and you will be directed by a steward to the next available space, this is so that we try to avoid crossing paths with other people. Please do not linger in the porch or on the bridge before or after Mass as there is not enough space to allow for social distancing. Please note that the one-way system is in place both as you arrive for Mass and as you leave the Church.

Communion. During the Communion Rite, from the altar Fr Jerry will say, “The Body of Christ,“ and everyone replies, “Amen”. This will not be done at the point you receive Communion. Just before you receive Communion, unloop your mask. We ask that you hold your arms out fully to receive Communion in your hand and then immediately after, replace your mask. If you are not comfortable receiving Communion, you can still make an act of spiritual Communion. The prayer can be found at the end of the newsletter.

Cleaning. The used spaces in the church will be cleaned thoroughly after each Mass.

Collection. The collection plate will not be passed around and instead there will be a retiring collection with baskets in front of the altar and by the door as you exit the church. However we encourage everyone who can, to donate by standing order or direct bank payment as this minimises the handling of cash and therefore minimises the risk of spreading the virus. Regardless of the form the donation takes, we are very grateful for all the financial support given by parishioners.

Please note that the toilets are not available for use.

Prayers and Homilies of Pope Francis

The Holy See has made available a digital publication containing a collection of prayers, intercessions and the Pope's homilies to help sustain the Church’s sense of communion and to encourage us amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Thanks from Ghana

Thank you to all our parishioners from the Wesoamo Child Cancer Foundation of Ghana

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Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton
Registered Charity Number 234091

Parish office: 01604 402301