Dear All,

Ashes on Ash Wednesday

The Bishops’ Conference recommend that ashes on Ash Wednesday are distributed by sprinkling them on the heads of the recipients as is common in other European countries rather than marking their foreheads as we have usually done.

Holy Water and Sign of Peace

 We received the following message from the Bishops’ Conference:

Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops’ Conference, has directed that holy Water may now be used by those who wish to bless themselves as they enter and leave the church. Hands should be sanitised before contact with the Holy Water and the Holy Water should be changed as and when required depending on the size of parish and the number of parishioners attending. There are presently no plans to reinstate the sign of peace so this should be limited to a respectful bow of the head should parishes wish to do so. In the meantime, please encourage parishes to continue with good ventilation and remember that face coverings are still required to be worn unless exempt (as per previous correspondence).

With best wishes

Canon Paul Gargaro

Diocesan Coordinator