All applications to  Catholic Secondary Schools require a document from the parish priest indicating how often the parents and child attend Sunday Mass. Parents will need to approach Fr John after Sunday Mass and sign each week if they wish the child to receive a favourable report. Bonus Pastor our local school will have three applicants for each place and the decision will be made on the frequency of attending Sunday Mass. No last-minute excuses will be accepted as I'm giving ample warning of the process.

Mass Times return to Normal.

From Saturday 9^th October we restore our normal timetable of Masses.

Sat. 6.00pm

Sun 9.15am

Sun 11.00 am

Mon 9.15am

Tue 9.15am

Wed 9.15am

Thur 10.00 am

Fri 9.15am

Sat morning: No Mass unless announced for the coming week.

Please alert your friends and neighbours of this change and encourage them to return to Mass at the weekends. The church is among the safest environments you will attend in the course of the week.

Catechetical Programmes for 2021/2022.

All programmes will commence online.

Supplementary meetings in the Hall will occur as conditions improve.

Applications are open from today and will close on October 24^th 2021.

First Holy Communion.

Eligible children must be at least in Year 3.

Weekly attendance at church is expected.

Sunday activities at Mass will be included.

The parent becomes the Teacher of Your Child on this course.

All aspects of the course must be completed in a timely manner.

Applications to this email address only: downhamparish@gmail.com

Sacrament of Confirmation.

Eligible young people must be at least in Year 8 and aged 12+.

Weekly attendance at church is expected.

The parent will join the young person in participating in this online course.

No young person can join this course without a parent committing to the course.

A baptismal certificate is needed to join the Course.

Applications to this email address only: downhamparish@gmail.com

Enquiring about the Catholic Faith.

For anyone who would like to learn about the Catholic Church and wishes to explore a faith in Jesus Christ as lived according to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

• You may be new to this story.
• You may be helping a child with First Holy Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation
• You may be returning to the Catholic Church after some years away.
• You may have missed out on some of the sacraments and you feel its time to complete the gifts that God offers through His Church.

Contact Fr John on this email address only: downhamparish@gmail.com

Mask Wearing.

Masks are no longer compulsory, but I would ask you to consider wearing a mask in church to offer reassurance to those who are still anxious.

Social Distancing.

If you are the first to enter a bench I would ask you to consider occupying the middle of the bench allowing for others to arrive in the bench to left and right of you. Before sitting it would be polite to engage with the other users and ask if they are happy with the distance you are maintaining from them.

Baptisms.

You will need to contact Fr John and establish you are a regular worshipper at Good Shepherd and apply for the online course.

We pray for all those working with the NHS and we especially pray for those members of our community who work in hospitals, care homes and serving the public. Also for our elderly parishioners and those with medical conditions. We place you all before God in our daily prayers.

This is the Justgiving site where you can contirbute to our parish finances.

You can use the code reader scan or the link below to make a contribution.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Good-Shepherd-Church-Downham

Those who gift aid are reminded to ensure you provide the details requested.

Thank you for your support.

Other options to financially support the parish are offered below.