Good Friday Solemn Liturgy

for 1 hour
St Peter & St Mary Magdalene
Paternoster Row, off High Street. Barnstaple Exeter, EX31 1BH, United Kingdom

Good Friday (29 March) commemorates Jesus’s death. The importance of the afternoon Solemn Liturgy, which is from 2 to 3pm, is that it takes place at the traditional time of Jesus’s death. So we meet and pray together at exactly the same time that our patron Mary Magdalene watched and waited with Jesus at the Cross, and with exactly the same faith and hope as her. As 3pm approaches, we receive Holy Communion, consuming all the remaining consecrated bread in Church. This is the one and only time of the year that the Church is empty of Christ’s sacramental presence. We extinguish the sanctuary light in the Lady Chapel which otherwise burns perpetually, the tabernacle is left empty and open, and we depart from Church in silence to the emptiness of a world in which God, in the flesh, once died.

St Peter & St Mary Magdalene

Saint Peter and Saint Mary Magdalene is the town centre Parish Church in Barnstaple, where a warm and friendly welcome is extended to all. We aim to be an inclusive church for everyone in the area, irrespective of age, gender, marital status, sexuality, nationality, disability, or background. We believe that each person is a child of God, valued and loved, and that we all have gifts and talents to contribute and share.

Our main Parish Mass is at 10:30am on Sundays. The service is 'modern catholic' in style: traditional, accessible, and friendly. We aim for an atmosphere of relaxed formality; no one stands on ceremony. So there's no need to dress up specially or anything (unless you'd like to) - feel free to come as you are. :-)

The weekly coffee morning, Tuesdays from 10am, is another good time to visit. Tourists and anyone new to the area are most welcome. If you would like to join us as a new worshipper, or if you need any further help or information, please don't hesitate to get in touch, for instance by emailing [email protected].

Please also visit the Parish Web Site: www.BarnstapleParishChurch.org.

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The Rev'd Canon Dr Benjamin Williams

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Good Friday Solemn Liturgy

for 1 hour
St Peter & St Mary Magdalene
Paternoster Row, off High Street. Barnstaple Exeter, EX31 1BH, United Kingdom

Good Friday (29 March) commemorates Jesus’s death. The importance of the afternoon Solemn Liturgy, which is from 2 to 3pm, is that it takes place at the traditional time of Jesus’s death. So we meet and pray together at exactly the same time that our patron Mary Magdalene watched and waited with Jesus at the Cross, and with exactly the same faith and hope as her. As 3pm approaches, we receive Holy Communion, consuming all the remaining consecrated bread in Church. This is the one and only time of the year that the Church is empty of Christ’s sacramental presence. We extinguish the sanctuary light in the Lady Chapel which otherwise burns perpetually, the tabernacle is left empty and open, and we depart from Church in silence to the emptiness of a world in which God, in the flesh, once died.

Safeguarding

Our parish of Barnstaple: St Peter & St Mary Magdalene is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR). Our Diocese of Exeter’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSR.

If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSR:

Brian Newcombe on 07878 983 925

or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor:

Costa Nassaris on 01392 294 969

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.