Churches are closed, friends are separated, the elderly and vulnerable are self-isolating - some away from their families - and the rest of us are on lockdown to protect the herculean efforts of the NHS as the virus reaches its peak in the UK.

Professor Jim McManus is Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire and has been helping guide the Catholic Church's response to COVID-19.

He talks to us about the vital guiding principles of solidarity, subsidiarity and upholding the common good to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

"We often neglect what's called 'horizontal subsidiarity' - the skills of good citizenship. The skills we learn of participating, of helping one another out, of good behaviour, of pro-social behaviour. This is the time when these networks of skills and goodwill are most needed.

"The 'soft skills' we need as a society are the things we need to practice. So 'horizontal subsidiarity' absolutely comes in. It is derived, theologically, from a duty we owe one another in justice - as fellow creatures - and we should follow that."

Now, sadly, we've had to suspend public acts of worship, Jim gives us an update and offers some dos and don'ts when it comes to self-isolation and social distancing.

We talk about how we can all stay safe and how when we protect ourselves, we protect others - particularly the most vulnerable and those who are not in a position to work from home.

Professor Jim McManus joins us today to discuss COVID-19 and how we can all do our bit to combat the spread and keep ourselves safe - especially the most vulnerable members of our society.

Jim is the Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire and Vice President of Directors of Public Health. He is also a key contributor to the Bishops' Conference Healthcare Reference Group and worked on our Coronavirus guidelines for Catholics.

Canon Christopher Thomas concludes our series of six Advent and Christmas reflections by looking at what is revealed to us at the great Feast of the Epiphany - namely God incarnate as Jesus Christ, dwelling among us.

Of course the magi - the wise men - come into focus but also the star that leads the way: "In its shining - the star calls to all people 'Here is your king - the child to save you from your sins'."

Let's celebrate that "He is God with us, He is the light of the world" and bear in mind that the Christmas season continues for a full 40 days - right up to the 'Presentation of Jesus at the Temple'.

Silence lies at the heart of the ultimate Christmas gift, yet to speak of silence means to destroy it - to take away the peace.

Jesus is the one we come to worship - week in, week out. We have great tools for this - the generations of Catholics who have gone before us, the lives of the saints, our history as the Catholics of England. Above all we have the Holy Scriptures and prayer.

The media gathering focused on the forthcoming General Election and a number of matters concerning human dignity and justice.

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales met in Leeds from 25-28 November 2019.

"It's important to give honour to those who have given of themselves so we can live and enjoy the freedoms that we do. It's not just a question of remembering. For us, as Catholics, it's so important that not only do we remember, but we pray for those who have died. We believe our prayers can help them, just as their prayers can help us."

Our studio guest is an experienced commentator on regional realities. Ziad El-Sayegh is the Policies and Communications advisor to the Middle East Council of Churches and has been in the UK talking to some of our bishops about the work of the council and the challenges facing the the Christian communities in the Middle East.