Opening of our Church for Mass

The churches are now allowed to have mass with relevant restrictions in place. We opened our church for mass from Wednesday, 8th July. The plan now is to have mass on Wednesdays (9 am), Saturdays (6 pm) and Sundays (10.30 am).

Please Note:

·        We are obliged to maintain social distancing in the church. This means the number of people who can attend the mass is limited.

·        At present, the obligation to attend Sunday mass remains suspended. Those who can attend the weekday mass, please consider it so that others will have a chance on Sundays.

·        We are obliged to keep a temporary record of those who attend mass for 21 days to assist NHS test and trace service. so, where possible please write your name plus address/email/phone number on a piece of paper in advance, and include the time of Mass you are attending.  We will also have cards available for people to fill on arrival at church. If you don’t have pen and paper with you, please provide your details to one of the stewards.

·        There will be no congregational singing and mass will be shorter than usual.

·        Readers will be supplied with single use gloves and will avoid touching the microphone or lectionary apart from page turning. The homily will be brief to minimise the time that people are congregated in the church building. The prayer of the faithful will be omitted.

·        There will be no offertory procession and no sharing of collection bags. A collection box will be placed at the entrance for parishioners to put their offering.

·        The communion will be in one kind only. A table will be placed between the communicant and the priest to ensure distancing. The communion will be distributed in silence – no usual exchange of “the body of Christ” and “Amen”

·        After the mass people will be encouraged to return home and not remain.