Fr Rory Writes:
Happily, we can now plan for the opening our churches for Mass. We are working out how we can do this with safety concerns in mind. We hope to open for the first time the weekend of 18th/19th July.
Masses will be offered during the week. If you are not at work during the week, you are strongly encouraged to attend a weekday Mass to allow those who are working to attend on Sundays.
You will need to apply to attend on your chosen day. (Please see attached posters)
Times of Masses during the week are:
St. George’s Church – 10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sundays, 9.00am
St. Wilfrid’s Church – 10am on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sundays, 10.30am
Our Mass time experiences will be very different.
Restrictions are imposed as follows:-
Numbers are restricted to ensure social distancing
If you are at all unwell, please DO NOT attend church
It is recommended that small children and babies are not brought into the church
You will be met at the door, you must give your name and contact details to the usher
Sanitise your hand and wear a mask (this is compulsory)
The usher will guide you to a marked bench at appropriate distance from anyone not in your household. There are arrows on the floor, guiding you through the one-way system.
Please do not genuflect to any of the statues, or touch them or any surface unnecessarily
No leaflets or Missals will be provided. If you bring your own you MUST take them home with you.
Please do not converse with anyone outside your own household, to limit the spread of the virus
There may be music, but no singing is allowed
Mass will be shorter to reduce the time spent indoors with other people
The sign of peace will be not be exchanged
The reader, Eucharistic Minister and Priest will always be on the altar
The Priest will remain socially distant at all times
There will be no offertory
Cash offerings must be placed in the boxes provided at the entrance and exit to the church.
Communion under one kind will be distributed at the end of Mass.
An usher will guide you to communion when it is safe for you to enter the aisle, always maintaining social distance
There will be a small physical barrier between the recipient and the Minister. The distribution of the Host will be in silence with arms at full stretch, palms upwards, one on top of the other, as flatly as possible. Communion may not be received on the tongue.
You will leave the church immediately after Communion, through the Sacristy door. Take ALL your belongings with you (including your mask) and leave your offering in the box provided. (you may not return to your seat under any circumstances)**
You will be asked to sanitise your hands before leaving the church
**If you cannot manage the steps leading to the sacristy, please wait to receive communion until all others have left. The usher will escort you and you may leave through the back porch.
There will be NO tea/coffee after any Mass. The hall remains closed
The lavatories are closed
Please continue to maintain social distancing whilst in the carpark
Please see the above posters for details of how to book for St George’s and St Wilfrid’s.