St Joseph’s church and English Martyrs’ church are both now open for Mass, as well as times of personal prayer and Eucharistic Adoration, funerals, weddings, and baptisms. All of these are subject to restrictions in terms of numbers allowed to attend. Please see the weekly bulletin for details. Unfortunately, because of their size, and the difficulty in arranging social distancing, St John’s church and St Patrick’s church remain closed for the time being.
The following restrictions are to be observed:
If you are ill even with mild symptoms of sore throat, cough, fatigue, lack of senses of taste or smell, or with any other illness, then you must not come to church. You will have to remain at least 1 metre away from all other people, other than those from your household or ‘support bubble’ at all times, when entering, seated, going to Holy Communion and on exiting. You have to wear a face covering at all times inside the church, during personal prayer. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to access church for private prayer without a responsible adult. There will be no toilet facilities available in church. In each church there will be a one-way system: At St Joseph’s please enter and leave by the side chapel door. At English Martyrs’, please enter by the main doors and leave by the fire exit at the side, except after dark when the main doors are also the exit. Any items you pick up in church (sheets with prayers or readings) you must take home with you. Please sanitise your hands as you leave. During Eucharistic Adoration: please remain silent in church.
Funerals are being celebrated but are subject to strict limits as regards numbers. The law at the moment dictates that only 30 people may attend funerals, and 15 at a Reception of a Body into church.
Weddings may take place, but only 15 are allowed to attend the service in church. For baptisms the number is limited to 6 only.
Confirmations and First Holy Communons will now take place in the New Year if possible.
Holy Communion at home for the sick is only possible in danger of death, when the priest is called. There is no routine distribution of Holy Communion to people at home.
All Church meetings and gatherings are cancelled for the time being. There will be no Open House, though the Parish Priest is available phone (please leave a message) or email (fr.julian.green@rcaob.org.uk).
Please do not hesitate to contact the parish priest for personal conversations by phone or for requests for visits to those who are seriously ill.
