CHURCH DOORS ARE OPENING

These past months have been spiritually painful for us Catholics. It has not been easy. Lockdown has taken its toll on many up and down the country. Lives have been lost to the virus. It is going to take time to recover emotionally and spiritually. Please God, we will move forward and take each day as it comes.
The Catholic Church is taking a gradual approach as it prepares to reopen fully. This is wise and sensible. Some parish churches have opened for private prayer – including St. Teresa’s. Now we can, with restrictions in place, open for daily Mass.
We shall open this Sunday: 9a.m. and 11a.m. Mass ONLY
ONLY 40 MAXIMUM CAN ATTEND EACH MASS.
We shall be open for WEEKDAY MASS at 10a.m. – with a maximum of 40 attendees at each weekday Mass.
I am truly grateful to our Parish Re-Opening Team. Please say a prayer for them and seek St. Teresa’s intercession for the whole parish.
St. Teresa’s Parish General Protocols.

• The Cardinal and the Archbishop wish to reassure you that THE DISPENATION of the faithful from the obligation to attend SUNDAY MASS remains in place for the time being. NO ONE IS OBLIGED to attend Holy Mass whilst dispensation is in effect.
  
• All Sunday and Weekday Masses will continue to be Streamed Live on the Internet via the usual link.
  
• Attendees and volunteers from demographic groups at a greater risk of serious illness, such as people 65 years of age or older and individuals with chronic medical conditions, are encouraged to stay safe by avoiding public gatherings, but are not prohibited from attending Mass if they so choose.
  
• Anyone attending Mass does so at their own risk.
  
• All attendees are strongly encouraged to wear a mask before entering the church, until they leave. Each person should bring their own masks.
  
• Another reminder: ANYONE who has even the slightest symptoms or feelings of sickness must remain home.
  
• THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY, (at this time), at Holy Mass is JUST 40 to be compliant with physical distancing guidelines issued by The Bishop’s Conference and the Government
  
• Until further notice: Our Parish will adopt a FIRST COME, FIRST-SERVED approach at all our Masses.
  
• Please watch out for signage. Separate points of entry and exit will be clearly designated.
  
• We are required to keep a register of all attendees. So please put your name, address, contact telephone number, email address (if applicable) and the Mass you are attending on a piece of paper which you will hand in on entrance to the church. Alternatively, please print the form on the website, fill it in and bring it with you. 
  
• All attendees will be directed to their own special seat so as to monitor occupancy.
  
• Two benches will be designated for families.
  
• Infants and children should remain with their parents AT ALL TIMES.
  
• It is O.K. to wear disposable gloves. Those cleaning or altar cloths, replenishing candles or handling the parish collection should wear disposable gloves.
  
• We will have one point of entry in order to control the number of people entering. Once the maximum number of attendees is reached, no one else will be allowed entry.
  
• Doors will be locked until 25 minutes before Mass begins.
  
• If weather permits, all doors will be propped open before Mass as you arrive so that you do not need to touch the handles or doors to enter.
  
• At the end of Mass, exits will be signposted and indicated by the parish priest to expedite the guided departure and minimise chances of people encountering one another. In all cases, PHYSICAL DISTANCING MUST BE OBSERVED.
  
• I will be delighted to see you back, but please note that I must refrain from greeting you personally at the end of Mass. I must not impede or delay the orderly and rapid departure of you and your family.
  
• The Parish Church is closed at the end of each Mass for a special cleaning. Our thanks to the parish team.
  
• Please be aware that there will be NO toilet facilities.