St. Teresa of the Child Jesus
  • Home
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Documents
  • Parish Groups
  • Gallery
  • Links
  • Contact us
  • RCIA
  • Safeguarding
Roman Catholic Church in Morden, Surrey

COVID-19 UPDATE

17/7/2021

 
We have received in these past days updated guidelines from the Bishop’s Conference. A letter from them follows:

Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales

Statement from the Catholic Bishops of England Sunday – it is our Day1 On 19th July, the current legislative powers which assist the mitigations against the covid-19 virus transmission will be rescinded by HM Government. Nevertheless, there will be an encouragement to personal and corporate responsibility in this area; as the Prime Minister said in his most recent statement “The pandemic is not over.” Even without this legislation in place, the Church in England and Wales will be adopting a cautious approach to capacity and activity within our buildings, especially at corporate acts of worship.
We are mindful of the certain fact that the Covid-19 virus is still circulating in society. Vaccines provide genuine protection against the worst effects of the virus, yet we recognise the legitimate fear on the part of some who otherwise desire to gather for Holy Mass. It is our continuing judgement, therefore, that it is not possible at the present time for all of the faithful to attend Mass on a Sunday thus fulfilling their duty to God.
It is hoped that it will be possible for all Catholics in England and Wales to fulfil this most important Church precept, that of the Sunday Obligation, by the First Sunday in Advent 2021. In the meantime, all Catholics are asked to do their best to participate in the celebration of the weekly Sunday Mass and to reflect deeply on the centrality of Sunday worship in the life of the Church.
In April, following our Plenary Assembly, we offered a reflection on the experience of the extraordinary long months of the pandemic. It was titled The Day of the Lord. We also began to look at the way forward. We spoke about the important invitation to restore the Sunday Mass to its rightful centrality in our lives. We asked for a rekindling in our hearts of a yearning for the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, as our response to the total, sacrificial love that Jesus has for us. We said: “The Eucharist should be the cause of our deepest joy, our highest manner of offering thanks to God and for seeking his mercy and love. We need to make it the foundation stone of our lives.”
May this continue to be our striving during these coming months as we journey back to the full celebration of our Sunday Mass and our renewed observance of The Day of the Lord.
1 St Jerome, In Die Dominica Paschae II

Our priority is your safety. For the next number of weeks we will be following the guidelines of the Bishop’s Conference to continue protecting parishioners:

  • We will be considering the local conditions of the virus and rates of vaccinations in the area.
  • We will continue to provide hand sanitiser to be used at the entrance and exit of church.
  • Face coverings should be worn by those in church.
  • Cleaning will continue, especially of common areas.
  • For the time being, social distancing will remain with a gradual opening of benches over the coming weeks.
  • Windows will be opened to allow for ventilation of the church.
  • Music and singing will be phased in gently, with face coverings being worn by the congregation.
  • Track and trace will continue, so please do sign in each time you arrive at church as there may not be a steward to do this for you.
  • Communion can only be received in the hand, for the time being.

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    March 2013
    December 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Registered charity number in England: 1173050
  • Home
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Documents
  • Parish Groups
  • Gallery
  • Links
  • Contact us
  • RCIA
  • Safeguarding