Food for Thought

The following are points that we need to consider at this time:

• Updates will be offered as the situation develops and your input is welcome.
  
• Guidelines will be issued by the Archbishop and the Bishop’s Conference.
  
• The safety of staff, volunteers, parishioners, visitors and all those we serve needs to guide our decisions about reopening activities.
  
• It is likely that COVID-19 will continue to affect the ways we behave and the activities we take part in for at least the next year.
  
• Common guiding principles will be the order of the day for all our Catholic Parishes.
  
• The Archbishop and our Area Bishops will support all parishes and religious institutions.
  Deaneries and its priests and deacons will work in unity to support its staff and all who have a lay ministry in the Church.
  
• As a parish it is important to keep up to date on all Government and Public Health
  directives and guidelines, and to adhere to them.
  
• Simply adhering to these directives and guidelines may not be enough. We need to keep in mind what is right for our parish, including the activities we host and the age and health demographics (health vulnerabilities) of participants.
  
• We must NOT look for ways to get around or bend Public Health directives and guidelines.
  We need to work within the rules and in the spirit in which they are given.
  
• These are early days in the fight against COVIS-19. Life will not return to normal for some time. We must be patient and prepare for that.
  
• We must all try to support the efforts of the powers that be in trying to prevent a new wave of cases. We need to play our part.
  
• Extra cleaning practices will need to be implemented. We will need a plan of action and a team to drive this forward.
  
• Parish income has dropped by £5,000 per month. We need an action plan to help put this right.
  
• The Parish Hall is not available for hire in the near future. New protocols have been issued by the diocese which we must act on.
  
• The Parish Council and the Reopening Team will keep all aspects of parish life under review.
  Please be patient. We will do our best to see parish life return to normal as soon as possible. Ask St. Teresa to help us to make the right decisions for the good of the parish.