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.
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.
- 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.
SAFETY
- Physical distancing of 6 feet or 2 metres is in place at all times and in all directions between people who are not of the same household.
- You will be led by a team member to your seat – please do not move or swap seats.
- Reminder – Volunteers and ALL members of the congregation should use the Medical Guidelines that have been issued before attending Mass. If you have ANY symptoms, such as a cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat, please stay at home.
- All team members, welcomers and participants – please wear your own personal shield or mask.
- All who attend must observe proper hand hygiene from the point of entry, whilst inside and upon exciting the church.
- Hand sanitising stations are available by the doors of the church.
- Hand washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds (say a prayer) is also strongly encouraged before arriving for Holy Mass.
HOLY MASS
These are some of the main points to note:
- Sacred Vessels will be purified and washed by the parish priest after Mass. This reduces the risk and need to have sacristans and Eucharistic ministers in the sacristy.
- No singing of hymns at this time. SORRY!
- Entrance and recessional processions are omitted. There will be a simple entrance by the priest.
- There will be only one lector and one reading.
- No Altar Servers so as to minimise the risk of exposure and to properly maintain physical distancing at all times.
- The chalice, paten, ciborium, cruets and lavabo will be on a small table beside the altar.
- Your parish priest will not be wearing a mask during the Liturgy of the Eucharist; therefore, all ciboria will be covered at all times. He will wear a visor if and when he distributes Holy Communion.
- No presentation of gifts will be made.
- No collection is taken up during the Mass. Instead, bins/baskets will be at strategic points for the faithful to make their offerings at the end of Mass. Secure vigilance will be in place over the donations.
- There is no Sign of Peace.
- There will be no Holy Water in fonts.
- All hymnals, missalettes, pew cards, pencils, donation envelopes and other loose items will be removed.
- Newsletters are only available on-line at the parish website.
- The individual attestation at the distribution of Holy Communion (“The Body of Christ, R:Amen) is eliminated. Instead, one general announcement (“The Body of Christ”) will be made by the parish priest, and one general response (“Amen”) is to be made by one and all before distribution begins. Then each person who wishes to receive the Blessed Sacrament comes forward in procession at a safe distance and receives in silence.
- The Precious Blood will not be distributed at this time.
- Holy Communion may only be received in the hand.
- For the common good, our Bishops around the world acknowledge that Communion on the tongue is the right of the faithful, ask you please receive ONLY in the hand until further notice. Thank you for your understanding and support.
- When needed, Ministers of the Eucharist may be invited to officiate at Holy Communion time. If called upon, Ministers of Holy Communion must sanitise their hands immediately after receiving Communion BEFORE distributing Holy Communion to the faithful. They must also sanitise their hands immediately after distribution.
Should you have any questions regarding this information please reply by email: [email protected] or call our parish number: 020 8648 4113
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