I must start by saying that I am very much looking forward to welcoming you back to church for the celebration of public Mass. I understand first-hand that these past few months have been difficult for us all, and I know that many of you will have made these words of the Psalmist your own, ‘My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?’ (Psalm 41)

As from the Vigil Mass of the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the church will be open for the celebration of public Mass, which, at the time of writing, will be subject to the following Government restrictions and guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic, and as interpreted and expanded on by the Bishops of England and Wales. I will be writing to you all this coming week to further explain what returning to Mass might look like in the near future, but in the meantime I wish to share with the most salient points detailing our return on Saturday evening…

Dispensation from the Obligation of Sunday Mass: the Bishops of England and Wales have ruled that the attendance of Mass on Sunday is currently NOT obligatory. I would therefore like to invite parishioners to attend Mass on a weekday (new mass time, Tuesday to Friday, at 9.30am) in lieu of Sunday Mass if that is possible for them to do so. Those who are working will have no access to Mass during the week, so by coming another time it would give working families a chance to attend Mass at the weekend.

Additional Sunday Mass: notwithstanding the above advice, an additional Sunday Mass will said on Sunday mornings at 8.30am (for the months of July and August, and subject to review) to allow for social distancing at Mass.

Numbers at Mass will be restricted to avoid close contact: do please avoid close contact, and allow a 2m distance between yourself and others (within another household) wherever possible. To facilitate this alternate pews have been cordoned off, and white crosses on the remaining pews indicate where individuals can sit (couples and families will be able to sit together on the longer pews). In some cases Stewards will guide you to your pew if necessary, and do please co-operate with their instructions.

Shorter services: to reduce the time spent in an enclosed space and thus lower the risk of transmission, parts of the Mass will be omitted including the singing of hymns, liturgical processions, the children’s liturgy and procession, the prayers of the faithful (bidding prayers) and the offertory. A short spiritual reflection and the recitation of the Apostles’ Creed in lieu of the homily and formal prayers will further reduce time spent in church.

Individuals who are clinically vulnerable and shielding: the NHS has written to 2.2 million who are considered to be extremely clinically vulnerable to coronavirus, advising them to shield. Do please adhere to official guidance from the NHS or your GP, and please do not put yourself at risk by attending faith gatherings during this time.

As I say, I will be writing to you later this week to offer further guidance for the safe use of the church during this time. Kindly note that the church hall and parish office will remain closed.