CONGREGATION GUIDELINES FOR MASS

GENERAL INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE

• The 2-metre social distancing requirement to be always maintained where possible  including when leaving your car and returning after mass.

• Please avoid “gathering” before entering church or after leaving.

• Hand gel must be used when you come into church

• Face coverings are optional.

• The ‘ONE WAY’ arrow posters do not apply on Sunday. These are for Private Prayer days.

STEWARDS all wearing high viz jackets

• Stewards will be in attendance to assist with seating arrangements and instructions on going forward to communion. They will hand out a Mass Leaflet/Newsletter to you on entering church. The Stewards will sanitize the benches after Mass has ended.

ARRANGEMENTS IN CHURCH

• The Mass Leaflet/Newsletter MUST NOT be left on the benches. (Please take it home)

• Please observe all notices and distance markings in church.

• To find a seat in church, ONLY NUMBERED & NON CLOSED OFF PEWS to be used. Please use the middle or side aisles. There are also seats for use in front of Our Lady & Sacred Heart Chapels.

• Maximum of three individuals to use each available bench. One at each end of a bench (where there is access from both ends) and one near the middle marked by masking tape.

• Benches with only one side access can only accommodate 2 individuals and so more care is needed to maintain social distancing in these cases.

• Family groups  of 2 or more can sit together on a bench and the number of individuals on that bench will be reduced accordingly.

• Statues and any other item in church etc must not be touched or used.

MASS NOT QUITE AS YOU KNOW IT: INSTRUCTIONS FROM BISHOPS

• Please stay seated, apart from the Gospel.

• To reduce public speaking: singing is not permitted and there will be no Gloria, Creed, or Bidding Prayers and a very brief sermon is recommended!!

• There will not be any Offertory Procession or passing of Collections Bags..aagh..

• At Entry & Exit there will be Boxes clearly marked ‘Church Collection’ for your donations!!

• Please remain seated at the Our Father and there should be no ‘physical’ Sign of Peace.

HOLY COMMUNION

• After “Behold the Lamb of God….Lord I am not worthy”  the priest will say “The Body of Christ” with the congregation replying “Amen”: This Amen replaces the one you say on receiving Holy Communion. The priest or minister will not say ‘The Body of Christ’ either.

• To receive Holy Communion each row will be directed by a steward down the centre aisle and then return to their place down the side aisles. This may vary in the 3 churches: e.g..

• In St Alban’s those in the back pews will be the first to be invited by a Steward to come forward.. then the next to the back and so on. Please return to your side via a Side aisle.

• Side altar recipients will then come forward from each of the side altars.

• When approaching the priest/minister for communion, arms should be at full stretch to maintain good distance between the priest and yourself – and remember no ‘Amen’.

• Each recipient will then receive the host only in their hand at the altar steps and it will be given silently whilst standing.

CANDLES Votive candles will now be available but please keep distance if queuing.

PLEASE NOTE:-Candles will have been put in place and only lighting is needed

EXITING     Please maintain distance when leaving via either the front or side doors.