Re-commencement of Mass
Re-commencement of Mass
We welcome the Government’s announcement that from 4th July communal acts of worship will be allowed at our Catholic Churches, and are pleased to let you know that from
the 5th July Mass times at St. Simon Stock will be as follows:
- Sunday 10.00am and 6.30pm. There will be no Adoration.
- Wednesday 10.00am – only for those 70+, those vulnerable to infection, and their carers.
- Saturday 10.00am
Please be aware that there will be a limit on the number of people who can attend Mass in our church which has been determined in accordance with the Government’s social distancing requirements. On Sunday, the limit will be 70; at all other Masses it will be 24.
Entrance to Mass will therefore be on a first come, first served basis and once the limit for each Mass has been reached the volunteer stewards have been instructed by Fr. Hans not to admit anyone else to that Mass.
To enable as many as possible to attend Mass on a Sunday we are implementing the 1m plus social distance requirements allowed by the Government which means that the wearing of a face mask at Mass is compulsory Please bring one with you as they will not be provided by the church, and anyone without one will not be admitted.
At all weekday Masses, the 2m social distancing requirement will be applied so masks are not required but you may wear one if you wish.
The government and the NHS have asked for us to keep a record of those coming to Mass to help with their contact tracing in the event of a COVID infection. As you enter the Church you will be asked to give your name and contact number / house address. This is simply for the purpose of track and trace and will not be used in any other way.
Given there is no Sunday obligation, please consider the possibility of attending a Mass on a weekday. This will allow a gradual return to the Eucharist for more people.
At Mass, please follow the guidance given by Fr. Hans, and the volunteer Stewards that has been put in place for your health and well-being.
You should sanitise your hands on entering and exiting the church using the pump provided. Please follow the one-way system has been put in place in church and only enter and exit using the prescribed doors. There will be a basket by the exit door for your weekly offering.
We have been instructed by the Diocese to keep the toilet facilities closed to mitigate the risk of infection.
We look forward to welcoming you back.
Re-opening of the church for private prayer
RE-OPENING OF THE CHURCH FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
We are sure that you all know from the news that churches may open from Monday 15th June for private prayer. To be able to open, a risk assessment must be completed and submitted to the Archdiocese of Southwark for approval. Only once approval has been given, and we have a team of stewards and cleaners in place, can we go ahead and welcome parishioners for private prayer.
Initially, we plan to open on Sundays from 4pm to 7pm. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed throughout this period. We hope that we will receive the go-ahead from the archdiocese in time for us to open on SUNDAY 21ST JUNE and we will keep you updated here and on the parish Facebook page.
Mass for the Sick and their Families, NHS Front-Line workers and those working in Social Care
Recognising that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone, special Masses will be celebrated for the sick, their families, care workers and NHS staff.
The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales recognise that this time of the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every person in our countries. Those who are sick, and their families, are suffering many hardships of isolation from contact with those they love.
Our front-line workers in hospitals and in care homes all over our lands are giving exceptional service to those who are vulnerable at this time.
In order to show a spiritual solidarity with all those who are involved in the ways described above, each week from next Thursday, a Catholic Bishop will celebrate Mass in their Cathedral which will be live-streamed for people to join.
This will take place every Thursday at 7pm.
23 April
Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral on churchservices.tv
30 April
Bishop Richard Moth
Our Lady and St Philip Howard, Arundel
YouTube Channel
7 May
Bishop Marcus Stock
St Anne’s Cathedral, Leeds
YouTube Channel
14 May
Bishop Robert Byrne CO
St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle
YouTube Channel
21 May
Bishop Mark Davies
Our Lady Help of Christians and Saint Peter of Alcantara, Shrewsbury
28 May
Bishop Terence Drainey
St Mary’s Cathedral, Middlesbrough
YouTube Channel
Masses for the Sick and their Families, NHS Front-Line workers and those working in Social Care
Derek McQuillan RIP
May the Lord grant eternal rest unto Derek McQuillan who went to meet the Risen Lord on 15th April 2020 aged 58, comforted by the rites of the Holy Church. We pray for his mother Muriel, brothers John and Ciaran, sister Mairead, their families and for all who mourn him, that God’s love may give them strength, peace and comfort at this time of sorrow. May he rest in the peace of Christ.
