Re-commencement of Mass

We welcome the Government’s announcement that from 4^th July communal acts of worship will be allowed at our Catholic Churches, and are pleased to let you know that from
the 5^th 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.

The Most Reverend John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark has sent us his pastoral letter concerning the reopening of Catholic Churches for individual prayer.

As you all know, churches were closed by the Government to control the spread of the Coronavirus infection and save lives. Now that restirctions are easing somewhat, permission has now been given for places of worship to reopen for individual prayer from Monday 15 June. This can only happen, however, if all the necessary hygiene and social distancing measures have been put in place

Read Full Letter

Writing on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, the five Metropolitan Archbishops have addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and, specifically, the measures taken and restrictions imposed to combat the spread of coronavirus. Read full article