Mass Times 

22nd July: Protecting the Health of Our Clergy and Congregations. (Updated Step 4: guidance)

Bishop Robert Byrne CO, in consultation with the Episcopal Council, has taken both Clergy and Lay advice with regard to HM Government’s announcement about Step 4 of the Covid–19 Roadmap. Due to the very high infection rates across all areas of the Diocese, Bishop Robert has asked that Clergy retain all of the COVID control measures and cleaning protocols that they are currently following in all of our churches and church halls until at least the end of August 2021. In September there will be a review of available data and guidance to allow further decisions to be made regarding controls and protocols.

The full text of Bishop Robert’s statement is available on the Diocesan website here

A statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales can also be read here

For the safety of everyone, please: -

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Book a place at the Saturday/Sunday Masses, do not rely on there being a place for you if you have not booked. 

For Saturday and Sunday Masses, the deadline for requesting a place at Mass is 2.00pm on Friday.

Contact Marjorie, our parish secretary, either by telephone 07391 529 827 or email secretary.stjandstg@btconnect.com  requesting a place. She will need your name and a contact number every time you book for track and trace purposes. If you leave a voicemail, also leave your number. You no longer need to book a place at the weekday Masses, but will have to give your contact details to the stewards on arrival. In line with the launch of the Government's NHS Covid-19 Track and Trace App, we have posters with the QR code at the entrances to both of our churches. Parishioners can scan the QR code using their mobile phones to help with contract tracing. This system will work alongside our booking in. 

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A Risk Assessment has reduced our maximum number to:
59 for St. Joseph's
44 for St. Godric's .

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Face masks are to be worn at all services in St. Godric’s and St. Joseph’s
We are continually reviewing the ways to keep you all safely distanced, so please observe the signs on the benches. 

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Aim to be seated a few minutes before Mass starts so that your place is not given away at the last minute.

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The reception of Holy Communion will by necessity have to be controlled
Our volunteer stewards will guide you. In order to reduce the risk of Covid 19 following the reception of the Blessed Sacrament, which will be received only in the hand, you will be expected to leave the church immediately.  

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If you are unable to get a place at a weekend Mass, remember there is Mass during the week. Our obligation to attend Sunday mass is waived at present. Every effort will be made to ensure that all who ask to go to either the vigil at St. Joseph’s or Sunday morning mass at St. Godric’s will be accommodated as soon as possible. May we take this opportunity of asking those who are vulnerable not to come to mass at present.