Latest Update 22.06.20

A new message has been received from Canon Paul Gargaro the Diocesan Coordinator, which might answer some questions that have been raised by parishoners.

 

Dear Parish Priests & Parish Coordinators,

 

Beginning to Reopen

I know that some of your churches will have opened for the first time today, and others will be planning to do so over the course of this week. I hope that it all went well (or goes well, if it hasn’t happened yet). Here in St Patrick’s we got around 30 over the two hours we were open, and we had no problems with getting people to wear masks, use sanitiser, etc. We initially found it a bit tricky to keep track of which pews people had used and so we began to place a plastic card on a pew when a person sat down so that we knew that was where we needed to clean before anyone else could sit there.  

Basic Requirements

Since there have been some queries about this I think it is important to be clear about the following points: churches cannot open unless stewards are in place at all times to welcome people, to encourage people to use face coverings, to sanitise their hands, to observe social distancing, and to clean each pew after it is used. Churches must not be opened and left unattended, and parishioners must not be left to wipe down their own pews. This will likely mean that opening times are limited (depending on how many volunteers you get) but for just now this is necessary to comply with the advice given to the Bishops’ Conference by their expert advisers.   

Face Coverings

The Bishops’ Conference advisers have updated the guidance on face coverings. This will be updated on their website shortly (https://www.bcos.org.uk/COVID19/tabid/127/Default.aspx), but for ease of reference the new guidance reads as follows:

 

Face coverings should be worn by all those in the Church whether during private prayer or Mass [when it is allowed]. If no face coverings are available, the mouth and nose should be covered by a scarf or other cloth covering.  In accordance with Scottish Government guidance, the following are not required to wear a face covering in the church: Children under the age of five years; and those who have a health condition where a face covering would be inappropriate because it would cause difficulty, pain or severe distress or anxiety, or because you cannot apply a covering and wear it in the proper manner safely and consistently.

 

This may make it easier for some of your parishioners to attend church, since we’ve certainly had some emails asking about it. Remember though that if someone is shielding they should remain at home. Whilst, as noted above, we should be cleaning pews after each use anyway, if they have been used by people not able to wear masks the need for cleaning is of even greater importance.  

We are pleased to be able to offer funeral Mass in the Church once more. If you choose to have a Mass rather than a service at the crematorium or a committal at the graveside you need to be aware of the regulations that are in place to keep you and your family and friends safe.

How Many People Can attend the Funeral?

The number of mourners allowed to attend the funeral is very limited. Up to a maximum of 20 close family members will be able to attend. This will be strictly adhered to. Attendees should be limited to only household members of the person who has died and close family. Where no household members or close family are attending, those who are a friend of the person who has died can attend, in line with the 2020 Regulations.

We will be asking the undertaker to give us a list of who is expected to attend and anyone not on the list will not gain access to the Church.   This is so that we comply with Scottish Government Regulations 2020 and also assist with contact tracing should anyone subsequently become unwell with COVID-19 symptoms.

What will Happen Inside the Church?

The following arrangements are in place

• Everyone over the age of 5 years old must wear a face mask while in the Church
• You should use hand sanitiser provided when entering and exiting the Church
• The steward will direct you to an allocated seat – those in the same household may sit together
• There will be a one-way system in the church and you should follow the steward’s direction at all times
• Social distancing must be complied with at all times
• There will be no congregational / communal singing – evidence has shown that this can cause the spread of the virus.
• There may be organ music or a cantor.

We hope this information will be helpful to you and allow you to prepare for the Funeral Mass for your loved one.                                                                         

                                                                                                                                       

Best wishes,

 

Canon Paul Gargaro

Diocesan Coordinator