Bookings for the Masses on Wednesday 5th and Sat/Sun 8th/9th August 2020

N.B. Bookings for Mass will be dealt with on a weekly basis only.

 

Information required:
Full name, phone number, number of seats required by household or bubble, choice of Mass.

For Mass at 10am on Wednesday 5th August
Booking: opens 9am Saturday 1st
Closes: 9am Tuesday 4th
Confirmation: by 6pm Tuesday 4th
Email: stteresa.WEDNESDAY.masses@gmail.com
Text: 07761 301435 (or answerphone)

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For Masses at 6.30pm Saturday 8th – or 8am or 10am Sunday 9th - August
Booking: opens 9am Monday 3rd
Closes: 6pm Thursday 6th
Confirmation: by 6pm Friday 7th
Email: stteresa.WEEKEND.masses@gmail.com
Text: 07761 301374 (or answerphone)

General points:
Please do wear masks to Mass.

Please do book for any of the above Masses you would like to attend.

In the event of over-subscription, ‘new’ bookers will take priority.

Please do not attempt to book for any Mass ‘in advance’ of the times and dates specified.

For simplicity and fairness, we are only taking bookings one week at a time.
When you receive confirmation: please see this as a commitment. If you find you cannot attend,

please let Deacon Seán know in good time so that – in case there is a waiting list

– another person can be offered your place.
Thank you very much.

 

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Reopening Our Church for Mass

I am delighted to say that our Church will be opening for public worship. We plan to have three Masses per weekend – 6.30pm on Saturdays and 8am & 10am on Sundays – and one Mass during the week – 10am on Wednesdays.

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We can accommodate 23 separate individuals and a greater number where the households have more than one person. Our priority is to keep everyone as safe as possible so we must follow very strictly the guidance from the Government, the Bishops’ conference of England and Wales and the Diocese of Northampton. I want to assure you that we have really worked hard to visualise all the possible scenarios to ensure the church is safe and hygienic and we feel that what we have decided meets all the criteria.

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We may look to increase Masses or capacity in the future but we need to ensure first that everything works well with four Masses. I thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

 

Should I come to Mass or not?

While we would all love for everyone to come to Mass, we should all think about our own wellbeing and the good of other people. You should not come to Mass if you have Covid 19 symptoms or feel unwell in any way. And the government still recommends that those over 70 or those who are particularly vulnerable should avoid larger gatherings. The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays is still suspended until further notice.

 

What will Mass be like?

We will be following the instructions for Mass issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. These instructions are there to help keep the whole operation as safe as possible. Our aim is to ensure that you will be 2m away from anyone not in your household at all times while in the building.

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Because of the limitations of space and our desire that all parishioners have equal access to the Mass, you will have to book your place – see below for details

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Mass will be much shorter because we need to reduce the amount of time spent indoors, especially as it is not an easy job to air our church.  There will be no singing or other ministries.

 

What will the procedure be for Holy Communion?

Before distributing Holy Communion Fr Lijo will hold up the host and say, “The Body of Christ” and the congregation will, together, make their response of faith and love, “Amen.” Fr Lijo will then bring Holy Communion to you in your place in the church. Holy Communion will be given and received in silence. Holy Communion will be offered under the form of bread and will be placed into the hand – you will not be able to receive communion on the tongue. Fr Lijo will then return to the Sanctuary and conclude Mass in the usual way. After the dismissal, please wait in your place until a steward asks you, individually, to leave.

 

What will happen when I arrive in the church?

Please observe the 2m distance markings as you wait to be greeted by one of the stewards who will check your name against those who have booked to ensure we comply with the track and trace measures. You will be invited to use the hand sanitiser and then shown to your seat. Please follow the directions of the stewards at all times.

 

Will I have to wear a mask /face covering?

We strongly advise you to wear one for your own safety and, more particularly, for the safety of others.

 

How can I give my weekly offering?

It will be more practical to set up a standing order

Here are the Bank details:

Bank:             NatWest

Sort Code:    600611                    

Account Number:   46714634

Account Name:       RCDN St Teresa’s Catholic Church

Payment Ref:     St Teresa’s Church, Princes Risborough

 

But if you prefer to continue to use your envelope or give a cash donation, baskets are provided at the back of the church. There will not be an offertory collection.

 

Will I be able to speak to my friends before or after Mass?

At the moment we need to avoid congregating together either before or after Mass – please maintain social distancing at all times for your own and fellow parishioners’ safety.

 

We know that these measures will be strange for people, but we must do all we can to protect each other. I rely on your good will and cooperation to make sure everything runs smoothly.

 

I particularly want to thank Deacon Seán and his team of stewards who have made the reopening of our church for public worship possible. There are a number of churches which are unable to open because there are not enough stewards.

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However, we still need more stewards – If you are at least 18 but under 70 and do not have underlying medical conditions, please consider volunteering – contact Deacon Seán with your availability via email: duffyseanm@hotmail.co.uk or by telephone: 01844 343705

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Finally, I have attached a letter from the Metropolitan Archbishops of the Catholic Church in England. I have also attached a very beautiful message from Cardinal Nichols on YouTube. Please do take the time to watch it. He explains very clearly the reason why we must abide by these strict guidelines.  Please click here to view the YouTube link.