Public Masses at St Catherine's during Covid restrictions

We need to stress that there is still NO obligation to attend Mass and we ask the elderly and those with medical conditions to think very carefully about whether they need to come at this time. If they do want to attend Mass, coming to a quieter weekday service would be advisable.

If you do attend Mass, please note that we must follow some important rules to try and minimise the risks (please see below). 
Entry will be via the main back doors and exit will be via the side door. We are limited to around 70 people in church at any one time - if more than that come, please understand that you will have to stand outside. PLEASE BRING A PIECE OF PAPER WITH YOUR NAME & CONTACT DETAILS ON, TO BE PLACED IN A ‘BALLOT BOX’, & ACCESSED ONLY IF ANYONE PRESENT REPORTS A COVID OUTBREAK WITHIN 21 DAYS (spare paper and pens will be available at the back of church if you forget to bring your details with you).
PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT FACE COVERINGS MUST BE WORN IN CHURCH (unless exempt - ie. those with a specific health condition or children under 11 years)

​Guidelines for attending Mass:

1. There is still NO OBLIGATION to attend Mass.
2. St Catherine’s can hold about 70 people under present conditions, if more than that come, they will have to stand outside, so please consider attending a weekday Mass if you can, instead of Sunday.
3. There will be no Servers, Sacristans, Extraordinary Minsters or Offertory Procession required at Mass until further notice, to limit the numbers touching chalices etc.
4. Please arrive by the main doors and leave by the side entrance.
5. Holy Communion will be under one kind given by the priest in the hand only.
6. Holy Communion will be given at the end after the final blessing and after all have responded together ‘Amen’ when the priest says, ‘Body of Christ’. Holy Communion will then be received in silence.
7. Communicants will come forward one bench at a time, alternating from side to side and keeping a safe distance, as directed by the priest.
8. Communicants will leave by the side entrance immediately after receiving Holy Communion.
9. There will be no singing and no bidding prayers at Mass.
10. The reader must read from the missalette and not touch the lectern.
11. All missalettes and newsletters that you have touched must be taken away with you.
12. A retiring collection only will be held and the money will be placed in isolation for 72 hours before being counted

We have put together a brief video below to explain about the preparation for celebrating Mass.