Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0HA
The Assumption of Our Lady – Old Harlow
Rules & Regulations for Attending Mass
With 1 metre distancing and Face Masks we have a maximum capacity of 61 people in our church.
In order to be Covid-19 secure and maintain 1 metre + distance; face coverings are compulsory for adults and children other than babies in arms except when receiving Holy Communion.
No mask – No entry.
GENERAL:
•A copy of the Sunday Message and Mass Sheet is available on this website.
Please take the mass sheets home with you - DO NOT leave them in the Church.
• There will be NO Singing, Hymn Books, and no Bidding Prayers until further notice. Simon will continue to play for us but please do not be tempted to sing along even if you know the words.
• The Hall together has to remain closed at this time – sorry.
• All doors and windows must remain open during the service.
ARRIVING AND ENTERING CHURCH:
• Make sure you allow plenty of time: We would suggest 30 minutes before the start time as
• Enter by the Main Door Only - On arrival please form a 2-metre-apart queue outside the entrance and alongside the side of the church, not down the slope or entrance steps. This can be joined by crossing the grass if necessary, to keep your distance.
Enter the porch as directed by the Steward and please follow their instructions.
• As no Offertory Collection is allowed, and a basket is provided for your donations.
Please consider joining our Standing Order Scheme with allows Gift Aid to the Church and tax advantages for you. This also makes counting cash simpler – Thank you.
• Once the church is full to Covid 19 Capacity, no further parishioners can be admitted.
• Each pew can accommodate three single persons, one at either outer edge and one in the middle. If you are in a ‘group bubble’, then move towards the outer edge so a single person can use the remaining inside area if it has a 1-metre-wide gap.
• If you have restricted movement, please only sit in the front pew and you will receive Communion in your place.
• Sorry, but Votive candles are not allowed; as this would cause congestion and breach the distancing rules.
• The Sign of Peace is not proclaimed or to be shared.
COMMUNION:
This starts when we recite the ‘Invitation prayer:’ “Behold the Lamb of God...Lord I am not worthy”.
Fr John will then hold up the Host to the Congregation and say audibly, “The Body of Christ”,
to which we should all respond, “Amen.” In the same way, he elevates the Chalice and says,
“The Blood of Christ” and again we respond, “Amen.”
• A Steward will direct you to approach the altar for Communion. Please do not approach in any other way. We will start from the front and one side only at a time. Please walk up the centre aisle – receive – and then turning towards the appropriate outer side of the church, walk along the outer aisle back to your pew.
• Approach the Priest / Deacon / Minister, stopping at the coloured line on the carpet and keeping a 1-metre gap from the person in front of you. Your arms should be at full stretch so that there is a good distance between the Minister and the communicant. Your hands must be palms upwards, one of top of the other, and extended as flatly as possible. You must remain standing, genuflection before reception is not permitted.
• You will be given Communion silently and in the hand only. There is no need to speak. You will have already said the appropriate prayer when Fr John offered the Host and Chalice for worship earlier in the Rite.
• Communion will be taken to anyone with restricted movement in the front pew only again silently with outstretched hands.
DEPARTING CHURCH:
• When you come to leave you will be directed by the Stewards. Please move towards the outer aisle in the order that you are in your pew. DO NOT cross over anyone. DO NOT use the centre aisle.
• Walk around the outer edge – across the foot of the sanctuary if necessary - and out of the side door keeping 1 metre apart at all times. Please DO NOT start a conversation until you are outside the church.
• Do Not Congregate immediately outside the door as others need to leave. (Vacating the church is essential as we will need to deep-clean and sanitise after Mass.)
By all means congregate in distanced groups on the lawn weather permitting, where Fr John hopes to join you – when anyone who wishes may join him for a chat – observing the 1-metre-distancing rule.
CONFESSIONS
As usual Fr John is available for outside Confessions. Please ring 01279 429388 for an appointment.
Rules & Regulations for Attending Mass
With 1 metre distancing and Face Masks we have a maximum capacity of 61 people in our church.
In order to be Covid-19 secure and maintain 1 metre + distance; face coverings are compulsory for adults and children other than babies in arms except when receiving Holy Communion.
No mask – No entry.
GENERAL:
•A copy of the Sunday Message and Mass Sheet is available on this website.
Please take the mass sheets home with you - DO NOT leave them in the Church.
• There will be NO Singing, Hymn Books, and no Bidding Prayers until further notice. Simon will continue to play for us but please do not be tempted to sing along even if you know the words.
• The Hall together has to remain closed at this time – sorry.
• All doors and windows must remain open during the service.
ARRIVING AND ENTERING CHURCH:
• Make sure you allow plenty of time: We would suggest 30 minutes before the start time as
• Enter by the Main Door Only - On arrival please form a 2-metre-apart queue outside the entrance and alongside the side of the church, not down the slope or entrance steps. This can be joined by crossing the grass if necessary, to keep your distance.
Enter the porch as directed by the Steward and please follow their instructions.
- Tell the Steward your SURNAME and TELEPHONE NUMBER this is for tracing infections and will be discarded after 21 days.
• As no Offertory Collection is allowed, and a basket is provided for your donations.
Please consider joining our Standing Order Scheme with allows Gift Aid to the Church and tax advantages for you. This also makes counting cash simpler – Thank you.
• Once the church is full to Covid 19 Capacity, no further parishioners can be admitted.
• Each pew can accommodate three single persons, one at either outer edge and one in the middle. If you are in a ‘group bubble’, then move towards the outer edge so a single person can use the remaining inside area if it has a 1-metre-wide gap.
• If you have restricted movement, please only sit in the front pew and you will receive Communion in your place.
• Sorry, but Votive candles are not allowed; as this would cause congestion and breach the distancing rules.
• The Sign of Peace is not proclaimed or to be shared.
COMMUNION:
This starts when we recite the ‘Invitation prayer:’ “Behold the Lamb of God...Lord I am not worthy”.
Fr John will then hold up the Host to the Congregation and say audibly, “The Body of Christ”,
to which we should all respond, “Amen.” In the same way, he elevates the Chalice and says,
“The Blood of Christ” and again we respond, “Amen.”
• A Steward will direct you to approach the altar for Communion. Please do not approach in any other way. We will start from the front and one side only at a time. Please walk up the centre aisle – receive – and then turning towards the appropriate outer side of the church, walk along the outer aisle back to your pew.
• Approach the Priest / Deacon / Minister, stopping at the coloured line on the carpet and keeping a 1-metre gap from the person in front of you. Your arms should be at full stretch so that there is a good distance between the Minister and the communicant. Your hands must be palms upwards, one of top of the other, and extended as flatly as possible. You must remain standing, genuflection before reception is not permitted.
• You will be given Communion silently and in the hand only. There is no need to speak. You will have already said the appropriate prayer when Fr John offered the Host and Chalice for worship earlier in the Rite.
• Communion will be taken to anyone with restricted movement in the front pew only again silently with outstretched hands.
DEPARTING CHURCH:
• When you come to leave you will be directed by the Stewards. Please move towards the outer aisle in the order that you are in your pew. DO NOT cross over anyone. DO NOT use the centre aisle.
• Walk around the outer edge – across the foot of the sanctuary if necessary - and out of the side door keeping 1 metre apart at all times. Please DO NOT start a conversation until you are outside the church.
• Do Not Congregate immediately outside the door as others need to leave. (Vacating the church is essential as we will need to deep-clean and sanitise after Mass.)
By all means congregate in distanced groups on the lawn weather permitting, where Fr John hopes to join you – when anyone who wishes may join him for a chat – observing the 1-metre-distancing rule.
CONFESSIONS
As usual Fr John is available for outside Confessions. Please ring 01279 429388 for an appointment.
