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 current 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.
• All doors and windows must remain open during the service.
ARRIVING AND ENTERING CHURCH:
• Make sure you allow plenty of time: We would suggest 15 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.
COMMUNION:
• 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 or in the hall for tea and biscuits, 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 current 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.
• All doors and windows must remain open during the service.
ARRIVING AND ENTERING CHURCH:
• Make sure you allow plenty of time: We would suggest 15 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. Please use the sanitiser provided.
- 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.
- With the easing of Covid restrictions, there is now no need to be guided to a seat by the stewards, however when choosing where to sit, you should maintain a safe distance to
'non-bubble' parishioners next to you - If you have restricted movement, please only sit in the front pew and you will receive Communion in your place..
- The Sign of Peace is not proclaimed or to be shared.
COMMUNION:
• 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 or in the hall for tea and biscuits, 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.
