Sunday Mass 6th December 2020

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are looking forward to welcoming parishioners, visitors and friends to St Bede's as we always have done.

Sunday Masses are limited to 90 booked online and 20 reserved for those who are unable to do so, we strongly advise you to register for a seat to guarantee a place. Families from the same household may sit together, but one ticket is required per person. If you find yourself unable to attend please cancel the booking via the confirmation email you received. The bookings are open up to 1 hour before Mass so someone else may be delighted to find a free space.

When all online tickets are sold out, do try and attend a weekday Mass as the Sunday obligation is still suspended. The weekday Masses do not require booking and you can attend unannounced. If the weekday Mass is also not an option then you may come in early to church before our Sunday Masses. Our volunteer stewards will do their best to find you a space but be aware that, in order to keep us all safe and our church COVID-19 compliant, they may need to reluctantly turn you away when the set maximum limit is reached.

You will notice the NHS Test and Trace QR code displayed at certain locations in our church. We strongly encourage you download the official COVID-19 NHS App for your smartphone and scan the QR Code as you enter the church. It's the fastest way of knowing when you're at risk from coronavirus (COVID-19) and helps protect you, your loved ones and our community.

We have to keep each other safe. So in accordance with the guidelines of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales,

Please don't register or come to Mass or enter the church if you or someone in your household has a temperature, a cough, or flu like symptoms.

Additional information:

• When attending Mass please wear your own face mask or face covering at all times except when receiving Holy Communion.

• Please apply hand sanitiser when entering and leaving the church, either your own or use the one provided inside the entrance to the Cloister.

• Please follow the instructions of the volunteer stewards who will direct you to where to sit and please keep young children with you at all times.

• Holy Communion will be under one kind and to be received in your outstretched hands. Please follow the instructions of the stewards when coming forward to receive Holy Communion and maintain social distancing at all times. Keep your mask on whilst in the queue until you are a step away from receiving the host.

• Toilets and Cloister areas remain closed, please also keep the Cloister are clear by not waiting in it.

We'll have four volunteer stewards at each Mass to welcome you, show you to your place and make sure you are kept safe at all times. So please don't worry about coming back - you'll be well looked after.

In order to facilitate the safe entry and exit we have divided the church into four colour zones see image below, the exits for each zone is also specified.

We have now been able to open our church hall to avail extra space for those who want to join us. This booking allows you to take part in our Sunday Mass whilst being seated in the church hall where a live projection of the Mass will be shown.

This enables you to take part in worship in an area with smaller numbers within the church grounds but most importantly, receive the Blessed Sacrament of Holy Communion that will be brought to you by our Priest or Deacon.

PARKING

Maintaining social distance and minimising contact is also important when leaving the church so we ask that if you book tickets in the RED or GREEN or Church Hall areas you park your vehicle at the St Bede's Church car park, those booking tickets in the BLUE or YELLOW areas please park at the St Bede's School car park that will be open during all Sunday masses.

When coming to Mass, please arrive at the front main doors of the church in good time no later than 15 minutes before start , to allow for each person to sanitise their hands while maintaining the social distancing. Please also ensure that you wear face coverings/masks prior to entering the church building.

Mass will be wonderful but will be different after so many months it will be great to be back at Mass and receive Holy Communion. But we will all notice some differences, including a limited congregation in set places, increased spacing between pews which has created a light and airy feeling.

Baskets will be placed by the exits for weekly offerings however, to minimise our contact with cash and coins, please donate via our virtual collection basket prior to attending, your generosity is highly appreciated.

We are very much looking forward in joyful anticipation to celebrating Mass together.

With warmest wishes and copious blessings to you and your family,

Fr Dominic, Fr Leo and Dcn Tony