As the restrictions are lifted public acts of worship can return to normal practice, with some exceptions for the time being. Moving forward, as from 1st September

• ALL the remaining benches are now back in the church and areas at the front are now available for wheelchair users

• The front benchs may be used but priority should be given for those who need to receive communion in their place

• It is recommended that you sanitise your hands as you enter and leave the building. The wearing of face masks is recommended and parishioners should endeavour to space out, wherever possible, from those with whom they are not in a bubble or household.

• Track, Trace and Test information – supporting the NHS, is still requested each and every time you enter the church

• People should continue to exercise good responsible behaviour while they are seated and especially when moving around the church, lighting candles, coming forward to receive Holy Communion, exiting the building etc. You should avoid getting too close to each other.

• To facilitate those who still wish to socially distance when attending mass, on weekdays alternate benches will be ropped off

• Holy water will not be placed in the church but continues to be available on request from the sacristy, when you bring a small bottle or container

• Holy Communion will continue to be given under ONE form and parishioners should exercise good responsible behaviour especially when moving to receive Holy Communion during Mass and should avoid getting too close to each other.

• The sacrament of confession will continue to take place in the William Lampley Room.

Ministers of Holy Communion: will be reintroduced over the next few weeks at the Sunday masses.

Sunday Masses: we will reintroduce the use of hymn books when there is singing. Face coverings should be worn by members of the congregation whilst singing together, until infection levels reduce.September will see the return of Offertory and Communion hymns.

Altar Serving: We invite any children who would like to resume altar serving to ask their parents to email Fr Mark to express their interest. We will be establishing a rota for altar serving with a maximum of four servers at any one mass. Details of training for new altar servers will be given at the end of September and sent to those interested.

Attending Mass: We continue to strongly recommend that those attending mass wear a face covering unless exempt from doing so, and to use the hand sanitiser provided. While appreciating that any number of reasons can cause someone to be late, we do ask all attending weekend and weekday masses to make every effort to be on time. Arriving unnecessarily late for mass is not only a distraction for the priest and congregation, but it dishonours the attention and participation that is due to the celebration of mass. Adults and children who wish to receive a blessing at Holy Communion time are reminded to give a clear indication of this by crossing their arms in front of their chest. All who come forward to receive Holy Communion are asked to consume the Host while facing the altar and before returning to their place. Mass will continue to be live streamed. This continues to be available on the home page of the parish website.