The Pontifical Academy
for Life

has published a document
dedicated to the consequences of the world health crisis and its interpretation.

To read the document entitled

"HUMANA COMMUNITAS
IN THE AGE OF PANDEMIC"

click on the document link below:

6 June 2020

Important up-date:BCOS Covid 19 Link

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland (BCOS) has provided a link to various documents regarding preparations to re-open churches: 

https://www.bcos.
org.uk/COVID19/tabid/
127/Default.aspx
 

PLEASE NOTE:

Since the files and documents will be updated frequently, ONLY THE MOST RECENT VERSIONS WILL BE IN USE.  Therefore, in the interests of health and safety and to avoid confusion, downloading the information is NOT recommended at this time.

Please read the online information regularly to keep up-to-date with the latest advice.

------------------

Phase 1:         
Thursday 19th March
Our church buildings were closed.

Phase 2:         
From Monday 22^nd June
Funeral Masses may be celebrated in the Diocese of Paisley. The maximum permitted congregation is 15 people and appropriate stewarding and sanitation measures must be in place.
From Sunday 28^th June and Sunday 5^th July.
Churches may be opened for personal prayer provided appropriate stewarding and sanitation are in place. 
From Monday 6^th July.
Churches may be opened on weekdays for personal prayer, provided that appropriate stewarding and sanitation measures are in place.
 
Phase 3:         
From 15th July
Places of worship open to extended groups subject to physical distancing
and hygiene safeguards.
Relaxation of restrictions to attendance at funerals, baptisms and marriages beyond close family.
 
Phase 4:         
At a date to be decided.
Mass gatherings resume in line with public health advice.
All ceremonies can take place, with improved hygiene and other precautions.

-----------------------

St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Churches
will re-open for Mass
on 1^st/2^nd August.
 



CLICK ON THE DOCUMENT LINKS
BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS
CONCERNING RESUMPTION OF MASS
+
TICKETING

14 JULY 2020

FOR FULL DETAILS CLICK ON THE LINK:

https://www.bcos. org.uk/COVID19/tabid/ 127/Default.aspx

SUMMARY DETAILS IN SIDE COLUMN
--------------------------------------

12 July 2020
 
Dear Parishioner
 
COVID-19 Update.
 
The First Minister Announced on Thursday of last week that we are now moving into Phase 3 of the easing of lockdown and the Re-Opening of Our Churches. The Diocesan Working Party met on Friday to consider the way forward in our Diocese. On Monday 13 July the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland will meet to discuss the next step in the process and in due course they will provide clarity on the Government’s position and also give their directives for the Church in Scotland moving forward in Phase 3.
 
Please be aware that this is a phased process and as such we are not obliged to do anything as a parish community until we have the proper stewarding; sanitation measures are in place, and that there are proper and clear markings to manage and control safe distancing.
 
From Wednesday 15^th July, Mass with a congregation MAY be celebrated in the Diocese of Paisley. The maximum number of people for any Mass in Church will be 50, except for funerals which will be 20. The target date for the first public Mass at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s parishes will be the weekend of 1^st /2^nd August. I am confident that everything will be in place by then.
 
The Scottish Government has insisted that we keep a record of everyone attending every Mass that is celebrated during the COVID-19 period until we are given the all clear from the pandemic. This regulation is part of the ‘Track and Trace Policy’ of the government that is essential for containing the virus and keeping people safe. It is, therefore, a matter of the utmost importance that we keep an accurate record of the names of all attendees and their contact details. We have details of a small number of parishioners who have already registered, all others will be asked to give basic details prior to being admitted for Mass. Your cooperation and patience in this matter is gratefully appreciated.
 
Parishioners who have registered will receive their ‘Season Ticket’ one week prior to the church re-opening. Tickets are not transferrable! If a parishioner is unable to attend Mass on any given day they are obliged to email the parish or to call the presbytery leaving their name and seat number. In this way someone else will have access to their seat for that Mass.
 
I will be in touch, as and when, I have more information to share. Meantime, spread the word and ask your family, friends and neighbours who haven’t registered to do so ASAP.
 
I look forward to being with you and your family at our first Masses in August.                               

Keep well and stay safe!
Canon Eddie

19th June 2020
"I am writing this letter to you to keep you informed and updated on what has been called ‘The Route Map’ to unlocking, and, to explain what impact it will have on the Catholic community. At the moment I am making contact with all known parishioners - using the current data base and the parish website to do so.

Unfortunately, not all parishioners have registered or have access to the internet.
Therefore, I ask you please to help me by reaching out to your family, friends and neighbours who are parishioners to let them know what is happening and encourage them to get in touch by completing and returning the Parish Registration Form." 
                                                                                                                     Canon Eddie

TO READ THE FULL TEXT OF CANON EDDIE'S LETTER(S) 
and TO ACCESS PARISH REGISTRATION FORM(S) 
PLEASE CLICK ON THE RELEVANT DOCUMENT LINK(S) 

Please be aware BEFORE Volunteering - 

You should NOT volunteer if:
* you have any current symptoms of Covid-19
   (Cough / Temp / Loss of Smell / Taste) 
* you have a current condition requiring you to Shield from Covid-19
 

Recent changes to the Guidelines:
* Parishioners aged 70 or over, pregnant women and those who receive the flu jab for
   medical reasons are currently able to leave their homes for essential purposes.
* Young volunteers (16-18 year-olds) can offer to assist with cleaning churches.

You should be cautious regarding volunteering if you :
*are pregnant
*suffer from any chronic liver/kidney diseases 
* are currently taking immunosuppressant medications 
* have asthma/COPD or any chronic respiratory condition 
* are taking medication for heart disease/vascular disease/stroke prevention

In making a decision to come to church
you are asked always to follow Scottish Government/Diocesan advice.
At all times, be safe and keep well.

Welcoming, inspection and instruction
Volunteers in this group will be responsible for welcoming parishioners and checking they have a ticket. They would also check that they have a face mask on (masks will be provided if required) and instruct them to use the hand sanitiser before entering the building and to do so again when they leave. They will also ask them to enter the church by the designated door and follow the instructions of the pass-keepers.

Pass-keepers – Directing
The pass-keepers will direct traffic along the ‘one-way system’ and point them in the direction of their seat. They will also direct parishioners to and from the Sanctuary for Holy Communion. At the end of Mass, they will direct everyone, row by row, to leave the church in an orderly manner along the ‘one-way system’. Clear and visible signage will be in place to help show the route to be followed and to remind parishioners to keep a safe distance of 2 metres.
 
Cleaning Services – Hygiene


This group requires many volunteers to cover Masses on a rota basis. The more people we have the less time is required to clean. Anyone taking a seat, if not exempt for health or other reasons, will be encouraged to join a team from the Mass they attend each week.
All PPE material/equipment will be provided. It is hoped that each team will have four members to undertake a meticulous clean of the church lasting
no more than 30 minutes.
 

First Aid
Parishioners who are nurses or trained in First Aid will be recruited to assist parishioners in distress or emergency health situations (using PPE) as and when required.
 

----------------------------------------------