Mass Under COVID Restrictions
18th March 2021
NORTHERN BISHOPS ANNOUNCE THAT PUBLIC WORSHIP MAY RESUME IN NORTHERN IRELAND FROM FRIDAY 26th MARCH
Public Mass will resume in St Brigid's parish on Saturday 27th March at 6.00 pm - for a full list of mass times for Holy week and Easter please click HERE
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We have created a video to advise worshippers on the arrangements for public Mass
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Guidelines & Restrictions for the celebration of Mass in St Brigid's
- Please see the Liturgy for Mass and Confession times
- Parishioners are again reminded that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays/Holy Days is still active
- Because it will be possible for people to come as individuals or as household groups it is not possible to be precise about the maximum capacity but it has been set at about 275 people at each Mass.
- Funerals and Weddings are allowing up to 275 also (church capacity)
- Baptisms has changed also to allow more than 10 persons to attend
- Please be aware that to maintain safe attendance levels within the church, the doors will be closed one minute before the start of Mass each time and no one can be admitted after that.
- Places will be available on a first come: first served basis and when all the seating stations (see video) are occupied, no more worshippers will be able to be admitted
- Face Coverings are mandatory when entering and exiting the church and should be worn throughout services.
- Observe social distancing and use the sanitizer at the Church Entrance.
- The Church doors are closed at one minute before Mass – the Church cannot be entered once Mass begins.
- Take a seat and remain there until the end of Mass; children must remain with their parents, and in the seat, at all times;
- Do not sit beside anyone who is not a member of your household;
- For those who wish to receive Holy Communion, remain in your seat and Holy Communion will be brought to you; Holy Communion is to be received in the hand;
- When leaving the Church follow the instructions and leave according to the indicated “One-way” system;
- Anyone with cold-like symptoms must not enter the Church;
- Those with under lying health issues are advised to remain at home;
- Toilet facilities are not available;
- Holidaymakers returning from other countries should not attend mass for two weeks.
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Attendance Considerations
In order to give as many parishioners as possible the opportunity to attend Mass, you are asked not to come more than once per week at present. Also - each of the neighbouring Parishes will be trying to serve their parishioners in a similar way. So please respect that by attending only our own church.
Safety for all concerned - at Mass and in the whole community - is our overriding desire so please do not come if you have been asked by your doctor to shield or if you have any actual or suspected COVID-19 symptoms.
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The latest version of the guidance video is shown below and we have created some FAQs that will hopefully cover items that you may be wondering about. They are shown below the video.