Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has issued guidelines regarding current arrangements on public Masses. See below the concise, practical extract.
Confessions
In line with the current restrictions and guidelines, I can offer hearing confessions in St Joseph’s, Woodside per individual arrangement. There are a few important caveats.
Reopening the church for Masses
From 15th July we are able to celebrate Mass with a congregation present in the church. It’s a welcome development, but for the time being there will be some restrictions in place in order to minimise the risk of infection by Covid-19. Those restrictions will affect us in the following ways:
BCOS Documents on Reopening of Churches
In May 2020 the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland established four working groups; an Infection Control Group, Pastoral Ministry Group, Seminary Formation Group and Episcopal Finance Committee, to advise them on various aspects of how Church life would be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These documents have been developed by the above working groups to inform, advise and support parish communities about how to plan for churches re-opening to the public. Continue reading →
Alone Together
CTVC in partner with Million Minutes and Father Christopher Jamison OSB, have created a series of online resources to help people live through the pandemic based on real people such as monks and nuns. Continue reading →
Catholicism in a time of Coronavirus
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a great and unexpected trial. But for Catholics this trial is not only economic, social, or medical—it is spiritual.” Continue reading →
Message from Bishop Hugh for First Communion and Confirmation Classes
Bishop Hugh Gilbert, OSB, has recorded two special messages for the children, catechists & teachers and parents who are preparing for their First Confession & First Communion or Confirmation at this time.
Financial Information for Parishioners
The present global pandemic is having a profound effect on everyone. It presents an enormous challenge to us all. That challenge is survival, survival in all sorts of ways: physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially.
Apart from the very real difficulties of continuing sacramental and pastoral care, the Church also faces serious financial challenges, particularly as long as churches are closed and there are no public liturgies. In order to secure the future financial viability of parishes, a set of Interim Guidelines has been issued to all parishes by the Diocesan Trustees. I think it’s important to share some of the key points and extracts with you all. Continue reading →
Financial Support
The current situation is badly affecting individuals, families and businesses. Many face very difficult decisions on a daily basis and now it’s exacerbated by a very uncertain future. Because our churches remain closed to fight the coronavirus threat, our usual means of upkeeping the parish (Sunday collection) isn’t possible. Some of you have asked how they could continue to support our parish financially, some of you have already made donations (for which I am very grateful). I’m writing this extremely reluctantly because I understand that many of you struggle to keep yourselves above the water.
Mass Online: Practical Advice
Usually, we go to church to attend Mass. With the temporary suspension of Masses celebrated publicly due to the coronavirus crisis, Mass online remains one of very few, if not the sole way of attending. I’d like to offer a few practical suggestions to make ‘watching’ Mass more participatory.