Father John writes:

Next Sunday , the 19th July, we hope to be celebrating Mass in our church once again.

I doubt if the church will be completely finished but it may be possible (for a limited number of worshippers – using our hall as well as the Church).  That will be my last Sunday as your parish priest.

Fr Behr will moving in on Monday – so you will be able to welcome him on Sunday the 26th July!

Public Masses here in Tenterden are being held under very specific constraints from Sunday July 12th, as follows:

1. Firstly, PLEASE read the documents “Guidance for the celebration of Mass” and “Track and Trace” on our Parish Website under the Coronavirus heading. These detail the constraints under which we will be operating and the way in which the service will be conducted. This will, of necessity, be very different from what you are used to experiencing.

2. Every weekday Mass (10am) will use the Sunday scripture readings, prayers etc so that as many parishioners as possible can join in the previous Sunday’s liturgy

3. The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays is still suspended.

4. There is no obligation to attend Mass at all at present, particularly if you feel unsafe or at risk.

5. As the Mass will be the same every day of the week, please only attend once a week to allow other people to attend.

6. If you would feel safer wearing a mask and/or gloves, please feel free to do so.

7. There will be a strict control on the numbers able to attend. This will be 14 people per Mass until the Church is ready for use again. Once the Church and Parish Centre are in use, the number will be restricted to 30.

8. Groups of people in agreed “bubbles” may attend together and the head count can be adjusted to accommodate these circumstances.

9. When only the Parish Centre is in use (before the Church refurbishments are completed), there will be a one-way system in use.
a. Entrance off Turner’s Avenue,
b. Exit via the fire exit into the garden.

10. The flow described in 9 above will be used during the distribution of Holy Communion. Please come up to the distribution point, maintaining social distance, exit via the fire exit and re-enter the Parish Centre via the main entrance, having said your personal private thanks as you walk. The final prayers and blessing will follow. Please leave via the fire exit. There will be no social gatherings after the service. We will be adopting Version 1 from the document.

11. If you feel you are unable to walk around the garden in this way, there will be a limited space made available for you at a designated place in the Parish Centre (initially), where you will receive communion at your place.

12. In the event of a second lockdown, as there are currently concerns about the “R” number in the Ashford area, these arrangements will be terminated by the civil authorities, with little to no notice. Please bear with us and we will try and keep you updated via the Parish Website.

I have asked Deacon Jolyon to co-ordinate the Mass attendance numbers and names. Please contact him by email preferably on jolyonvickers@rcaos.org.uk to advise him each time you wish to attend Mass. He will then confirm asap if there is a space available for you. In difficulties, please ring him on 01580 766449.

Please could you also email Deacon Jolyon, if you are able to offer yourself as a volunteer steward and post service cleaner.

PLEASE DO NOT TURN UP UNANNOUNCED OR LATE, AS YOU MAY HAVE TO BE TURNED AWAY