Christmas Mass Protocol at St. Lawrence’s 2020
At the beginning of December, it was announced that there would be 1 Vigil Mass on 24 December at 7:00 p.m. and 2 Christmas Day Masses, at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and it would be necessary for parishioners to register their interest to attend their preferred Mass by recording their name and numbers on Registration Forms located at the back of the church.
However, registration for attendance at the Vigil Mass at 7:00 p.m. proved to be so popular that it would not be possible to allow all that wished to attend to do so and be compliant with COVID-19 Regulations. The maximum number of parishioners that can be accommodated at St. Lawrence’s within these Regulations is 27 people and 35 people had registered to attend.
To accommodate the preference of parishioners to attend a Vigil Mass on 24 December an additional Mass was introduced with a start time of 5:00 p.m.
It is, therefore, necessary to re-open registration so that parishioner’s preferences can be more appropriately accommodated. New registration forms have been placed at the back of the church for this purpose. However, parishioners may also register their attendance and the number of people who will be attending, by telephone, (01349 830427), or via email to Eddie McCall, (eddymccall@aol.com), our nominated Covid Health & Safety Representative. Eddie will ensure that each of the Masses meets the Covid-19 Attendance Regulations. Should any specific mass exceed the maximum number of 27 people Eddie will ask if there is a preferred alternative and, with your agreement, register you to attend as agreed.
We at St. Lawrence’s are in a very fortunate position to be able to engage in public worship, there are some churches within the Diocese that are unable to hold public worship at Mass, and we would not want that privilege to be withdrawn because of our non-compliance with Government and RCDA guidelines for the safe conduct at our Masses.
The guidelines have been laid down by the Scottish Government and RCDA. The main ones that Parishioners should be familiar with, are as follows and your compliance with them is very necessary and appreciated:
At the beginning of December, it was announced that there would be 1 Vigil Mass on 24 December at 7:00 p.m. and 2 Christmas Day Masses, at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and it would be necessary for parishioners to register their interest to attend their preferred Mass by recording their name and numbers on Registration Forms located at the back of the church.
However, registration for attendance at the Vigil Mass at 7:00 p.m. proved to be so popular that it would not be possible to allow all that wished to attend to do so and be compliant with COVID-19 Regulations. The maximum number of parishioners that can be accommodated at St. Lawrence’s within these Regulations is 27 people and 35 people had registered to attend.
To accommodate the preference of parishioners to attend a Vigil Mass on 24 December an additional Mass was introduced with a start time of 5:00 p.m.
It is, therefore, necessary to re-open registration so that parishioner’s preferences can be more appropriately accommodated. New registration forms have been placed at the back of the church for this purpose. However, parishioners may also register their attendance and the number of people who will be attending, by telephone, (01349 830427), or via email to Eddie McCall, (eddymccall@aol.com), our nominated Covid Health & Safety Representative. Eddie will ensure that each of the Masses meets the Covid-19 Attendance Regulations. Should any specific mass exceed the maximum number of 27 people Eddie will ask if there is a preferred alternative and, with your agreement, register you to attend as agreed.
We at St. Lawrence’s are in a very fortunate position to be able to engage in public worship, there are some churches within the Diocese that are unable to hold public worship at Mass, and we would not want that privilege to be withdrawn because of our non-compliance with Government and RCDA guidelines for the safe conduct at our Masses.
The guidelines have been laid down by the Scottish Government and RCDA. The main ones that Parishioners should be familiar with, are as follows and your compliance with them is very necessary and appreciated:
- Maximum Attendance with 2 metre distancing - 27 per Mass
- Controlled entrance and exit to and from the church
- Sanitising of hands on entrance and exit to and from the church
- All those who attend must wear face masks/coverings whilst in church
- Track and Trace contact information collected
- 2 metre social distancing to be maintained at all times
- No congregation singing – the only singing allowed is by the Mass celebrant and/or designated Cantor
- Appropriate arrangements are made for receiving Communion