Glin Parish – Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Safety guidelines for the resumption of community celebration of Masses.

After a long wait we can now return to our Churches for public worship.  I want to welcome you back and hope you can attend in safety and without fear, however we need to be concerned about social Distancing. Hygiene, and protection of each other. The Church will be prepared as much as possible to enable this to happen.

1. This will require checking the numbers we can cater for especially at weekend Masses and arranging the seating for social distancing. The obligation to be at Sunday Mass will not apply for the time being. Many may still not feel at ease coming into the Church for Health and Safety reasons. You are welcome but you must take responsibility for your own decision. If you have concerns about your health and the risks involved, please consider staying away for your own safety. We all need to be aware of the National guidelines and act accordingly. This is a new situation for all of us.
2. Hand Hygiene is essential and face masks are recommended. The seatsand door handles etc need to be wiped down before and after each service and volunteers are needed from the congregation for this. The toilets will be closed except for emergencies and those who use the facilities are responsible for hygiene there. Sanitation stations will be at the entrance and near the Sanctuary area for all who attend. Readers and Eucharistic Ministers need to take special care and prepare for this new situation.
3. Stewarding will have to be in place and followed. I am asking people to volunteer for this especially at weekends. They will be at the entrance to help people to the available seats and also to look after people with special needs etc. I hope we have enough to form a rota and that it won’t be a burden on anybody.
4. Collection Boxes will be available for your envelopes and contributions rather than the open baskets we normally use.  Thank you for your patience and cooperation.    

Fr. Tom Crawford.