Welcome Letter to Bishop-elect, Karol

Bishop Greg informs Clergy of new appointment

Entry to the church

Singular entrances to church are suggested, with the use of a different exit where possible.

Sign in sheets:

Please ensure you are collecting the names of those attending your churches. A shared pen can be used so as long there is sanitiser placed near the sign-in sheet and people are sanitising their hands both before and after the use of the pen. Because of privacy concerns the details would best be collected on individual sheets to ensure the privacy of those visiting the churches and placed in a secure box. Alternatively you could consider encouraging the use of their own pen or an online registration system. 

Frequency:

The number of Masses could be increased to ensure greater access to communion by members of the community. (Note, however, that three is the maximum number a priest can celebrate Vigil/Sunday. On weekdays a second Mass may be celebrated for a genuine pastoral reason e.g. a funeral or wedding.)

Access:

Parishes will need to work out methods that work for them to ensure an equitable access to available Masses. Rotation rosters could be considered. Parishes must not exceed the maximum number of people permitted on their premises. 

Hand sanitisation:

All members of the community are to sanitise their hands on entry into a church.  It is important that all clergy strictly adhere to hand sanitisation requirements and be seen publicly to be doing this.

The priest would use hand sanitiser before Mass commences, prior to the distribution of Communion, after the distribution of Communion, and any other time during Mass after his hands have come into contact with a solid surface

If clergy are unwell they should not be celebrating Mass. This also applies to those assisting. 

Physical Distance (2sqm per person effective 29^th June 2020):

A simple spacing method in your church could be developed. Consider sectioning off pews, marking with tape to indicate where people can sit and reminding people to ensure there is a pew between them and the person in front of them when lining up for communion.

Throughout the celebration of Mass the appropriate physical distancing, the mandated number limit and the space requirement of 2 sqm per person will be maintained in every church site.

Collections: 

While being able to maintain social distancing, a single drop point for collection could be arranged for Masses if other provisions have not been made.

Procession of Gifts: 

For the moment the procession of gifts should be omitted. 

Concelebrating Clergy/Deacons:

A deacon is to receive Holy Communion by Intinction before the priest receives from the chalice.  If there is one concelebrating priest, a second chalice may be placed with the breads to be consecrated for the people, away from where the priest recites the words of consecration. If there are several priests concelebrating, a second chalice is to be consecrated from where they are to receive Communion by Intinction. Consecration of hosts: Bread for Communion for the faithful, (and those for concelebrating priests) are to be placed on  a  second  corporal towards  the  side  of  the  altar. 

This  allows  the  priest  to offer  the  words  of  consecration  directly  over  the  bread and chalice which he alone will consume. Breads for consecration for the faithful and concelebrating priests (and the chalice for concelebrating priests) are placed towards the side on the altar.

Distribution of Holy Communion: 

A small table should be placed at each Communion station, with an unfolded purifier and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

Appropriate to the size of your community, please minimise the number of people distributing hosts at each mass.  Communion from the cup is suspended.

Communicants may only receive Communion via the hand and not directly onto the tongue. This is under constant review.

During the distribution of Communion the consecrated host should be placed into the hand of the community member without touching it. Should accidental contact be made, temporarily stop the distribution of Communion and re-sanitise hands.

All consecrated hosts are to be consumed except for those needed for Holy Communion for the sick and dying and for Reservation for Adoration during private prayer times.

It would be timely to encourage the correct reception of Holy Communion to minimise hand contact. Please give simple instruction to your community members prior to the distribution of Communion or prior to Mass. Simple instructions will lead to better outcomes. 

Sign of Peace:

The invitation to the faithful to exchange a sign of peace is to be omitted at this time.

Dismissal:

Consideration should be given to dismissing your community members row by row at the end of mass to minimise contact. This will become particularly important in the scaling up of numbers. 

At Risk Community Members:

Those who are at higher risk from COVID-19 should be encouraged to stay home. 

Church cleaning:

Church sites will be cleaned after each service.

Due to the proximity of the aged care facility and the church in Wallaroo, Fr Matthew Newman, parish priest, with the Bishop's blessing has taken the precautionary measure of temporarily closing Star of the Sea Church in Wallaroo.

The Thursday morning and Saturday evening Mass will now be offered at the Kadina church.