St. Joseph's R.C. Church
Oldends Lane
Stonehouse
Gloucestershire
GL10 2DG
Presbytery Telephone: 01453 822121
E-mail: stonehouse.stjoseph@parish.cliftondiocese.com
Sunday Mass 9am
Before attending Church, please read the latest guidance in the Newsletter on What's On in addition to the guidance below.
OFFICIAL MESSAGE: SUNDAY MASSES TO RESUME ON 19TH JULY (except 5.00pm)
Firstly, I am very grateful for the dedication shown by those who have cared to the church and for deep-cleaning it during the preceding lockdown. Now, at last, with the exception of the 5pm at Woodchester, we will be resuming Sunday Masses from 12th July (9.00am at St Joseph’s & 11am at The Annunciation).
There will be restrictions in place to protect against the spread of the virus: You will be greeted by a Steward who will advise about hand-sanitization and ask for your contact info. They will also take your temperature with a non-touch thermometer. They will have with them a box, in which you can put any money for the weekly collection (as we cannot use our usual collection plate – counters will be advised to leave the count until the following week in order to comply with the need to forego handling the collection for 72 hours). You will then be ushered inside, the pews and aisles will have been marked off (one side for families and the other for individual parishioners).
Unfortunately numbers are limited on account of the restricted space (50 people at Woodchester and 20 at St Jo’s.)
In addition, the form that the Mass takes will be simplified (short homily!). There is to be no Sign of Peace or Bidding Prayers nor is there any music. All readings will be done by myself and Deacon Bogdan. There won’t be the Prayer of the Faithful. There won’t be a children’s liturgy, or offertory procession. Communion is to be on the hand only – please stay seated until a steward guides you to go up. You must not speak when receiving communion. No reusables, such a hymn books, will be available, and we ask you to take home any hand-outs (those left behind will be destroyed).
Deacon Bogdan and myself (both of us “vulnerable”) will not be permitted to “socialize” and will “appear and disappear!”
The use of the sacristy will be for the priest himself; he will prepare the necessary robes and vessels for Mass and cleanse them afterwards. Because of the simplicity that Mass will take, there will not be the need of Altar Servers. Further details will be explained as Mass proceeds.
Though this message is full of negatives, I hope you will recognize the Lord at the Breaking of Bread - He does not abandon his people.
I am extremely indebted to the people who have already been caring for the safety of the people who come to church, and I am very grateful for those who have offered generously to prepare and oversee this next stage.
Fr Bill
For Fr. Bill's latest sermon, please check out the newsletter under 'What's on'.
Support for Vulnerable people
For details of organisations that support vulnerable people during this crisis please visit https://www.stonehousetowncouncil.com/your-council/coronavirus-covid-19-information/.
Church Cleaning
We require a team of cleaners and stewards, so if you can contribute please do send us an e-mail to the above address. You just need to be over 18, not have any underlying health issues or live with anyone who is shielding. Many thanks!
CLIFTON DIOCESE. A Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 10462076. A registered charity number 1170168. Registered Office: St Ambrose North Road Leigh Woods Bristol BS8 3PW