Following recent guidelines from the Scottish Government, social distancing has had to be reintroduced to the total seating area of our church and both halls.
We had, as you'll have seen over the past months, retained two areas in our church, which were dedicated for social distancing.
The reintroduction of all our seating area being arranged for social distancing means that our seating capacity has been considerably reduced again.
It pains me greatly to have to say this, but in order to avoid people turning up for Mass on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and not being able to get in because we have reached capacity, and also paying heed to the First Minister's message about us making every effort to reduce our social contacts, this Christmas I would urge you to stay in and stay safe.
If you can, participate in either the Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. Vigil or our 10:00 a.m. live streamed Christmas Masses on our YouTube Channel on this link.
If you aren't online, an option is dial a Mass which is on 0141 473 4869.
I said it last year and unfortunately I'm having to say it again this year, that I never ever thought as a priest I would be standing up at Mass and urging people not to come out to Mass.
But these are exceptional times we are living in with this latest variant and the threat that it poses, and therefore exceptional messaging is required.
This Christmas, please, stay in.
If, however, you are coming to Mass, then you are advised to:
Thank you for listening, and all the very best for this final week of Advent and I take this opportunity to wish you a Safe, Happy and Holy Christmas
We had, as you'll have seen over the past months, retained two areas in our church, which were dedicated for social distancing.
The reintroduction of all our seating area being arranged for social distancing means that our seating capacity has been considerably reduced again.
It pains me greatly to have to say this, but in order to avoid people turning up for Mass on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and not being able to get in because we have reached capacity, and also paying heed to the First Minister's message about us making every effort to reduce our social contacts, this Christmas I would urge you to stay in and stay safe.
If you can, participate in either the Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. Vigil or our 10:00 a.m. live streamed Christmas Masses on our YouTube Channel on this link.
If you aren't online, an option is dial a Mass which is on 0141 473 4869.
I said it last year and unfortunately I'm having to say it again this year, that I never ever thought as a priest I would be standing up at Mass and urging people not to come out to Mass.
But these are exceptional times we are living in with this latest variant and the threat that it poses, and therefore exceptional messaging is required.
This Christmas, please, stay in.
If, however, you are coming to Mass, then you are advised to:
- come early
- be prepared that if we are at capacity then unfortunately not everyone will be able to get into the church or hall
- take a lateral flow test that indicates a negative result
- wrap up warm as in order that we have additional ventilation, we will need to return to having the Church fire exit door open as well as having the fire exit doors open in both halls before and throughout Mass.
Thank you for listening, and all the very best for this final week of Advent and I take this opportunity to wish you a Safe, Happy and Holy Christmas
