Coronavirus

Coronavirus / Covid 19

Decmber 2021

We continue to observe Government Guidelines, requesting people to wear masks in Church and to use the hand sanitiser provided. When taking refreshments in the Hall afterwards, masks are not required. We make arrangements to spread people out in the space available and our Church and Hall are well ventilated.

'Freedom Day' - 19th July 2021

Following Step 4 of the government's roadmap out of restrictions, we at St. Martin's have decided to proceed cautiously, relaxing restrictions gradually while keeping an eye on the local figures.

Our first decision has been to return to having a full Sung Mass with Congregational singing on at our Parish Mass on Sunday mornings.

We request that people continue to wear masks, but it is now legal not to do so, so if you decide not to, please leave a little more distance, especially thinking of those in front of you while singing.

The third lockdown commenced on 5th January 2021. This time Public Worship was not suspended, so the Church has continued to hold our usual Services according to the regular schedule:

Sundays - Parish Mass at 10.15 a.m.

Tuesdays - Mass at 7.00 p.m.

Thursdays - Mass at 10.30 a.m.

Hand sanitizer must be used on entering the Church, face-coverings must be worn, and social distancing observed. From 17th May, we may now speak to each other in groups of six within the Church.

---

The second lockdown was from 5th November until 2nd December, during which the Church was open during our usual times of Worship for Private Prayer.

---

Following the first lockdown, Saint Martin's Church re-opened for Public Worship on Sunday July 5th for our Parish Mass shown below:

On the previous Sunday - June 28th - we re-opened for private prayer only, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and we were pleased that a significant number of our people came along.

Since the Lockdown, Father Gorran had been saying a Private Mass for us at the above times, first in the Vicarage, and then from Ascension Day, 21st May, in Church.

During this period, we were him in spirit, using his weekly Sunday Leaflets and Letters, and the Spiritual Communion prayers.

Father Gorran back in Church on Ascension Day:

Before then, for two months after Mothering Sunday on 22nd March Father Gorran was saying Mass at his Altar in the Vicarage, shown below:

Father Gorran's Altar in the Vicarage - from here he could see the Church through his landing window as he said the Mass.

And here it is in the brilliant sunshine on Easter Sunday!

---

Prayer
During this time, it is all the more important that we turn to God in prayer:
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen