Coronavirus - H&N Announcements ...

Hello to you all,

Below are pages concerning announcements for our parish, deanery & diocese.

#GodBless+

+++ 18th March 2020 - Start of Coronavirus Update

Summary in brief pertaining to St. John’s ...

No Masses will be celebrated in the church following Thursday 19th March 9.15am Mass until further notice.

There will be no Mass on Friday evening 20th March 2020.

For Fr. Harriott’s security, as the church of St. John’s is semi isolated, the church in this instance will not remain open (hopefully all parishioners will accept this).

We will distribute the forthcoming decisions of the Bishops for the Holy Week ceremonies as soon as it becomes available.

Please also visit the diocese website for more information.

http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php

+++ 18th March 2020 - End of Coronavirus Update

+++ 4th March 2020 - Start of Coronavirus Update

Following guidance received from the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the subsequent guidance received from the EV Northumberland Vicariate Meeting held 3rd March 2020. A meeting was held today with Fr. Harriott to discuss the guidance/recommendations received, it was decided to issue the attached Guidance to St. John’s Parish.

These are guidance/recommendations at the current date 4^th March 2020, should there be any further instructions/recommendations issued we will advise you of these as soon as possible.

Please do not hesitate to speak to Fr. Harriott should you require clarification of any points.

More detailed guidance can be found on the Bishops’ Conference website at this link

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/

NORTHUMBERLAND VICARIATE – PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CORONAVIRUS (Summary)

At their meeting on 4 March 2020, the Clergy discussed the Coronavirus outbreak, including independent medical advice. The Clergy unanimously agreed that, until further notice, the following precautions will be taken in all the churches within the Northumberland Partnerships:

• The distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds is suspended.

• Holy Communion will be distributed in the hand only.

• Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are to wash their hands in hot soapy water or use sanitised gel before and after they distribute Holy Communion.

• The Sign of Peace is suspended.

• Holy Water stoups are to be emptied and/or removed.

• Everyone attending Mass is asked to sanitise their hands as they come into church using sanitised gel dispensers available in porches and entrances.

• Everyone is asked to maintain good personal hygiene, especially at Mass and parish gatherings.

As an additional precaution ...

in addition to the above recommendations,

Fr. Harriott and Gerry Killen in consultation with our Medical Advisor decided to add the following recommendations from Stage 2 of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales - Version 2 issued 27th February 2020

• Advise those most vulnerable (elderly, people with weakened immune systems and long-term conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease) to refrain from large parish gatherings and stay at home.

• Ask anyone with cold or flu symptoms to refrain from attending Liturgy, public events, nor attend the sacrament of reconciliation if symptomatic (They may have an ordinary cold but equally it is important to ensure a precautionary approach).

• Suspend catering (teas, coffees etc.) at large parish gatherings where multiple people touch mugs, utensils, biscuits etc.

Issued via email to St. John’s, AnnitsfordParishioners 4th March 2020 and displayed on the church noticeboard 5th March 2020

+++ 4th March 2020 - End of Coronavirus Update