This page will have updates on the coronavirus and how it affects the parish and its services, with information from the diocese.
DIOCESE OF WESTMINSTER
The current position and role of our churches in this phase of the pandemic
Some parishes are receiving letters from the local boroughs which express concern about the opening of churches for communal worship.
Please read the Cardinal’s letter which explains the position of the Diocese at this time.
Third National Lockdown
The government has declared a third national lockdown from Wednesday 6th January 2021.
Places of worship can remain open while keeping all the safety protocols.
Sacred Heart Parish continues to have regular services with the necessary restrictions in place. You can find Mass times on the home page.
This community is doing everything possible to keep you safe during your visits to the church. Please do your part by staying at home if you feel unwell.
National Lockdown has finished- New Tier System.
The government has confirmed that from 2nd December 2020, under the new tier system, places of worship can stay open for collectiveservices.
Sacred Heart Church will re-assume its regular schedule from Thursday 3rd December as follow:
Weekdays
9:15 am Mass on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Weekend
Saturday 11:00 am -12:00 Noon Confessions or by appoitment.
Saturday 6:00 pm Vigil Mass
Sunday 8:30 am Mass and 11:00 am Mass (Via Zoom as well)
National Lockdown from 5th November
The goverment has announced new regulations from Thursday 5th November 2020.
In the light of these regulations churches must be closed and gatherings for communal worship, including the celebration of Mass, baptisms and most weddings are not permitted.
These are the updatas on Holloway parish during the new lockdown.
Mass
Fr. Gideon will continue celebrating daily Mass without congregation.
As it has been since March, Sunday 11:00 am Mass will be broadcasted via Zoom. Link
Private Prayer
The Church can be opened for public prayer and this will be on:
Tuesdays and Fridays 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.
Holy Rosary
We pray the Holy Rosary every Wednesday at 8:30 pm via Zoom.
Guidance on Gatherings from 14th September 2020
The change in government guidance beginning on Monday 14 September has raised many questions about acts of public worship and our activities.
It is important to recognise that the ‘Rule of 6’ applies to social gatherings and not to acts of public worship, work and structured educational and catechetical activities.
Acts of pubic worship continue according to earlier guidance. The number of people attending Mass must respect the capacity of the Church with social distancing and face coverings.
We will work together to stay safe.
Face Coverings
Face coverings will be mandatory in Places of Worship from Saturday 8th August 2020. All those
who are attending churches must wear a face covering unless they are exempt from doing so. This is
for the good of all who gather in the Church for Mass as it is an enclosed public space where there
are people from differing households who they do not normally meet.
Those who are exempt from wearing a face covering can be found here:
Section 3 – When you do not need to wear a face covering
Please make sure you bring your own face covering, the parish cannot afford to provide you with one every time you attend Mass.
This way we can all stay safe!
Public Masses during the Pandemic
We are now allowed to celebrate public masses. Although with some restrictions in place to follow the COVID – 19 government guidelines.
The Bishops have suspended the Sunday Obligation to attend Mass. This is likely to continue for the foreseeable future and this means that we can attend Mass on any of the available days of the week. The Sunday Mass Livestream via zoom will continue.
Please be aware that spaces are limited to 25% of the church’s full capacity. It will be a first come first served system.
We are asking parishioners to fill out a Contact Tracing form every time you come to Mass. One form per household is sufficient. It can also be downloaded from our website and there are hard copies available in church. Thank you for your continued co-operation.