Re-Gathering of The Faith Community In Worship · Re-gathering the Faith Community in Worship In light of the Roadmap for Re-opening Society and Business issued by the Government

Re-Gathering of The Faith

Community In Worship A Roadmap Document for the Pastoral Area

Two Parishes, Two Identities, One Community

A Roadmap Document for the Pastoral Area Two Parishes, Two Identities, One Community

Version 4.3: 18th June 2020 1 | P a g e

Contents Re-gathering the Faith Community in Worship ...................................................................................... 2

Areas for Consideration: ..................................................................................................................... 2

Our Current Position ........................................................................................................................... 3

Government Roadmap ........................................................................................................................ 4

Roadmap for the Pastoral area ........................................................................................................... 5

Phase 1: ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Phase 2: ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Phase 3: ........................................................................................................................................... 7

Phase 3: ........................................................................................................................................... 8

Revised Baptism Preparation .............................................................................................................. 9

Families who had completed preparation steps but the Baptism was Cancelled .......................... 9

Families seeking Baptism for a Child where they have not taken part in the Preparation ............ 9

Baptism Ceremony During Restrictions ............................................................................................ 10

Enabling the Actions within the Baptism Ceremony .................................................................... 10

Resuming Masses / Regathering for Worship................................................................................... 12

The challenges ............................................................................................................................... 12

Tasks ................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Longer View ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Key Messages for the Community .................................................................................................... 13

Practical Plan ..................................................................................................................................... 14

Required ............................................................................................................................................ 14

Signage for .................................................................................................................................... 14

Ministry Involvement .................................................................................................................... 14

Hospitality ..................................................................................................................................... 14

Cleaning ......................................................................................................................................... 14

Communications ........................................................................................................................... 14

Diocesan Sign off Checklist ............................................................................................................... 15

Reference Documents: ..................................................................................................................... 16

Version Control: ................................................................................................................................ 17



Re-gathering the Faith Community in Worship In light of the ‘Roadmap for Re-opening Society and Business’ issued by the Government on the 30th

April 2020, we in the pastoral area are in the process of defining a similar roadmap for enabling the

faith community to gather again in ways of Worship.

It will not be possible, due to requirements for social distancing to protect the health of people, to

resume church services as when they operated before the church buildings closed. Nor is it

desirable to resume such services as if nothing has changed.

While the desire is to re-open our church buildings and to resume activities of a vibrant living faith

community, we must do so cautiously.

Areas for Consideration: The following are the key areas for consideration in determining a phased approach to this:

• Opening the buildings for private prayer

• Opening the buildings for the public celebration of Mass

• Providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation

• Providing the Sacrament of Baptism

• Re-opening our Parish Offices

• Re-opening our Pastoral Centre, Kilian House Family Centre

• Providing safe environment for the staff.

• Providing a safe environment for those using the churches.

• Continuing to reach out, via the webcam, the website and Stay Connected, to those many

who will not be able to come to the church for a range of reasons.

Guidance: In bringing this approach together we tap into the following resources:

• Prayer rooted in the Gospel

• Theological understanding in this time of what can and cannot be done.

• Government document: Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, as issued in April

2020

• Health Service Executive guidelines.

• Diocesan guidelines as they evolve

• Guidelines on Sacraments and Pastoral Care as issued by The Working Group on Infectious

Disease Protocols for Sacraments & Pastoral Care in the USA

• Divine Renovation Leadership Model



Our Current Position Although the church buildings have been closed for a number of months, we continued to gather as

a community though from a distance. Some of the means of staying connected were:

• One weekend Mass from Holy Rosary Church on the Web Camera at 11:30am on Sundays.

• People involved in Mass parts through the use of pre-recorded video within the Mass.

• Members of the community recording themselves singing specific hymns or music and

playing these within the liturgies.

• Providing resources for families to engage with the Gospel of the weekend and guidance for

parents to open the Word with their children.

• Similar resources on the Gospel for adults, giving a structured approach to praying with the

Gospel.

• Recitation of the Rosary at midday over the web camera each day.

• Changing the parish websites from simply providing information to an interactive

engagement with those who come to them.

• Various different liturgies during the weekdays.

• Funerals from Holy Rosary Church only so as to enable those who want to be part of the

ceremony to join by the web camera.

• Night Prayer every night by ZOOM enabling many to have visual contact with others in the

community.

• Daily meetings of the Pastoral Team by ZOOM

• Weekly planning meetings of the Liturgy Groups

• Meetings with the communications and children’s liturgy groups.



Government Roadmap The roadmap for Reopening Services and Businesses as detailed by the Government details five

phases with dates for each phase detailed. Moving into any phase on the stated date is contingent

on there not being significant changes in the rate of infections during the current phase. These

phases, with the elements relevant to religious gatherings are: (see here for the full document)

Phase 1 18th May Open outdoor public amenities and tourism sites (e.g. carparks, beaches, mountain walks etc) where people are non-stationary and where social distancing can be maintained. Continue current restrictions on attendance at funerals to a maximum of ten people and only members of the household, close family or close friends if the deceased has no household or family members.

Phase 2 8th June Open public libraries with numbers limited, social distancing observed and strict hand hygiene on entry. Slightly larger number of people in attendance at funerals but still restricted to immediate family and close friends and limited to a maximum number of mourners for a limited period of time where social distancing can be maintained.

Phase 3 29th June Open playgrounds where social distancing and hygiene can be maintained Phase in opening of all other non-essential retail outlets on basis of restriction on the number of staff and customers per square metre so that social distancing can be maintained. To be limited to retail outlets with street-level entrance and exit i.e. which are not in enclosed shopping centres due to higher risk.

Phase 4 20th July Open museums, galleries, and other cultural outlets where people are non-stationary, social distancing can be maintained and strict hand hygiene on entry. Open religious and places of worship where social distancing can be maintained Small social gatherings by family and close friends limited to a maximum number of attendees for a limited period of time where social distancing can be maintained (e.g. small small weddings, baptisms)

Phase 5 10th August Open theatres and cinemas where social distancing can be maintained

https://assets.gov.ie/73722/ffd17d70fbb64b498fd809dde548f411.pdf



Roadmap for the Pastoral area

Phase 1:

From 20th May Re-open the church buildings to allow people to ‘drop-in’ to pray. Toilet facilities and car parks will remain closed.

Those visiting will be doing so within the guidelines for people such as permitted distance from their home, not meeting other people, and operating social distancing inside and outside of the church building. Hand sanitiser will be available at all of the entrance and exits. In order to minimise the risk to other people using the church, all entering the church are expected to use hand sanitiser as they enter. They need to take sufficient time to ensure their hands are sanitised fully. All leaving the church are encouraged to use hand sanitiser again for their own protection.

Churches: All of the churches where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved will open. This is The Holy Rosary, Greystones. St. Kilian’s, Blacklion, St. Patrick’s, Kilquade, St. Joseph’s, Newtownmountkennedy and St. Anthony’s, Kilcoole

Times: All of the churches will be open from 11am until 5pm, Monday through to Saturday, except the Church of the Holy Rosary which will be open from 2pm to 6pm. Note: the later opening of The Holy Rosary church is to allow for continued streaming of morning Mass at 10am, praying the Rosary at midday and funerals at 1pm. On Sundays: all of the churches will open from 1pm to 5pm.

Restrictions: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will not take place during this phase so as not to encourage gathering or people feeling they need to stay for long periods in the church.

Other Services Weekday Mass at 10am will continue via the webcam from the Holy Rosary.

Church.

Sunday Mass at 11:30am will continue via the webcam from the Holy Rosary

Church.

The Rosary and exposition of the Blessed sacrament will continue via the

webcam from the Holy Rosary Church.

Night Prayer at 8pm will continue each night at 8pm using the ZOOM App.



Phase 2:

From 8th June Provide the Sacrament of Reconciliation on an appointment basis.

Churches: St. Kilian’s, Blacklion and St. Patrick’s, Kilquade These two are best suited for enabling social distancing for a waiting area and access to a sufficiently sized room for privacy of confession.

Date: Starting on Saturday 20th June. Reservation system is in place and will be available from each Monday providing booking for the coming week. 8 time slots will be reserved for people who cannot access it on-line and make a booking through the office.

Times: Saturdays from 3 to 5 pm, by appointment. There will be a process in place to allow for expressing interest by the internet or phone to attend for the Sacrament. Your name will not be required, you will provide a contact number and you will receive a time allocation and an identification number. This may seem strange but it is in order to avoid a gathering of people in the church and also assures those who are anxious about being in an area where people gather that there will be a minimum number of people present.

Procedure Those visiting will be doing so within the guidelines for people such as permitted distance from their home, not meeting other people, and operating social distancing inside and outside of the church. Hand sanitiser will be available at all of the entrance and exits. In order to minimise the risk to other people using the church, all entering the church are expected to use hand sanitiser as they enter. They need to take sufficient time to ensure their hands are sanitised fully. All leaving the church are encouraged to use hand sanitiser again for their own protection. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place in the Sacristy of the church, there will be a designated waiting area in the church body. The Sacrament will be face to face with the priest at a distance of 6 feet apart. If a person has hearing or mobility difficulties they should mention this when registering.

Other Services Weekday Mass at 10am will continue via the webcam from the Holy Rosary.

Church.

Sunday Mass at 11:30am will continue via the webcam from the Holy Rosary

Church.

The Rosary and exposition of the Blessed sacrament will continue via the

webcam from the Holy Rosary Church.

Night Prayer at 8pm will continue each night at 8pm using the ZOOM App.



Phase 3:

From 29th June Resuming Public Masses

Churches: The Holy Rosary, Greystones St. Anthony’s, Kilcoole

Date: From Sunday 5th July

Times: Saturday 6pm & 7:30pm Sunday 10am, 11:30am 6:30pm Weekdays: 10am

There will be 5 Masses at the weekend, two on the Saturday evening and three on Sunday as follows: The Holy Rosary Church, Greystones: 6pm, 11:30am and 6:30pm St. Anthony’s, Kilcoole: 7:30pm and 10am There will be 6 Masses on Weekdays as follows: The Holy Rosary Church, Greystones: Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s at 10am St. Anthony’s, Kilcoole: Tuesday and Thursday at 10am St. Jospeh’s, Newtownmountkennedy: Friday at 10am.

Procedure Our church buildings will be at 25% capacity at best. There will be a detailed set of procedures to ensure we continue to protect all who take part in our liturgies.

Other Services Masses in the Holy Rosary will continue via the webcam.

Sunday Mass at 11:30am will be specifically aimed at those attending via the

webcam.

Sacrament of Reconciliation available on Saturday’s from 3 to 5pm. The need

for reservation will have been reviewed.

Changes with respect to the Rosary at midday and Night Prayer via ZOOM will

be determined in time, once the Masses are in place for a short while.

For the rationale for the use of the specific Church buildings and Mass times see:



Key Messages for the Community on Page 13

For details on accessing the churches for Masses see: Practical Plan on Page 14



Phase 3:

From 29th June Resume the Sacrament of Baptism

Churches: The Holy Rosary, Greystones and St. Anthony’s, Kilcoole These two are best suited for enabling social distancing between families.

Date: Ceremonies taking place on Sunday 26th July and on the 4th Sunday of each month for the following 3 months, increasing if required as numbers increase.

Times: Time yet to be determined. Time will be based on the decision for Mass times for phase 3 and beyond. Elements of the Welcoming ceremony will take place as part of the 11:30 Mass on the second Sunday of the month. Parents will have taken part in a ZOOM call to explain and clarify the ceremony. Within that call, they will be asked to introduce their child by name to each other. This element will be recorded and played as part of a ceremony within the 11:30 Mass streaming. For detail on the revised steps to Baptism see the section on Baptism Preparation in this document.

Procedure Number of attendees per family will be limited based on the Government recommendations for family gatherings. In order to maintain a sense of community gathering within the church for the ceremony, each family unit will be allocated sufficient space to gather together while maintaining social distancing from the other family units. Large gatherings of extended families in the church won’t be possible. Hand sanitiser will be available at all of the entrance and exits. In order to minimise the risk to other people using the church, all entering the church are expected to use hand sanitiser as they enter. Each family will be expected to allocate a family member to wipe down the seating used by them after the ceremony. The necessary gloves, sanitising liquids and wipes will be provided.

Other Services Changes to these are ongoing and are not applicable to this section.



Revised Baptism Preparation A new approach to Baptism preparation is required to address the requirements around social

distancing and limits on gatherings etc. The intention is to resume Baptisms during phase 3 of the

roadmap. These will begin from the 2nd Sunday of July.

Families who had completed preparation steps but the Baptism was Cancelled There are a number of families who have completed the preparation programme for Baptism in

March and April where the Baptism ceremony has not taken place. These families will be offered

the dates in July with the constraints on social distancing and family travel etc. They have the option

to defer the Baptism to a future date if they so wish.

Families seeking Baptism for a Child where they have not taken part in the Preparation The procedure detailed here is for families who have enquired about Baptisms before March but had

not taken part in the preparation elements in place at the time and for all new enquiries for Baptism.

The proposed approach will differentiate between those families who have had a child Baptised in

the parish previously1 and those for whom this is a first child to be Baptised.

Enquiry Is this a first Baby for Baptism? No Yes Conversation What are you looking for? One to One

Conversation Offer dates Dates agreed Gather Meeting with families, taking place on

ZOOM. Introducing children by name will be recorded.

During week 1 of the month

Welcome Video of families introducing the babies

played as part of the Mass 2nd Sunday of the month

Invocation Baptism takes place 4th Sunday of the month

1 Families who had a child Baptised previously, in the past 4 years at least, will have gone through the existing preparation programme.



Baptism Ceremony During Restrictions There will be two ceremonies on any Sunday, one in Holy Rosary the other in St Anthony’s, with 4

families at each. The ceremonies will be at 1pm in both churches.

The ceremony will be open to the Parents, Godparents, Grandparents and siblings of the child to be

Baptised. Spaces for the families will be allocated in order to allow for social distancing requirements

between families. It will be assumed that there are no social distancing requirements between

family members.

With four families taking part, the approach will be such that all can participate through seeing and

hearing what is taking place for each family, not just their own.

The layout will be such so as to minimise the amount of movement for people and crossover.

Due to the layout required and keeping the amount of movement during the ceremony to a minimum it will not be possible to relay these ceremonies over the webcam. In Holy Rosary, the Baptism font won’t be used, rather a bowl will be setup in a central position. In St. Anthony’s, the font can be moved to a central position.

Enabling the Actions within the Baptism Ceremony

Signing of the Cross on the forehead of the child.

Parents and Godparents are invited to sign the cross on the child’s forehead as the celebrant

says:

The Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you for Christ our

Saviour by the sign of his cross.

Reading of the Word

In order for this to be audible to all, it needs to take place using a microphone. Can we setup

a lectern with a wireless microphone on a stand, near to the baptism font being used? If not

possible, then one family to take responsibility for reading and use a cordless microphone

from where they are seated.

Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens

The celebrant will go to each child and anoint it over the heart with the oil of Catechumens,

using a piece of cotton wool with the oil. A separate piece of cotton wool will be used for

each child. A bowl will be required for containing the individual used pieces during the

ceremony.

Pouring of the water

Using a separate jug for each family, the celebrant pours the water over the child’s head

while saying:

Name I Baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Anointing with Chrism

The celebrant will go to each child and anoint it on the head with Chrism, using a piece of

cotton wool with the Chrism. A separate piece of cotton wool will be used for each child.

A bowl will be required for containing the individual used pieces during the ceremony.



White Garment

As normal, one of the Godparents will be invited to wrap the child in the white garment.

Lighting of Baptismal Candle

The celebrant will bring the light from the Paschal Candle to each of the Godparents in turn.

Prayer over the Ears & Mouth- The Ephphatha

The celebrant may pray the Ephphatha blessing over those who have been Baptised,

without the need to touch the ears, eyes or mouth of the child with the words:

N. N, the Lord Jesus made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. May he soon touch

your ears to receive his word and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory

of God the Father. Amen.



Resuming Masses / Regathering for Worship This proposal is for the resumption of Masses from the end of July into September and would be

reviewed in late August or early September, based on the current government and HSE guidelines.

The challenges

• Social distancing – (reducing distance to 1m will have minimal impact inside the church

except for loose seating)

o The capacity for enabling people to enter and leave the church

o Seating

o Movement within the church – for Communion

o Identifying the capacity

o Controlling the numbers – if the seating allows for X what if X + 1 arrives.

o Sanitising the environment between liturgies

o Provision for sanitising as people enter

o Queueing system for people as they arrive

• Capacity

Church Current Seated

Potential Places*

Access Comment

Holy Rosary 350 50 One way system possible

Increase by removing benches in front section and put in chairs. Increase if families there

St. Kilian’s 220 approx 30 – 35 Restricted Small improvement if families there

St. Joseph’s 288 35 One way system possible

Small improvement if families there

St. Patrick’s 300 (inc galleries)

40 Restricted Small improvement if families there

St. Anthony’s 546 90 individuals

Optimum Increase significantly with chairs Increase if families there

Holy Spirit 90 30 – 35 Restricted Reduces if families there

*A place is for individuals or family

Create sections to maximise the numbers of families / couples / individuals

• Liturgies



Key Messages for the Community

Two priests

At this stage we are working on the basis that there are 2 priests available to celebrate the liturgies within both parishes.

Two church buildings.

Our focus is to open two church buildings, The Holy Rosary Church and St. Anthony of Padua church for weekend and weekday public Masses. This allows us to maximise the number who can gather for Mass on any day as these are the churches that can accommodate the largest numbers while allowing for social distancing, ease of access etc. In addition we will open St. Joseph’s for one weekday Mass, in order to allow for those who cannot travel from Newtownmountkennedy.

Five celebrations at weekends and 6 on weekdays.

Holding five separate Masses at the weekends and six on the weekdays allows us to accommodate a potential 800 people to gather for Eucharist in any week. Our average weekend gathering was 2,000 in October last. We will continue to hold Funeral Masses at 1pm on weekdays so as not to limit the number who can attend a weekday Mass.

Confessions We have introduced Confessions on Saturdays from 3 to 5pm

Baptisms We will resume Baptism ceremonies on Sundays from the middle of July

Compromise for all As a community we need ot find ways to support each other in growing back into our gathering for celebrations.



Practical Plan

Thursday 25th June: Prepare training and put signage in place

Tuesday 30th June to Friday 3rd July

Training and practical working out of Mass. Have all take part in the weekday Masses Run it as a gathering, welcoming, showing to seating, flow for communion, leaving church.

Holy Rosary and St. Anthony’s closed for private prayer this week.

Required

Signage for Seating: Signage to be invitational – please sit here as opposed to do not sit here.

Floor: Directional and space markings

Door: Numbers that can be welcomed in.

Information about flow / entry / exit etc.

Ministry Involvement Ministers of Eucharist and Word – who is willing to support in the Mass in Kilcoole & Holy Rosary

Hospitality

Cleaning

Communications Stay Connected eLetter

Weekend liturgy



Diocesan Sign off Checklist



Reference Documents: Some of these links won’t open documents as the documents are not on the website yet. They will

go to active documents once it is on the website.

Overview of Phases for Reopening

Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business

Guidelines on Sacraments and Pastoral Care

Check List For Re-Opening Churches For Public Worship

St. Raphael Parish Website has a good approach to their communications

Outline for a Survey of parishioners

A synopsis of pastoral considerations for the reopening of churches and the resumption of public Masses from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith from CDC

https://assets.gov.ie/73823/075541bb68c146e09a31367b69c76621.pdf



https://static1.squarespace.com/static/580e5b23579fb3fdc10ab03c/t/5eab382772d9460d3e375c76/1588279335659/Guidelines+for+Mass+%284.28.2020%29.pdf

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvB63SoFC-vvgdRled66WFyTgOi1Jg?e=jnt6rD

https://saintraphael.org/news/coronavirus-may-8-update

https://gregatkinson.com/category/blogs/

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvB63SoFC-vvgdZrTimUtDTn8S1g5w?e=5d13v1

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvB63SoFC-vvgdZrTimUtDTn8S1g5w?e=5d13v1

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html



Version Control: 1.0

14th May 2020 Initial document for information of PPC’s and publication of Phase 1 and Phase 2

1.1 15th May 2020 Some minor changes after review by this initial team.

2.0 21st May 2020 Phase 3 and 4 sheets added Outline of Baptism Programme added

3.0 27th May 2020 Resuming Masses discussion pages inserted (p. 11 and 12)

3.1 28th May 2020 Update of Resuming Masses discussion pages arising from review by planning group (p. 11-13)

4.0 11th June 2020 Introduction of Phase 3 – Resuming Public Masses

4.1 16th June 2020 Addition of detail in relation to the Baptism ceremony

4.2 17th June 2020 Change of Baptism to Phase 3 and addition of Grandparents in list of attendees. Added Communications plan Page 13, Practical planning for Church buildings page 14 and Diocesan Sign Off Checklist page 15

4.3 18th June 2020 Modification to Baptism Procedure and agreed by Fr. John, Fr. Gerard, Úna and Paul