IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE REOPENING OF THE PARISH CHURCH

Dear Parishioner

I would like to outline some of the necessary changes to expect when you come into the Church. It is important to note that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains lifted for now and we are obliged to advise any person over the age of 70 or any person who is in an at-risk category to remain at home and to join the Mass via the parish webcam.

Before we can open the doors, we have to ensure that it is safe to do so. We will all need to work together to ensure a safe reopening of the Church. These plans are based upon best advice as it stands today.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

• Closure of the toilets – there will be NO access to the toilet.
• Face masks to be worn in the Church at all times.
• Ensuring 2-metre social distancing measures inside and outside of the church,
• That doors will open 20 minutes before Mass begins to allow people to be seated.
• The use of hand sanitizers on the way in and the way out,
  Facemasks to be worn inside the church
• Stewards to help people enter and exit the building as well as showing people to their seats
• Cleaning Team to sanitise the Church before and after each Mass or ceremony
• Alternative collection methods for envelopes and Diocesan collections – drop-off points on the way in and out.
• Much reduced seating capacity to allow for 2-metre social distancing. We have 28 individual seats ONLY.
• Restricted movement around the church
• No shrines or candles.
• No raffle or booking Masses at the back of the Church

Volunteer Stewards & Cleaners:
We are very grateful that a number of people have come forward to volunteer as Stewards and on our Cleaning Team. Without Stewards to help, guide and seat people and Cleaners to sanitize the church before and after each ceremony, we just wouldn’t be able to open. We are grateful for those who have volunteered to date; however, we need more help.

We have training planned for Fraidy 3rd of July from 6pm to 8pm for Volunteers. If you are under 65 years of age and in good health (not a member of an at-risk category)and would like to help, please email halstonst@gamil.com

Baptisms & Funerals
We are still waiting on clear guidance on how to facilitate Baptisms and funerals. More information will be posted on this over the coming days.

These are strange and anxious times indeed. The Church of St Michan has been at the heart of the local area for 203 years. To close the doors was a painful, yet necessary, action. To safely reopen them will be a moment of great joy for us all. We are working hard to ensure that we do this in a well organised and safe manner. The success of the reopening depends upon us all working together to ensure the safety of all and so we ask for you continued patience and support.

We plan to have our first Masses at 6pm on Saturday 4th of July and 12pm on Sunday 5th of July.

BEFORE ATTENDING THE CHURCH FOR MASS PLEASE CONSIDER CAREFULLY IF IT IS WISE FOR YOU TO DO SO.

Please remember that we have no toilet facilities, that everyone will be asked to remain in your seats (including families with children) and if you are over 70 and/or part of an at-risk category. In all things, we must put safety first. Your wellbeing is our top priority.

We will provide more updates over the coming days. A letter will be sent to Parishioners over the coming days and updates will be posted to our website: www.halstonstreetparish.ie

If you have any questions, please let us know by phone (01 873 0675) or by email halstonst@gamil.com

God bless you all

Fr Martin
Fr Patrick
Carmel Keogh

Parish COVID-19 Steering Group