COVID 19 UPDATE

1st October 2021

Most of Covid restrictions have been lifted in Scotland including physical distances and limits on numbers gathering; so you’ll notice as you go into church there are no longer space markers on the seats . However some people may still prefer a bit of space so please be considerate of others. Please join in the hymns it’s so lovely to be able to sing in church again isn’t it? Holy Communion will be distributed in the usual way, that is before the final prayer and blessing. Finally hand sanitiser will still be available and we ask that you continue to wear a mask unless exempt. Booking for Sunday Mass is still required for Track & Trace
𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 !

Please use the QR Code to check in for weekend Masses if you are unable to use the QR code then please complete a card with your name and contact no.

The Scottish Government has announced that from July 19th limit on capacity in churches will be removed. After that date, churches will have no fixed maximum attendance for liturgies, but will still be required to observe 1m social distancing.

The impact will be felt most in larger churches which have been operating with much capacity, while it will be less obvious for small and medium-size church buildings.
The impact will also be felt for weddings and funerals. From July 19th, the maximum at weddings is now 200 Although with social distancing 200 will not apply in St Joseph’s.

According to the the strategy for moving to lower levels, by early June this limit for weddings and funerals should rise to 100 and then 200 at the end of June (although as long as 2m social distancing remains in force, few churches would be able to fit such large numbers)

Living Faith in the age of Covid The Bishops’ Conference have produced the first Pastoral Ministry Newsletter entitled “Living in Faith in the age of Covid 19” which provides useful information and links on supporting your spiritual and mental health during this time. You can find it on the Bishops’ Conference website at www.bcos.org.uk

It has been announced today 19th December 2020 that all of Scotland will enter Level 4 restrictions on Boxing Day. The numbers at Mass from that date will be back down to 20. This will mean Masses on the weekend of 26th/27th and all weekday Masses on Tues / Wed/Thurs / of the following week will have to be booked.We ask again that you book for one Mass only per week.Bookings will open one week at a time Monday morning. This plan will continue until we hear about any decisions made by the Scottish Government.Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses will go ahead as planned

Register Here for all Masses

A booking system is necessary, due to social distancing there is only space for 50 at any one Mass. Also we must keep a note of the names and contact details of all those attending Mass for Covid track and trace.
If you are unable to use the link for any reason please call 01236732228 and a place will be booked for you Please remember if you book and then find you are not able to  attend please cancel ASAP to allow other parishioners to attend

Parishes using Eventbrite
Privacy notice:
This parish has a lawful basis to process your information. Contacting people who might have been exposed to coronavirus is an important step in stopping the spread. Your information will be destroyed in line with Eventbrite’s database retention period on an ongoing basis after the attendance at the mass requested. Your data will only be used for the attendance at mass and if requested by NHS Scotland for contact tracing purposes. You have the right to have your data erased or corrected.
The full Archdiocese of Glasgow privacy notice is available here

Weekday Masses and Sunday 11am Mass will be live streamed and can be seen on our Facebook page

You are asked to arrive for Mass no earlier than 15 minutes before the Mass is due to start A volunteer will check your name against the list of those registered to attend that Mass. Unfortunately, anyone not registered will be unable to attend the Mass. Please remember though that there is currently no obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
When you book we will need your name and contact details, (required for Covid track and trace if necessary)

Please don’t let all this put you off. Imagine the joy of celebrating The Eucharist with your parish family again!

Use the link to register

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mass-at-st-josephs-cumbernauld-tickets-114637862934

Scotland’s Bishops have welcomed the Scottish Government decision today that places of worship can open for communal worship. They have announced the resumption of Mass in Catholic parishes from 15 July and point out that our Sunday Obligation remains suspended for the time being.
St Joseph’s will be ready to open for Mass, just keep checking in for times Praise God ! Remember though the church is open 3 days a week just now see below for days and times

Church Opening Times:

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 10 am
Saturday evening 7pm
and Sunday from 12md-2pm

We would like to say a thanks to all the volunteers who have made it possible to open our church, but a special big THANK YOU to John and Heather who have been tireless in all their efforts every day for weeks.
We really do appreciate you and may God Bless you both

The First Minister announced today that churches can re-open from Monday 22nd June for private prayer.
Therefore, St Joseph’s will open on 22nd June for private prayer and visits only.
It’s will be a real challenge to fulfil all the requirements to reopen our church safely and we need the help of our parishioners During Phase Two when the Church will be open only for visits and private prayer we ask our parishioners to consider volunteering to serve God and our Parish Family. We need VOLUNTEERS to be available to welcome visitors and help them understand how to follow the hygiene requirements and move round the Church safely. Volunteers will also make sure that areas are cleaned in between visits. PLEASE!!

Welcome Ministry volunteers
We need people to be available to welcome visitors and help them understand how to follow the hygiene requirements and move round the Church safely.
Domestic Ministry volunteers
Volunteers will also make sure that areas are cleaned in between visits.

CONTACT JOHN CANNOVAN  07702013559

Please click HERE to read the latest information from the Bishops’ Conference about exactly what is involved in opening our Churches safely

You need to be in good health yourself and not in any high-risk category and all the resources you need will be provided. Please help us! 

Essential measures to allow safe use of our church during Covid 19

• The church will be open on 22nd June
• Enter the church by the side door only
• Wear a face mask or covering while in church
• Use the hand sanitiser as you enter the church
• Use only the chairs set out at the back of the church (remember social distancing)
• Use the antibacterial wipes provided to wipe down your seat before you leave
• Only 6 people in church at any one time  (this will change in time)
• Leave the church using the door leading to the back car park
• Dispose of bacterial wipe in bin provided

Fr Harry can be contacted at any time via email fr_harry@hotmail.com or 01236722897//07833944257

More information on the Archdiocese website: http://www.rcag.org.uk/index.php Mass will be streamed live from Sacred Heart’s Facebook Page and from the Cathedral. Please stay safe and well, and look after each other.

Covid 19

Its going to be a challenge to fulfil all the requirements to reopen our church safely. During Phase Two when the Church will be open only for personal prayer we need people to be available to welcome visitors and help them understand how to follow the hygiene requirements and move round the Church safely.

Please click HERE to read the latest information from the Bishops’ Conference about exactly what is involved in opening our Churches safely
https://www.bcos.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/COVID-19%20Infection%20Control%20Advice%20050620.pdf

Please click HERE to read the latest information from the Bishops’ Conference about exactly what is involved in opening our Churches safely

Volunteers will also make sure that areas are cleaned in between visits. 
You need to be in good health yourself and not in any high-risk category and all the resources you need will be provided. Please help us!

Click HERE for the most recent updates, and check back regularly since the information will be refreshed as further information becomes available

https://www.bcos.org.uk/COVID19/tabid/127/Default.aspx

Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if I can’t get to Confession If you cannot get to Confession then do not be afraid – God’s love and mercy overcomes even the current restrictions. Just tell God the sins you have committed, tell Him that you truly love Him and that you are truly sorry for what you have done, tell Him that you intend not to commit these sins again and that you intend to go to sacramental Confession as soon as matters return to normal.
2. Can I go to Confession by telephone or using a video messaging app? The confessor and the penitent need to be both actually present for the Sacrament. This is true of every Sacrament – just as a priest cannot consecrate the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ by phone so he cannot absolve sins by phone.
3. What if a relative gets sick and cannot receive the Sacrament of the Sick? In the present circumstances, when the Sacrament of Anointing is not able to be celebrated, the priest can pray with the sick person and relatives by telephone. If it is appropriate, the priest may help the sick person to make a perfect act of contrition, through which our sins are forgiven. Pope Francis has also offered a Plenary Indulgence for these circumstances. (For more information about the indulgence you can click here)
4. What about my Sunday Obligation? Since we are unable to attend Mass due to the restrictions closing churches, banning gatherings, and keeping people at home, it is genuinely impossible to fulfil our Sunday Obligation. In these circumstances we are dispensed from our Sunday obligation and it is not a sin to miss Mass. We should, however, still try to keep Sunday holy by spending time in prayer and avoiding unnecessary work.
5. Good Friday Fast & Abstinence Despite the present circumstances, we should make the effort to fast and to abstain from meat on Good Friday (under the usual conditions – only those over 14 are obliged to abstain and only those over 18 and under 60 are obliged to fast – although people outside those age-ranges are encouraged to join in as much as they can). If however your health, or your inability to get to the shops, or your need to care for others, etc., makes it impossible or very difficult for you to fast or abstain from meat, you can choose some other form of penance instead.
6. What about my Easter duties? All Catholics who have made their First Communion should Confess and receive Holy Communion at least once a year. Although this would normally take place around Easter time, a just cause allows us to fulfil it at some other point in the year. The current crisis is definitely a just cause that allows us to go to Confession and Communion later in the year and still fulfil this obligation.
7. Marriages The Government has prohibited any marriages from taking place and the Registrar will not issue a Marriage Schedule, which is the document that is required before a wedding can take place. For most couples, this will mean having to postpone their weddings until the current situation eases. Please speak to the priest or deacon who is organising your wedding about this. Obviously, at this point, it would be unwise to set a date until such time as the situation is clearer.
8. Baptisms Baptisms (both adults and children) will normally have to be postponed until after the current restrictions are lifted. If the person to be baptised is in real danger of death, then anyone, even a nonbaptised person (e.g. a nurse or doctor, if family members or chaplains cannot access the person), can baptise them (if asked by an adult or if asked by the parents of a child). In such a situation of danger of death, the person who baptises must pour water over the candidate’s head whilst saying at the same time, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. A note should be made of this and the parish priest informed. If the person in danger of death survives, the parish priest will celebrate the other parts of the Rite of Baptism once the current restrictions are lifted.
9. Funerals Priests or Deacons can lead funeral services at the graveside or crematorium, and Priests will privately offer Mass for the deceased. The numbers attending the crematorium are limited. Your undertaker will advise you about the restrictions in effect in your area at the time of the burial or cremation. After the current restrictions are lifted, parishes will offer public opportunities for prayer for all those buried or cremated during this time.