OLOV COVID UPDATE
Dear Parishioners:
Parish Covid protocols update :
It is not necessary to sign in for Sunday or Weekday Masses. Some seating will be assigned for those who wish to practice social distance. If you suspect you have Covid stay at home and join us on- line. If you are not vaccinated do the the same. The requirements for NHS Covid passes will not apply to places of worship and the acts of worship associated with them. However, any social gatherings linked to events in churches will need to comply with new requirements but only when 500 or more people are involved.
Face coverings/ Masks stay.
HM Government has made the wearing of face covering mandatory in Places of Worship from Friday 10th December 2021. However, there will be exemptions for those leading worship, public proclamation of scriptural readings or prayers, and those who are unable to wear face coverings and are exempt. We are all asked to be socially responsible. I know you will understand the good example we as a community are called to give to each other and the wider community .
Congregational singing
HM Government guidance states that “There is a reasonable excuse for someone to remove a face covering when it is reasonably necessary for them to sing, for example, if they are singing as part of a choir, or during a service, rehearsal or for a performance.” The current Church guidance states that congregational singing should take place with face coverings in place and choirs and soloists may sing without such coverings. As the Church moves towards Christmas celebrations which often involves carol services and other singing events, it is strongly recommended that congregational singing within church buildings continues with the applied face coverings.
Practical Guidance for Churches
With respect to the current situation with the Omicron variant it is important to ensure the following points are followed in our churches:
• That people displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 should stay at home and not travel to church or participate in person.
• That hand sanitizer is available to those attending the Church.
• Face coverings must be worn by those attending public acts of worship unless there is a genuine exemption or the person is leading worship or participating in a role that requires the mask to be removed for a period of time.
• That there is good ventilation and air throughput in the building; in this case, because of climatic conditions, it would be important to remind people to wrap up well in church!
• There is now very strong evidence to support that the main mode of this variant’s viral transmission is through aerosols, and that the risk from surface and touch transmission is very small indeed. As such, the strict regimes of church cleaning that were recommended at the beginning of the opening of churches for public worship are no longer necessary. General church cleaning is sufficient.
• That a positive message encouraging people to get vaccinated and have the booster jab when able is delivered whenever possible (bearing in mind that the 40+ age group can apply for the booster vaccination, and that the period between 2nd dose and booster is reduced to 12 weeks).
• That people who are engaged in a form of pastoral ministry which involves ministry to the housebound, sick and vulnerable, should take regular lateral flow tests to ensure they are safe to do so. These are free from the NHS.
ALL OUR MASSES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED FROM THIS WEBSITE.
Let us continue to keep each other in our prayers.
May God bless you all,
Mgr Jim Curry & Fr Marco Salvagnini
WelcomeWelcome to the Parish of Our Lady of Victories, Kensington--London. We are part of the Catholic Diocese of Westminster. We are a vibrant, multi-cultural, and diverse community. We find our unity in the faith we have in the loving kindness of God revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
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We will send you an email with a reflection on the Sunday Gospel and news related to the parish every Saturday morning
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