LOCKDOWN 3
SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC MASSES IN
WOOLSTON AND NETLEY PARISHES
Sunday 10th January 2021
It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to close both our Parish Churches for the next two weeks from tomorrow (Monday 11th January) due to the continuing steep rise in the positive case numbers of COVID-19 within the geographical bounds of the parishes of Woolston and Netley. The Diocese is supporting me with this decision and I know that many other churches in the Diocese remain closed at this time.
I will review the situation as we reach the end of the 2nd week of closure which will be dependent on case numbers in the local area. Though I suspect places of worship will be asked to close in the coming week if there is to be a tightening of the national lockdown restrictions.
I would rather you stay at home where you can as we enter into the final stage of this pandemic with only a few weeks to go before our more vulnerable members get the vaccine into their arms.
I maintain that both our churches are safe spaces, but it is almost impossible to stop people from mingling and chatting before and after Mass because it is so natural for us as Catholics and also as human beings to want to chat and mingle. This is something the virus also loves us to do, so let’s be prudent, let us be cautious and soon, very soon we will be free to mingle and have a good catch up as we always did. We are reaching the end of this pandemic and I am hoping that we can reopen ASAP.
God bless you all and keep safe
Fr Ross
STAY AT HOME
Approximately 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and could be spreading it without realising it.
Remember - ‘Hands. Face. Space.’
SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAMME
A reminder that the 8 front side car parking spaces of St Patrick’s Church (Portsmouth Road entrance car park) are not to be used by parishioners on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from now on as I have given these 8 spaces over for the sole use of the medical staff administering the COVID Vaccinations from 8am – 6pm in the nearby St Peter’s Doctors Surgery Car Park (which means the medical staff have nowhere to park).
This is our way of helping the local community with the vaccination programme and ensuring the medical staff can park easily and not be delayed in their vital work for want of parking. If you need disabled parking please park behind my car whilst Mass is taking place (room for two cars) on a Wednesday morning. Everyone else to park in the Church Hall Car park at the rear of the Church (Porchester Road entrance car park aka St Patrick’s Hall car park) if coming for Mass on a Wednesday morning, which is the only flash point for parking out of those days the medical staff need parking.
God bless
Fr Ross