Churches are now able to open for public worship again, and we hope it won’t be too long before we can start making plans for those who have been waiting to receive Sacraments. It will not be possible to begin sacramental courses for 2021 until we are able to complete the programmes for this year.
Confirmation
The Confirmations of young people due to take place during the summer term had to be postponed. As the number of postponed Confirmation ceremonies around the Diocese has grown, it may not be possible to have a Bishop to administer Confirmation at St Philip’s this year, but we still hope to arrange the Confirmation of our young people during the autumn term. More information will be made available as soon as possible.
The adults who were due to be confirmed at the Easter Vigil will also have to wait until later in the year. We will arrange a mutually convenient date in the coming months.
First Holy Communion
It was not possible to have our First Holy Communions as planned in June. We hope that the children will be able to complete their preparation in the autumn term, and then receive their First Holy Communion in October or November, but we will probably have to wait until all the children have returned to school before we can make any detailed plans. It is possible that they will receive the Sacrament in small groups at Sunday Masses spread over several weeks, rather than as a single group. Details will be worked out when possible.
Baptism
It is now possible to arrange Baptism ceremonies once again. A maximum of 30 people can attend the ceremony, including parents and godparents, and the rules of social distancing will need to be applied between household groups. The use of face coverings will also be necessary for the time being.