Wednesday 10th June 2020
Message to Parishioners re opening of the church for private prayer
Dear Friends,
We have been waiting for news when the churches might open for private prayer.
We were led to believe this might be on 4th July, but we now know we can open from next Monday 15th June. Whilst this is good news, we have six days to prepare, or chose to delay opening the church until we are Covid-19 secure, which looks more likely to be Monday 22nd June, but this is still dependent upon enough volunteers to help.
The plan
The good news is we have been working behind the scenes preparing, and orders have been placed for social distancing signs and the creation of a one-way system around the church. The plan is initially is only to open the church for a short time every morning, we have learnt it is easier to expand and offer more than it is to reduce and take away!
We will need volunteers to act as stewards during the opening times.
Initially one or two volunteers who could offer to support one day a week (for one and half hours) is our target, but this team will need to be expanded once mass is allowed.
The Role of a Steward
The stewards role is to welcome parishioners, supervise hand washing / sanitizing, introduce visitors to our one way system and show them where they can and cannot pray (to maintain social distancing) and finally once the parishioner has finished their prayers to sanitize, wearing appropriate safety gear, the place the parishioner used.
This role will need to stay in place initially until public worship is permitted, when the team will have to be expanded. Public worship may be in a month or two and we would ideally want the same volunteer for each day working (possibly) with the same co-volunteer. We will need to meet to train volunteers and we will need to provide a role description listing all the duties to be undertaken so each day is consistent.
Parishioners have missed visiting their church and praying before the Blessed Sacrament, could you offer a one-and-a-half-hour slot once per week to help? Please contact the parish office by email to yeading@rcdow.org.uk stating your preferred morning in order that a rota might be drawn up and training arranged.
Volunteers required for cleaning of the church
In addition to stewarding, volunteers are also required for the cleaning of the church following the prayer sessions.
This would require 2 volunteers for 1-2 hours daily.
Personal Protective Equipment will be provided.
Please do not volunteer if you are in a vulnerable group, shielding or unwell as per the government COVID-19 guidelines.
Please show your interest by contacting the parish office via email yeading@rcdow.org.uk, you will then be invited to the meeting/ training on Saturday 20th June 10 am.
With sincere thanks,
St Raphael’s Catholic Church, Yeading