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Confirmation has been received from the Scottish Government that Places of Worship should close immediately, NOT Friday as previously communicated.
The question was raised by Anthony Horan at The Catholic Parliamentary Office.

Government communication:

Q. Can we continue with congregations until Friday?

A: It is now a legal requirement to stay at home unless it is essential. The Stay at Home guidance is now in regulations and came into force at 0001hrs today and there is no exemption to attend a place of worship between now and Friday. This effectively means that POW should be closed for both congregational worship and individual prayer with immediate effect. Additionally given the current position in relation to the pandemic the Scottish Government would also discourage more than 5 (or 6, if an interpreter is required) from attending a marriage in a level 4 area before Friday. All associated guidance is being amended now to reflect what will be the regulatory position from Friday. We apologise for the degree of inconsistency in messaging from government but hope that this clears this anomaly up.

Therefore there will be no public 10:00am Mass on Wednesday or Thursday this week.
Apologies for the short notice.
Please share this information with non Facebook users.

Given the lack of requests the Hall will not open for Mass this evening.

St Anthony’s

Our new Baptism Course starts on Monday 21st September at 7pm for three consecutive Mondays. Parents and godparents are invited to attend online and the evening takes a film/discussion format, running around an hour. Please register all names of those attending by emailing office@falkirkcatholics.org. We will then send all participants a Zoom invitation to the course.

The children who were due to celebrate their First Confession earlier this year will now do so on the following dates:

Wednesday 7th October – St Francis Xavier’s Primary

Thursday 8th October – St Andrew’s Primary

Saturday 10th October  Children not at any of the above schools.

The children will be brought to Mass of Reconciliation at 10:00 am at St Francis Xavier’s church and will then celebrate the Sacrament afterwards.

I encourage parents to make sure that all home session of the children’s workbooks have been completed so tat the children are suitably prepared.

First Holy Communion List

Please click on the above for a list of all the dates and Mass times for the children who are making their First Holy Communion.

First Holy Communion 2020

Firstly, may I thank you for your continued patience and understanding during the past few months. Who would have thought the Coronavirus would have had such an impact on all our lives.  It has been challenging in so many ways and indeed the virus continues to affect the way we live our lives from day to day.

As you know we were due to celebrate First Holy Communion earlier this year, but, due to the virus this was just not possible.  Indeed, even now we will not be able to celebrate this important event in your child’s faith journey in the way we would have hoped.

Of course, the most important thing is that the children can receive the Lord in Holy Communion and I wish to now outline the way in which this will happen in the parish.

I have spoken with the schools and Jean Syme who will do their part to revise and prepare the Children for First Holy Communion which will take place on the following dates in November.

Saturday November 7^th 10:00 am at St Anthony’s, Rumford

Saturday November 7^th 12 noon at St Francis Xavier’s

Saturday November 7^th 2:00pm at ST Francis Xavier’s

Saturday November 14^th 10:00am at St Francis Xavier’s

Saturday November 14^th 12 noon at St Francis Xavier’s

Saturday November 14^th 2:00pm at Francis Xavier’s

You may book one of the above Masses at www.falkirkcatholics.org/booking Please book in the name of the child. Booking begins at 9:00 am on Tuesday 8^th September.

There will be a maximum of 10 children making their First Communion at each Mass.

At present we are only allowed a maximum of 50 people in the church therefore each child will only be allowed to have 4 family members with them. (This may change if the Government allows closer to the time) There may be some room for negotiation if some families do not need their full allocation of guests.

All the First Communion masses will be available to watch on livestream.

The wearing of a face covering is mandatory in all churches and places of worship. This is for the safety and protection of everyone.

Due to Social Distancing it won’t be possible for the Teachers and parish helpers to assist the children put on Albs, therefore as a special concession this year only,  the children will not be required to wear an Alb over their outfits. They will however have to wear a face covering.

Everyone is required to sanitize their hands on entering and leaving the church.

We are required to keep a record of names and contact details for everyone who comes into the church.  You will be required to provide these details on the day.

At present we must still maintain a 2-metre distance between people from different households. This rule will apply before, during and after the Mass.

Holy Communion will only be received in the hand and only in the form of bread. Reception from the chalice is suspended.

As per our normal practice there should be no photography during Mass. After Mass you may take some photos, however we would ask that you do so quickly and maintain social distancing.

At all times we ask that you kindly follow the directions of the Parish Stewards who are there to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

I encourage you to make sure that your child has completed all the preparation material which the school or Jean has provided. Likewise, please make sure you take the time to complete all the home sessions as well.

I would hope that every effort is made to make sure that the children are brought to Mass in the weeks leading up to First Holy Communion. If you are unable to book for Mass, please make sure you watch Mass online as a family.

To make sure we have a clear channel of communication can I please ask you to make sure your family are registered on the parish database? www.falkirkcatholics.org/connect

Finally thank you once again for your patience and understanding.  I am confident that the Children’s First Holy Communion will still be a most memorable day in their life, however it is celebrated.

Fr Jamie.

Attending Mass at St Francis Xavier’s & St Anthony’s

In the interests of safety, we ask everyone to follow the guidelines below:

• Entrance to the church will be through the Right-Hand Side Main door ( Door at Car Park Side of St Anthony’s) . This will be clearly marked.
• On entering the church, you must wear a face mask or a face covering such as a scarf.(Your nose & mouth should be securely covered).

• Once inside the church you must use the Hand Sanitizer provided.
• You will be required to provide contact details (Name & Phone Number)
• A steward will lead you to the next available seating position
• Please fill the pews from the front to back and from the centre to the side aisles. If you sit at the end in the centre, you effectively block the pew for anyone else.
• (We kindly ask that you do not use the kneeler).
• Please follow the one-way system i.e. enter your seat via the central aisle and leave using the side aisles. The one – way system is clearly signposted.
• For the distribution of Holy Communion please remain in your seat. The priest will come to you. The priest will place the Host in your hand. Once he moves away remove your face covering and consume the Host.
• At the end of Mass, the stewards will lead you to the exit which is clearly marked.
• Please remain in your seat until invited to leave by the stewards.
• Before leaving the church building you must once again use the Hand sanitizer.
• Once you have left the church building please maintain social distancing.

Other points to note:

• At St Francis Xavier’s, if you have difficulty using the main steps at the front of the church the stewards will allow you to enter and exit through the side door.
• To maintain 2 Metre Social distancing the number of people attending each Mass is limited to 50.
• There is no need to book to come to weekday Mass. You must book to attend the Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings and all Masses on Sunday’s
• At all times there must be a safe 2 metre distance between people from different households. Both inside the church and whilst waiting outside.
• Please note that you may be asked to remain in your seat until you can safely exit.
• The toilets will only be available in case of absolute necessity. Anyone using the toilet will be required to make sure it is thoroughly sanitised after use.
• As of 8^th August, the Scottish Government recommends that if a face visor is worn it must be accompanied by another type of face covering.

• Remember! If you have any symptoms of Covid -19 such as a high temperature, a persistent cough, loss of taste or smell then you must not come to the church.

Thank you for your patience and consideration of everyone’s safety.

Fr Jamie

Visiting St Francis Xavier’s for Private Prayer
From Monday 22nd June we will be opening the church building for private prayer.
In the interests of safety, we ask everyone to follow the guidelines below:

• Entrance to the church will be through the Right-Hand Side Main door. This will be clearly marked.
• On entering the church, you must wear a face mask or a face covering such as a scarf.
(Your nose & mouth should be securely covered).
• Once inside the church you must use the Hand Sanitizer provided.
• A steward will lead you to the next available seating position for you to spend some time in private prayer. (We kindly ask that you do not use the kneeler).
• Please follow the one-way system i.e. enter your seat via the central aisle and leave using the side aisles. The one – way system is clearly signposted.
• After your time of prayer, the stewards will lead you to the exit which is the Left-hand main door of the church. (On your right -hand side as you leave)
• Before leaving the church building you must once again use the Hand sanitizer.
• Once you have left the church building please maintain social distancing.

Other points to note:
• If you have difficulty using the main steps at the front of the church the stewards will allow you to enter and exit through the side door.
• To maintain 2 Metre Social distancing the number of people in the church is limited to 36. This may increase slightly if members of the same household sit together.
• There is no need to book to come to the church for prayer, however, please be prepared to queue outside to make sure all safety precautions are carried out as people enter the church.
• At all times there must be a safe 2 metre distance between people from different households. Both inside the church and whilst waiting outside.
• Please note that you may be asked to remain in your seat until you can safely exit.
• The toilets will only be available in case of absolute necessity. Anyone using the toilet will be required to make sure it is thoroughly sanitised after use.
• The church will only be open during the following times:
o Monday 11:00 am till 12 noon
o Tuesday 11:00 am till 12 noon
o Wednesday 11:00 am till 12 noon
o Thursday 11:00 am till 12 noon
o Friday 11:00 am till 12 noon Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
o Sunday 11:00 am till 12 noon Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 6:00pm till 7:00pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

• Remember! If you have any symptoms of Covid -19 such as a high temperature, a persistent cough, loss of taste or smell or if you have been told to shield by your GP then you must not come to the church.

Thank you for your patience and consideration of everyone’s safety.
We will look forward to welcoming you home!