2nd August 2020 – 18th Sunday of the Year -Year A

The obligation to attend Mass remains suspended at this time.

RE-OPENING OF OUR CHURCHES FOR WEEKEND PUBLIC MASSES   If you wish to join in the celebration of Mass, initially you must book in advance due to space restrictions.  You can do this by telephoning the Parish Office on 015982 784127 between the hours of 10am and 12 noon on Monday or Tuesday and Thursday between 4pm and 6pm, giving your name and contact details.  Lists close on Thursday evenings.

WEEKDAY MASSES will remain private celebrations by our clergy

Please see additional information for the re-opening our churches on the page below.

FUNERALS Requiem Masses are gradually being re-introduced with strict guidelines.  Mass will be of a shorten version and no singing will be permitted to help reduce the spread of air born infection.  Holy Communion will not be offered to the public.  Eulogies will not be allowed due to the time restrictions.  Strict numbers will be in attendance ie close family and the maximum number should not exceed 20. All attending must give their contact details (name, address & telephone number) lists will be made available on entry to the church.  Face coverings must be worn and hand sanitising must be observed on entering and leaving the church.  Social distancing must also be observed.

ALL Baptisms & Weddings have been suspended.  Updates will be posted on our website: www.thecluster.org.uk

You are encouraged, where possible, to access on line live-streamed Masses from local parishes that have the facility available.  We suggest: https://www.ewtn.co.uk

SECOND COLLECTION This weekend in St Patrick’s in aid of the Building Fund.

Our priests will be available for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion only in emergency circumstances.

Re-opening of our Churches for public services.

The obligation to attend Mass remains suspended at this time.

If you wish to join in the celebration of Mass, initially you must book in advance due to space restrictions.  You can do this by telephoning the Parish Office on 01592 784127 between the hours of 10am and 12 noon on Monday and Tuesday or between 4pm and 6pm on Thursday, giving your name, address and telephone number. Lists CLOSE on Thursday evenings.  ON-LINE BOOKING SYSTEM IS NOT IN OPERATION.

Face coverings are mandatory.  Exceptions for children under 5 and those with health conditions such as asthma.

You are respectfully requested, when arriving and leaving for Mass, NOT to congregate in the church porches, the back of the churches or in the immediate vicinity of the main exit and entrance doorways.

Hand sanitising is also mandatory on entering and leaving the Churches.  Please avoid touching statues and other surfaces.  Votive candles will not be available at this time as hands will have flammable substances on them.

Seating according to physical distances rules. A one way system is in place and Passkeepers will be on hand to escort parishioners to seating areas making their way down the central aisle. Please follow the guidance of our Passkeepers to the designated seating areas.

There will be no music or singing, no Eucharistic Ministers or Altar Servers.

Mass will be celebrated without the Gloria or Creed and only one Reading, the Psalm and the Gospel.

You will be requested to leave immediately after receiving Holy Communion using the side aisles.

Offertory donations, second collections, Mass Intention envelopes and other monetary offerings can be placed in the box/basket at the back of the church.

No teas/coffees to be served after Mass.

Church cleaning will be required after each Service.

During this difficult period of the closure of our Churches, any parishioners who wish to continue their Offertory Donations may do so by setting up a Standing Order if they have access to Online or Telephone Banking.

Bank of Scotland details for each Church are as follows:

St Kenneth & Bernard Sort Code: 80 08 85 Bank Account No: 06001435

St Patrick’s Lochgelly Sort Code: 80 08 85 Bank Account No: 00796607

St Joseph’s Parish Sort Code: 80 02 38 Bank Account No: 10061069

Our Lady & St Bride’s Sort Code: 80 02 38 Bank Account No: 10060963

Reference details for all accounts is your Name as it will identify you on our bank statements.

Frequency of the S/O may be weekly, four weekly or monthly.

If further information or advice is needed, please email the Parish Office, providing your telephone number and someone will contact you at the earliest opportunity.

A PRAYER FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CORONA VIRUS

Let us pray for all affected by the Corona Virus: for the sick and dying, and for all those who minister to them; that our God and Lord, may look with mercy on a suffering world, and comfort us with His love.

Almighty and merciful God look with compassion on our affliction, and so lighten your children’s burden and confirm their faith, that they may always trust without hesitation in your fatherly providence.  Through Christ our Lord.

Finally we all have a duty of care to ourselves and others, please adhere to health guidelines issued by the government and stay safe.