Updates on COVID-19
24th March 2020
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
In an effort to help halt the spread of the coronavirus, on top of the suspension of public Mass and other acts of worship, following Government advice, we now need to close our churches. I had hoped that this would not become necessary, but it has.
The new golden rule in this battle against the virus is that we should all stay at home, if possible, and that, outside the home, no group larger than two persons should form.
We are all a bit anxious just now. I know I am. The coronavirus will have mild effects in the vast majority of people, but, according to the experts, we can expect confirmed cases of the virus to rise and fatalities to grow in number.
At the same time, our leaders and medical officers have advised us that staying at home will halt the spread of the virus, lessen suffering and save lives.
I do not want to do anything that encourages people to come out of their homes, or that causes people to gather in a group of more than two, or that might contribute in some way to the spread of the virus through some hidden contagion. Churches therefore have to close - even for private visits.
The full package of restrictions is therefore as follows:
• Suspension of public Masses and Acts of Worship
• Closure of churches
• No marriages in church
• No baptisms in church
• No home visits to the sick
• Funerals limited to the Act of Committal at the graveside or crematorium
Thankfully, Government directives still allow for the livestreaming of Masses and other acts of worship from behind closed doors. I encourage you therefore to follow Mass online, and, as you do, to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, asking the Lord to come into your heart through the grace of the Holy Spirit, even though you cannot receive him sacramentally in Holy Communion.
Mass is celebrated online from the Cathedral every weekday at 8.15am, 1pm and 5.15pm, and on Sundays at 10am and 12 noon. You can follow these Masses at www.cathedralg1.org
It is important to be aware that, if you need any personal pastoral or sacramental care, please call or email your parish priest, and he will discuss with you how best to help you in the circumstances.
I encourage you to pray unceasingly in your homes for a halt to this epidemic, for those who are suffering, for all doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, and for our civic leaders.
You can access news updates and online prayer resources at the www.rcag.uk and other Catholic websites.
Let us together put our trust in God the Father who created us with a loving purpose.
Let us together put our trust in God the Son, Jesus Christ, who, through his death and resurrection, conquered sin and death, so that death will never have the last word in human destiny.
Let us together put our trust in God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us and gives us the strength to do what is right in every circumstance.
Let us together continue to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael and all the Holy Angels, St Andrew, St Ninian, St Mungo, St Columba, St Margaret, St John Ogilvie and all the Saints, that the human race will come through this time safely.
My dear friends, stay at home, keep safe, and may God bless us all.
Yours devotedly in Christ,
Philip Tartaglia
Archbishop of Glasgow
23rd March 2020
Government has tonight announced new measures to help halt the spread of the coronavirus. The Archdiocese of Glasgow will comply immediately with the instructions issued by the Prime Minister and First Minister. Therefore:
• Churches will be closed with immediate effect
• Baptisms and Marriages are suspended
• The instructions with regard to funerals have already been implemented in Glasgow. We will expect guidance and cooperation from undertakers with regard to the numbers allowed to attend the Crematorium or Cemetery
• All the previous advice issued by the Archdiocese last week with regard to visits to the sick, etc. is compliant with these new instructions and should be followed
• You are asked to redouble your efforts to be creative in uniting your parish in prayer and in participation in the Mass through the means of social communication.
19th March 2020
Following an extraordinary meeting of the Scottish Bishops and after much prayer and reflection, on advice from the Scottish Government have put the following in place for ALL Catholic Churches in Scotland:
1. Churches are to remain open for some hours every day so that people can benefit from the presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and from private prayer and devotion. Please see 'Mass Times & Services' for opening times.
2. Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Anointing: Priests are asked to accommodate parishioners who ask to receive Holy Communion and/or the Sacrament of Anointing.
3. Confession: Priests are asked to respond generously to requests for Confession. Confessional rooms/boxes can be used if they provide an adequate barrier between the Penitent and Confessor. Otherwise the Confession should take place in an open but private area allowing a separation of at least one metre. In our parish, confessions will be available on request and on Saturdays at 12.30.
4. Sick Calls: Routine visits to the sick should be suspended, by both Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers. Urgent requests for the Sacrament of Anointing in danger of death should be responded to observing all the necessary hygiene precautions.
5. Priests should celebrate Mass each day alone.
6. Technology permitting, Masses and other Acts of Worship from your church could be streamed on the internet.
7. Baptism of Infants/Children: can be re-scheduled unless it is pressing, in which case only parents, godparents and celebrant are present, observing the usual precautions.
8. Funerals: Given that public Masses have been suspended and that, in our context, it is practically impossible to limit numbers or have a “private” Funeral and Requiem Mass in a Parish Church, “Funeral” in effect has to mean the Committal, whether an interment or a cremation. In these circumstances, the Funeral Director will advise on number. The Priest should commit to saying Mass in private on the same day for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
9. Marriages: Given the veto on public gatherings, most weddings will probably be postponed. If a wedding takes place in church, it has to be celebrated only in the presence of the celebrant, the bride and groom, and the two witnesses.
10. First Holy Communions can be postponed for the time being.
11. Confirmations are suspended for the time being.
Any further updates will appear here. Please help to make people aware, especially older and more vulnerable parishioners. Fr. David remains available to you at this time so please don't hesitate to get in touch.
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
In an effort to help halt the spread of the coronavirus, on top of the suspension of public Mass and other acts of worship, following Government advice, we now need to close our churches. I had hoped that this would not become necessary, but it has.
The new golden rule in this battle against the virus is that we should all stay at home, if possible, and that, outside the home, no group larger than two persons should form.
We are all a bit anxious just now. I know I am. The coronavirus will have mild effects in the vast majority of people, but, according to the experts, we can expect confirmed cases of the virus to rise and fatalities to grow in number.
At the same time, our leaders and medical officers have advised us that staying at home will halt the spread of the virus, lessen suffering and save lives.
I do not want to do anything that encourages people to come out of their homes, or that causes people to gather in a group of more than two, or that might contribute in some way to the spread of the virus through some hidden contagion. Churches therefore have to close - even for private visits.
The full package of restrictions is therefore as follows:
• Suspension of public Masses and Acts of Worship
• Closure of churches
• No marriages in church
• No baptisms in church
• No home visits to the sick
• Funerals limited to the Act of Committal at the graveside or crematorium
Thankfully, Government directives still allow for the livestreaming of Masses and other acts of worship from behind closed doors. I encourage you therefore to follow Mass online, and, as you do, to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, asking the Lord to come into your heart through the grace of the Holy Spirit, even though you cannot receive him sacramentally in Holy Communion.
Mass is celebrated online from the Cathedral every weekday at 8.15am, 1pm and 5.15pm, and on Sundays at 10am and 12 noon. You can follow these Masses at www.cathedralg1.org
It is important to be aware that, if you need any personal pastoral or sacramental care, please call or email your parish priest, and he will discuss with you how best to help you in the circumstances.
I encourage you to pray unceasingly in your homes for a halt to this epidemic, for those who are suffering, for all doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, and for our civic leaders.
You can access news updates and online prayer resources at the www.rcag.uk and other Catholic websites.
Let us together put our trust in God the Father who created us with a loving purpose.
Let us together put our trust in God the Son, Jesus Christ, who, through his death and resurrection, conquered sin and death, so that death will never have the last word in human destiny.
Let us together put our trust in God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us and gives us the strength to do what is right in every circumstance.
Let us together continue to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael and all the Holy Angels, St Andrew, St Ninian, St Mungo, St Columba, St Margaret, St John Ogilvie and all the Saints, that the human race will come through this time safely.
My dear friends, stay at home, keep safe, and may God bless us all.
Yours devotedly in Christ,
Philip Tartaglia
Archbishop of Glasgow
23rd March 2020
Government has tonight announced new measures to help halt the spread of the coronavirus. The Archdiocese of Glasgow will comply immediately with the instructions issued by the Prime Minister and First Minister. Therefore:
• Churches will be closed with immediate effect
• Baptisms and Marriages are suspended
• The instructions with regard to funerals have already been implemented in Glasgow. We will expect guidance and cooperation from undertakers with regard to the numbers allowed to attend the Crematorium or Cemetery
• All the previous advice issued by the Archdiocese last week with regard to visits to the sick, etc. is compliant with these new instructions and should be followed
• You are asked to redouble your efforts to be creative in uniting your parish in prayer and in participation in the Mass through the means of social communication.
19th March 2020
Following an extraordinary meeting of the Scottish Bishops and after much prayer and reflection, on advice from the Scottish Government have put the following in place for ALL Catholic Churches in Scotland:
1. Churches are to remain open for some hours every day so that people can benefit from the presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and from private prayer and devotion. Please see 'Mass Times & Services' for opening times.
2. Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Anointing: Priests are asked to accommodate parishioners who ask to receive Holy Communion and/or the Sacrament of Anointing.
3. Confession: Priests are asked to respond generously to requests for Confession. Confessional rooms/boxes can be used if they provide an adequate barrier between the Penitent and Confessor. Otherwise the Confession should take place in an open but private area allowing a separation of at least one metre. In our parish, confessions will be available on request and on Saturdays at 12.30.
4. Sick Calls: Routine visits to the sick should be suspended, by both Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers. Urgent requests for the Sacrament of Anointing in danger of death should be responded to observing all the necessary hygiene precautions.
5. Priests should celebrate Mass each day alone.
6. Technology permitting, Masses and other Acts of Worship from your church could be streamed on the internet.
7. Baptism of Infants/Children: can be re-scheduled unless it is pressing, in which case only parents, godparents and celebrant are present, observing the usual precautions.
8. Funerals: Given that public Masses have been suspended and that, in our context, it is practically impossible to limit numbers or have a “private” Funeral and Requiem Mass in a Parish Church, “Funeral” in effect has to mean the Committal, whether an interment or a cremation. In these circumstances, the Funeral Director will advise on number. The Priest should commit to saying Mass in private on the same day for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
9. Marriages: Given the veto on public gatherings, most weddings will probably be postponed. If a wedding takes place in church, it has to be celebrated only in the presence of the celebrant, the bride and groom, and the two witnesses.
10. First Holy Communions can be postponed for the time being.
11. Confirmations are suspended for the time being.
Any further updates will appear here. Please help to make people aware, especially older and more vulnerable parishioners. Fr. David remains available to you at this time so please don't hesitate to get in touch.
