Following a meeting with the parish Covid Co-ordinators and Father Boyd and assessing the most recent guidance from the Scottish Government, we have decided to issue this statement regarding Christmas Masses.

Masses over the Christmas period remain unchanged;

Christmas Eve (Friday) 6.00pm at St. John Ogilvie’s and 8.00pm at St. Mary’s

Christmas Day (Saturday) 9.30am at St. John Ogilvie’s and 11.00am at St. Mary’s

Boxing Day (Sunday)  9.30am at St. John Ogilvie’s and 11.00am at St. Mary’s

The Scottish Government has issued guidelines that worshippers of different families / bubbles should be a ‘respectful’ distance from each other. Both churches will therefore be used to accommodate all worshippers on this basis. If anyone wants to be ‘socially distanced’ the hall in each parish will be set out for 1 metre spacing to accommodate you over the Christmas Masses.

We would respectfully ask the following of you;

• Please test yourself using a lateral flow device test kit prior to coming to church and only come if your test result is negative (one line showing).
• Wear a face covering and ensure that your nose and mouth are both covered. Do NOT remove your face covering while in the church.
• Sanitise your hands when you come in to church.
• Register your presence by checking in using the check-in Scotland app and the QR code at each church (this is our preference) or give your name and contact details to the steward assigned with that duty.
• Follow the instructions of the steward who will show you to a seat. Stewards will also invite you to go to communion should you wish to. Wait for their instructions. Please observe a ‘respectful distance’ between families / bubbles.
• At the end of Mass, remain seated and wait for a steward inviting you to leave he church in an orderly manner.
• Please do not congregate outside the church. Make sure you clear the exit quickly.

We are proud of the way our stewards have kept us safe in both parishes over the last 21 months, let’s not drop our guard now!

We anticipate additional numbers attending Christmas Masses and this may be the first time some of these people have returned to Mass. Please keep them right …… respectfully.

Please enjoy this time of year in the knowledge that every effort has been made to keep you safe while at church which includes sanitising the church after each time it’s used.