As of Midnight on Monday 8th June the country has gone into Alert Level One. This means effectively that we can return to how things were pre Lockdown with the exception of keeping our borders closed. There is no restriction on numbers for social gathering, nor a requirement for social distancing or recording of those who have attended the gatherings
For Churches this means that we can return to a relatively normal way of operating. We have already resumed normal Mass and Liturgy timetables for weekdays and Sundays. We are able now to seat as many as we can during Mass and liturgies. All the sacraments are available as they were previously.
We are able to have Holy Communion under both kinds and offer each other the Sign of Peace during Mass. There can be singing and normal greetings to each other. Holy Water is back in the fonts and the collections can be taken up as normal.
The Diocese is applying for QR posters from the Ministry of Health for each parish and this will be placed at our church entrances and you can use the NZ Government Covid Tracer app on your smartphones to scan the QR code and keep a record of your movements.
Thank you all for your patience and kindness to each other during the time that we were in lockdown and while the restrictions were in place. Thank you to those who volunteered to serve the community as ushers, co ordinators and helpers once the masses resumed. We have all done exceedingly well as a community. Thanks especially to Allan Kerrisk and the Special committee that was set up to guide us through the last few months.