We look forward to welcoming you to church over Christmas. It has been a long struggle for many under COVID. We hope that there will be something in what we have planned that will allow everyone who wishes an opportunity to safely and comfortably give thanks to God for the new dawn of the coming of his son and to experience the mystery of God-with-us.
Our main Christmas services are as follows. We are asking people to register to help us with planning and we may post numbers here so that you can see what is getting busy. You can do so by clicking on the event in the calendar or on the links below.
18th December
3pm Outdoor Carols at Ladywell Convent (In the walled garden, with mulled wine and mince pies. If wet we will move into the refectory.)
24th December
5pm Vigil Mass of Christmas at St Joseph's, Milford. (Children are invited to wear nativity fancy dress for this Mass.)
7pm Vigil Mass of Christmas at St Edmund's
(Note that as Vigil Masses of Christmas are usually very popular all seating will be on an 'open basis', without any particular provision for social distancing. A second vigil and general care around COVID risks means that none of the Masses are likely to be crowded.)
10pm Mass of Christmas Night at St Edmund's
25th December
8.45am Dawn Mass of Christmas at St John's, Farncombe
10.30am Mass of Christmas Day at St Joseph's, Milford
We will follow and encourage the main public health guidance for gatherings such as this. This is likely to include ventilation (so wrap up warm), face coverings and possibly an encouragement to take a lateral flow test.
If you are being cautious you might like to come to a Christmas Mass on the Feast of the Holy Family, which this year is on Boxing Day: 8.45am at St John’s and 10.30am at St Joseph’s as we expect these to be much quieter.