HOW TO BOOK FOR MASS

Booking a Place at Weekend Masses

Social-distancing requirements mean that there will be a limited number of spaces permissible for Saturday or Sunday Mass and so there is a need to book a place so that we can control numbers and thereby adhere to regulations.


Booking will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

·      Booking will open each week on Wednesday morning and will close on Thursday evening.

·      Bookings should preferably be made using the online form on above.

·      Your booking will be confirmed by email. Please allow up to 48 hours. You will be contacted by Friday morning at the latest.


Your booking is not confirmed until you are informed by the parish secretary, either via email or telephone.


You can only book a seat for yourself and members of your household, or extended household, as the numbers in each group will affect the seating allocation.


If you are able to safely join with another household, you may book a pew together using the online booking form. When you book (up to a maximum of six people) you can choose the number of households in the booking (one or two). There will also be a place to for the lead name of your other household.


Once the maximum number of places in church are full, no further bookings for that Mass will be taken. Bookings for the other weekend Mass will continue to be available. Once both Masses are full, you will be offered a place on our reserve list.


You must have a confirmed booking to be able to attend a Weekend Mass. Please do not turn up at the church without having had your place confirmed by us as we will sadly have to turn you away.


IMPORTANT: If you have booked a seat at Mass and for any reason are unable to attend, please let us know:



Please note: We have had a large number of people not attend Mass without letting us know. This means there were other people were denied a place at Mass.


If you do not attend Mass after booking a place without good reason, the next time you book you will be automatically placed on the reserve list and only offered a space if there are some available after bookings close.

Guidelines for Attending Mass

Here are some instructions for those attending the celebration of Mass at St Philip Evans Church.


  • You must wear a face mask at all times removing it only to place the Sacred Host in your mouth.


  • Please note that the Church has been marked off in tape and we have a limited capacity of twenty spaces for individuals and households.


  • You will have needed to have booked a place with the Parish Secretary and failure to do so may mean that you may be refused access as we must maintain social distancing within the Church.


  • Following the recommendations issued through the Archdiocese, we are operating a track and trace system. You will be asked to confirm your booking details upon arrival. These will only be kept for the required time and will only be used for track and trace purposes.


  • For those people who are using the NHS Covid App we now have a QR Code displayed near the entrance to the church.


  • Please wait outside the Church, maintaining social distancing, should you arrive at the same time as other parishioners and await the instructions of the stewards.


  • Please remain two metres apart at all times. Sanitise your hands upon entering.


  • Once in your pew, please stay there at all times until instructed to move by a steward.


  • For the distribution of Holy Communion please come forward at the instruction of the steward. Stop at the barrier and fully extend your hands.


  • Communion will be given at the end of Mass and in silence and you will then immediately leave the Church by the rear right hand door into the car park.


  • The Church will then be closed immediately after the celebration of Mass, and will be sanitised and prepared for the next Mass.


  • For the foreseeable future, there will be no:
  • Access to the toilet accept in an emergency when a Steward will escort you and the toilet will then be sealed for 72 hours
  • Sacristans
  • Altar Servers
  • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
  • Offertory Procession
  • Physical sign of peace
  • Display Screens
  • Singing
  • Collection taken during Mass (baskets will be at the exit).