At each stage of our reopening (see below) we will take every care to keep you safe when you visit the Monastery. As well as putting in place all the relevant protocols from both civil and ecclesiastical authorities, mitigating the risk from Covid-19 will also depend on everyone taking personal responsibility for adhering to them.
Stage 1 Reopening: Visiting St Mary's for Sunday Mass from 19th July 2020 onwards
All current guidelines we have received from both civil and ecclesiastical authorities are being followed. These include but are not limited to: limiting numbers and adhering to social distancing; a maximum capacity in the church and the imperative of booking in advance; the wearing of face-coverings; hand-sanitisation; signage; trained stewards to assist with seating. We regret that those who do not book may be turned away if our maximum distanced capacity has been reached, so please click here for further details on how to book a place at Sunday Mass in order to avoid disappointment.
Stage 2 Reopening: Visiting St Mary's for an individual personal retreat (day or residential) beginning from 1st September 2020 onwards
In the first instance, we have reduced the capacity of the house to reflect the need to social distance. Again, all health guidelines in place at the time of your individual visit (including signage, sanitisation, distancing etc.) will be followed and communicated to you clearly and in a timely manner. You should expect to bring your own face-coverings in sufficient numbers for the duration of your stay.
Stage 3 Reopening: Visiting St Mary's as part of a group (day or residential) beginning from 1st October 2020 onwards
Again, the need to social distance will be reflected in the reduced maximum capacity of the house, which is likely to be no more than 20. Groups will only be accepted based on the number of people already booked to stay in the house at that time they wish to visit. Again, all health guidelines in place at the time of your visit (including signage, sanitisation, distancing etc.) will be followed and communicated to you clearly and in a timely manner. You should expect to bring your own face-coverings in sufficient numbers for the duration of your stay.