By now most of our parishes have resumed the celebration of Mass with a congregation. In some cases, a small one of up to 20 people. In other cases, after getting permission from Home Affairs, a bigger one. St Constantine (Tshaneni) was one of the last ones to do it as there is no resident priest at present.
During a visit not long ago, I shared with members of the Parish Council my intention to be with them on a Sunday. I asked them to let me know "when" it could be as there are a number of protocols to be implemented (sanitizers, social distance, register of people attending...).
They were more than happy to hear that and they immediately started working. My visit was announced in their "WhatsApp" group (where I have been included). I could sense their joy. "I cannot wait to be back at Mass" wrote one of them.
Then, they phoned me saying they would be ready to welcome me on Sunday 20 September for Mass at 10.30.
An A3 page (big one!) had been prepared to work as a register for the day: name, surname, ID number, cellphone number... everything! That is why people had been asked to arrive early enough.
Confessions were done "standing" in order to keep social distance and avoid sanitizing the chairs every time.
By 10.30 we started Mass. Hymns were "played" two or three times ... singing was done only in our hearts!
The parish council had done a very good work preparing all the details and, as requested, they addressed the people for a few minutes at the end of Mass about the importance of wearing masks.
From now on, they will be having Mass every Sunday with the help of the different priests of the diocese, until the end of October when Fr Sandile Mswane will start residing among them. He is, in fact, the one who is working "behind the scenes" supporting the work of the parish council.