All Masses will be held in the Parish Church

Saturday 6.00pm & Sunday 10.00am

St. Patrick’s Day
Monday 7.30pm & Tuesday 10.00am

Our Christian faith is personal, and communal. We come together for Mass and the other Sacraments. We listen together to the Word of God, we offer the sign of peace, we receive Communion, we are anointed with oils. Strangely, with the current pandemic, the coming together of God’s family may be a way the virus spreads through the population.

We must do nothing to spread the virus. So, we are called to social distancing, so as not to spread the virus. We are called to wash our hands. We are asked not to touch our faces.
Naaman, in the Second Book of the Kings, was asked by the prophet Elisha to bathe seven times in the river Jordan so that his illness would be cured, and he protested, thinking he would be prepared to do something extraordinary, but not something ordinary. We are called to take the ordinary
preventative measures to curb the virus.

We also have civic programmes to protect the vulnerable, care for the sick and prevent the spread of the virus. Bishop Farrell asks that those norms be strictly adhered to. So,
– all people are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass. –
– If your health is compromised, or you are not feeling well, please don’t come to Mass.
-No more than 100 people are asked to gather in enclosed spaces, and that includes our Churches.
There ought to be 1.5 metre space between people. As this would be difficult to adhere to, Masses
will be confined to the Parish Church until further notice.
– In open spaces, such as cemeteries, the limit is 500 people.
– at St. Columba’s Hospital public Masses will not be held there in the current climate, and that
Adoration be postponed until further notice.
-All Masses at the Parish Church will be broadcast on radio, fm108, so please join us in prayer.

Bishop Farrell writes “This is an occasion for all of us, especially in families, to pray more intensely for each other and especially for those who have succumbed to the illness. We should pray also for those on the front lines – especially doctors, nurses, and medical staff and other carers, including
clergy – that the Lord will protect them as they place their own wellbeing at risk in the service of all.”

Extract from St. Patrick’s Breastplate
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your
protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this
confidence I fly to you, o Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and
sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and
answer. Amen.