Tag Archives: mass

IN a note in last week’s parish newsletters, people attending mass were urged to consider wearing masks once more. Parish priest Father Arnold Rosney said that while people are not being compelled to wear masks, it is wise to do so. “All I’m doing is trying to encourage people to wear a mask again, just inviting them to think of their own safety and the safety of everyone else when we gather for mass. “Crowds do attend mass, especially at the time of funerals. I feel its responsible on my part to alert them to the fact that there are huge Covid numbers and a lot of people with flus and sickness, and there’s the situation in our hospitals.” Priests and eucharistic ministers at local masses will be wearing them while giving out communion, he added.

A PARISH priest today defended staging regular Sunday morning masses during Covid-19 lockdown saying that no person has got Covid-19 from attending his masses, reports Gordon Deegan. PP of Ennistymon, Fr Willie Cummins was speaking on Sunday after 48* mass goers attended 11am mass at the local Catholic church in the north Clare town. At the end of today’s mass, Fr Cummins told mass goers from the altar, “Thank you all for coming and with the help of God, there will be even more next Sunday.” From Monday, priests can celebrate masses with 50 people – however, during the Covid-19 Level 5 lockdown, it has been a criminal offence to attend public mass, other than funerals and weddings. In an interview outside Church after mass ended on Sunday, Fr Cummins said, “There hasn’t been one person who has got Covid from being in there.” Asked how many Sundays he has celebrated mass during the current Covid-19 lockdown, Fr Cummins said, …

BALANCING physical health with the viability of the economy may be the challenge facing the government at the moment, but a call has been made by an East Clare priest for the emotional and spiritual health of the nation to be factored in too. Parish Priest of Tulla, and Communications Officer for the Diocese, Fr Brendan Quinlivan, said he is hopeful that, even under the current level 3 restrictions, consideration may be given to allowing masses to resume. Since the guidelines ramped up a gear last week, religious ceremonies have moved online and the four Catholic archbishops have sought a meeting with the Taoiseach over what are seen as inconsistencies in the level 3 guidelines. “The guidelines would seem to suggest that while it’s fine for 15 people to go training or to a gym, 15 people wearing masks and social distancing can’t attend a mass,” Fr Quinlivan said. “There is a concern that religious observance is being treated as …

TICKETS are unlikely to be required for masses in Clare, when religious services resume from next Monday, but the option of participating from your car is being considered by some parishes. Diocesan Communications Officer, Fr Brendan Quinlivan said that while bespoke booking services – some of which come with a hefty monthly fee – are being offered to the clergy, there are no plans, as of yet, to go down the ticketing route. “Advance booking really flies in the face of the principle that all are welcome,” he said. Fr Quinlivan, who is also Parish Priest of Tulla. “We would really be asking people to reflect on how comfortable they are attending at mass,” he said. “The obligation to attend Sunday mass was dispensed with and that continues to be the case for now.” With ‘drive-in’ masses being offered in a number of parishes from County Kerry to County Antrim, some parishes in Clare are looking at facilitating outdoor attendance. …

ALMOST one thousand lights shone out of the darkness at an Ennis church on Wednesday evening, each one a beacon of hope that we will come through the current Covid-19 crisis. Cloughleigh Church was lit up with hundreds of candles in a special ceremony which was recorded and will be broadcast on Fr Ger Fitzgerald’s Facebook page. A number of people living in Cloughleigh also played their part by placing their own lights in the windows of their homes. According to Fr Ger he has been “overwhelmed” with the response to the Light up the Dark idea, and he hopes the broadcast will “bring a moment of peace to people.” “The idea for the Light up the Dark came, first of all, from the general sense of unease, uncertainty and anxiety that is around at the moment because of COVID-19. People are worried about their loved ones, themselves, their jobs and it’s for many a dark moment. So, I was …

ALL masses in the Diocese of Killaloe have been suspended. In a pastoral message, Bishop Fintan Monahan said, “In View of the Government Statement and the need to avoid indoor public gatherings of more than 100 people, and the difficulty of guaranteeing this in practice, following consultation I have decided as follows: All public Masses in this diocese, Sundays and weekdays are suspended until March 29 or until further notice. “The obligation to be physically present at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days (including St Patrick’s Day) is therefore suspended for everybody until further notice.” “Priests will continue to remember the needs of parishioners at Mass celebrated privately. “The faithful are encouraged to join spiritually in the celebration of Mass, either on parish radio or on web-cam. Parishes that have web-cams include: Kilrush, Roscrea, Ennis, Quin, Nenagh and Shannon. “Parishioners are also encouraged to pray at home, including especially prayers for the sick, for those who are caring for the …

Last weekend there were poignant scenes in New Quay, North Clare, when relatives and friends gathered to remember the nine children and teenagers, who died in a drowning accident 50 years ago. See this week’s Clare Champion, for an interview with Kieran McInerney, who survived but who lost his brother Francis and his best friend Seamus Gaynor in the tragedy. Kieran spoke about his recollections of that awful day on June 29, 1969. Pictured are some of the scenes from last weekend’s moving ceremony, while there are more in this week’s Clare Champion.

SHANNON’S Ss John & Paul Church was attacked by vandals late on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday. A large rock was thrown through a window and this morning Gardai began an examination of the scene, while an area of the church has been sealed off. Seating has been restricted for masses today, but they are still going ahead at 10am and 12.15pm. Gardai are appealing for any information on the incident and can be contacted at 061 365900.