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Priest: Rev. Mgr. Benny O'Shea 07802 791394        Deacon: Rev. Neil Mercer Tel: 07801 706167

Parish Office Email: [email protected]

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Also resident: Canon Oliver Heaney & Canon Daithi Foley

Letter from the Archbishops with regards to opening of Churches

CHURCH OPENING

Reopening of Places of Worship for the celebration of Mass is wonderful news. There are strict guidelines to be followed which we, as a Community of Faith in Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick’s, will be adhering to so that those who come to our churches are safe. 

For this reason, during the coming week, Masses will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes – with a congregation – on Sat 4th July at 6.30pm AND Sun 5th July at 10.30am. There will also be a celebration of Mass on Thursday 9th July at 9.30am.

On other days Mass will be celebrated without the presence of a congregation. ALL Masses will be Live Streamed so that those who are unable to attend will be able to continue to participate, as parishioners have been since March 23rd when the Lockdown was introduced.

Because of ‘social distancing’ it will not be possible, for now, to accommodate the number of parishioners who usually attended Sunday masses. I am grateful to those who have volunteered to help as Stewards and ask for patience and understanding from those who come to the Church this weekend. It is estimated that if each person coming to Mass is alone the capacity in the church will be 32-34persons. If family groups/people from the same household come this will mean a larger number can be accommodated as these groups can occupy a pew together.

We are in such ‘unknown’ territory in all of this! Hopefully, we can welcome all those who come to Mass –Safely in the Church. It will be of great help if those attending are in the Church at least ten minutes before Mass begins so that the Stewards can indicate where you can sit. 

 God bless, Fr. Benny

We are very grateful to the team of people who have readily volunteered to act as stewards for us. If you would like to volunteer, please either collect a form from the doorstep of Eastfield or click on the following link :- 

Volunteer Form

Please do not come if you are feeling unwell for any reason. 

GUIDELINES : PLEASE BE AWARE

Please enter via the usual main entrance. 

Important : Please sanitise your hands when you enter the Church. Refrain from touching anything in the porch. 

It is essential to be at the church 15 minutes before mass starts, so that a steward can show you where to sit.

Please enter the church in the normal way and exit through the double doors at the rear of the church.

There will be no missals or hymn books and therefore no congregational singing during mass. There will be no sign of peace.

Kneelers in front of the side altars should not to be used.

Important: At Communion after the response: ‘Lord I am not worthy....’ the priest will hold up the Host to the congregation and say “THE BODY OF CHRIST” to which the people respond “AMEN”. In the same way the people say “AMEN” after he has elevated the Chalice. This enables the people’s Communion to be distributed in silence with no dialogue, as they have already acclaimed the presence of the Lord.

Receiving Communion: Please remain seated until directed by a steward to proceed. Communion can only be taken in the hand with your arms outstretched to the full so that there is the required distance between you and the priest.

There will be collection baskets at the entrance and exit from the church.

Please disperse as quickly as possible after mass.  

Thank you for your co-operation, for your prayers and support through these times.

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