Weekly Bulletin 28th June 2020

Sunday 28^th June 2020

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Today is the 13th Sunday of the Year. The theme of today’s readings centres around the importance of hospitality in the life of a follower of Jesus. Hospitality means having a welcoming and generous behaviour towards guests and strangers. Elisha the prophet received that welcome in today’s first reading from a wealthy lady who even built a guest room for him where he could spend the night every time he was passing in her direction! This week we welcome people back into our Church building here again in the Graan for Mass. It has been a long three months without enjoying your company! However as you are aware we still have a lot of restrictions as regards the numbers that we are able to accommodate in the Church because of the rules on social distancing. It is most important that people who are vulnerable or unwell, and especially those with any symptoms that might suggest Covid-19 infection, should stay at home and, if possible, participate, as now, via webcam, social media, television, or radio.  The same applies to those who have been in recent contact with someone who has the virus, in accordance with public health advice. Remember this direction from the Bishops still remains true “All are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass and Mass on Holy Days of Obligation until further notice” You are, however,  encouraged to participate in Sunday Mass and Mass on weekdays via radio, television or webcams, if at all possible.

We have decided to change the time of our weekday Masses from 8:00 pm to 7:00 pm. We will open our Church for Mass on Monday 29th June, the Feast of St. Peter and Paul at 7:00 pm.

Confessions and parlour duty will resume in the Graan on Tuesday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Confessional and parlour duty on Saturday will be from 5:00 pm to 6:00pm and the Vigil Sunday Mass will be at 6:30 pm. Masses on the Sunday are at the usual times 10:30 am, 12 noon and 4:00 pm. I expect smaller numbers at these Masses because of current restrictions. We are not making it a “ticket-event” but I am asking you to use your common sense as regards your own and your families safety. Use the sanitising facility, obey the seating arrangements, please use the same door that you entered to exit, and communion will be received by the hand only. In a fortnight’s time we hope to have our web cam set up here in the Graan where you can, if you wish, participate in our celebrations from your own home. These past few weeks have not been easy for any of us, especially for those who have lost a loved one to this dreaded disease of Covid 19,  so please be patient with us as we try our best to facilitate the return, cautiously and carefully, to a public celebration of the sacraments. Hospitality is far more than receiving strangers into our homes. It is a fundamental attitude towards our fellow human beings that can be expressed by respect, regard for their welfare, and treating them like Christ treated those who were on the margins of the society of his day. Henri Nouwen the great spiritual writer of the last century said: “To convert hostility into hospitality requires the creation of the friendly empty space when we can reach out to our fellow human beings and invite them to a new relationship. This conversion is an inner event that cannot be manipulated but must be developed from within.” We are so grateful for all your support during the time of lockdown, we appreciate all those who sent us donations and supported us by your prayers. Be assured that you will receive a warm welcome back to the Graan again. Father Charles C.P. 

A statement from Bishop Duffy welcoming return to public Mass and sacraments on Monday 29^th June.

“I wish to remind all parishioners that the Sunday and Holy Day obligations are dispensed with for the time being. That means that you can go to Mass on any day of the week. This is important. It is important because it means that people need to spread out their attendances so that everyone gets a chance to partake in the sacred mysteries.”

Shop Opening Hours: Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 7.30pm. Sunday – 9.30am – 5pm. Due to Covid 19 restrictions we are allowing one person at a time into the shop. 

Guild Mass Cards: We have a wide selection of cards for Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Birthday, Special Occasion, Wedding, Thinking of You  and Exam Mass Bouquets which cost £2 / €2.50 each. We value your support.

Friday is the First Friday of the month.  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: will not take place for the foreseeable future.