OULART & THE BALLAGH
PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF MASS
On the weekend of July 4 and 5, we will have the opportunity to gather again for the celebration of Holy Mass in our parish churches, in Oulart and The Ballagh, at the same times as pre lockdown.
However, it is important to know that due to current Public Health advice regarding physical distancing, the maximum number of people who can be accommodated for any liturgy will be much reduced. Therefore, with many seats closed off, it will only be possible to allow one person to sit at the end of each free row while permitting those from the same household to sit together.
Vulnerable people–It is very important that people who are vulnerable or unwell 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.
On return to Public Mass– Please note the following: (1) On entry to Church please adhere to physical distance (2) Use hand sanitizer in porch on entry and exit. (3) Stewards will be on hand to direct people to seating. (4) The church must be filled from the top only. (5) Please remain seated at all times during Mass. (5) Holy Communion will be distributed after Mass. (7) Stewards will direct people to exit. (8) Please observe the physical distance guidance outside the church.
GREAT JOY – The return to public worship, even gradually, will be a source of great joy and hope to our parish communities. Public Health considerations will, however, require the above adjustments to the way we celebrate our liturgies. Every effort will be made to support active participation and prayerful and joyful celebration. Those who are able to attend look forward to celebrating together. Be assured that the sick, vulnerable and housebound will always be remembered in the prayers of the community.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
A few weeks ago these Notes traced the history of Churches in the parish and recalled a fundraising “Grand Bazaar & Drawing of Prizes” that was held, in August 1918, to clear the debt on the newly built St. Patrick’s Church.
Tickets were priced at 6d (six pence) each and there were seventeen prizes as follows: (1) A £10 Note (2) A Gold watch (3) A Silver Tea Service, (4) A Pierce Chill Plough (5) A Chill Plough (6) A Fat Lamb (7) A Hand-Embroidered Tray Cloth (8) A Fat Sheep (9) A Knapsack Sprayer (10) A Set of Carvers (11) A Fat Sheep, (12) A Fat Lamb (13) A Suit Length of Irish Tweed (14) A £3 Note (15) A £3 Note (16) Two Guineas (17) A £5 Note.
The generous donors of the prizes (some anonymous) were listed on the tickets and the winners were to be published in the local papers the following week, August 24th and in The Freeman’s Journal and The Daily Independent 26th August 1918.
When the Co. library re-opens perhaps a trawl through the newspaper archives will reveal the lucky winners.
LOCAL NOTES
If you want coverage of your organisation, club or family’s important occasions or successes please contact your Local Correspondent, Breda Jacob by phone, text (086-1686978) or email mickjacobjr@yahoo.co.uk no later than 8pm on Thursday prior to publication. In these difficult days we all need positive stories to cheer us up so if you have any good news to relate we would be more than pleased to include it here. There is no charge for including an item.