Churches make special arrangements to accommodate all this Christmas

AS we all know it is going to be a very different Christmas for us all.

That includes attendance at one of the great tradition, Christ church services.

Restricted congregations and understandable fears among some, especially the elderly of attendance at public events, will mean that Christmas church services will have to be conducted in a very different way this year.

To comply with the government restrictions on the numbers attending, many of the local churches are holding extra Masses and services to accommodate those who wish to attend.

In this regard Christmas Eve will be a lot different for heretofore just the one service was held in each church, but now a number of churches, including St. Patrick’s, St. Nicholas, St. Joseph’s, St. Malachy’s and a number of rural parishes are holding two, three and four Masses on Church Eve, starting from 4.00 p.m. with the last Mass at 10.30 p.m.

Masses on Christmas Day will be held at much the same times as previous years, but of course the restriction on numbers attending will apply.

Some churches have taken additional steps to increase their capacity by sectioning off areas of their churches with separate entrances and exits to accommodate more people and comply with government restrictions.

Catering for their congregations at this special time of the year is the desire of all religious leaders in town, for as they have pointed out time and again, Christmas is just not about presents, it is what Christianity is all about.

To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend services has placed a great strain on the scare resources in term of personnel and expenses on the various churches in town, but they have embraced the challenges that this unprecedented year has presented and have done so with a willing and generous heart to ensure that all of us who want to partake in this great tradition can do so in safety.

CATERING FOR THEIR CONGREGATIONS AT THIS SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR IS THE DESIRE OF ALL RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN TOWN