Reservations needed as Masses open up again
PUBLIC Masses resume in Millstreet on Monday with attendances limited by the social distance requirements and guidelines specified by the health authorities.
In a message, Canon John Fitzgerald spoke of the capacity for indoor ceremonies set at 50 people.
“Attending Mass will be very different at the moment and I am asking for understanding and patience as we put safety measures in place. Some people may not feel comfortable in attending Mass due to underlying medical conditions that they have or someone in their household have, so please be assured that the dispensation from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation remains in place until further notice,” he said.
The proposed Mass schedule for Millstreet’s
St. Patrick Church next week is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am daily; Saturday, 6.30pm and Sunday, 11.30am with Mass in Cullen on Thursday at 7.30pm. Sunday Masses resume in Ballydaly and Cullen on Sunday, July 12.
To allow Parishioners who wish to attend Mass, with the maximum being 50 people at any one ceremony, it is now recommended that a reservation system be put in place for a time. Parishioners seeking to attend a Mass during the week are asked to contact the Parish office during working hours to reserve a place.
Those attending Mass should wear a face covering in the Church, face coverings are not suitable for children under 13 years and not everyone will feel comfortable wearing a face covering. While it is recommended it is not mandatory.
Ushers will be situated in the Church to show attendee to a seat, Holy Communion will be given in seat by Eucharistic Minister/Priest who will be wearing a face covering. And ushers will also monitor and control the exiting of people after Mass and attendees are requested not to congregate in the Church yard.
It is recommended that Church pews are cleaned after each ceremony, toilets will remain closed and there will be no altar servers in attendance. At weekend Masses the passing of baskets is not recommended, the collection will be inside the door of the Churches. These guidelines are advised by Government, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Irish Bishop’s Conference and for the safety of everybody.