COVID-19 CRISIS:
All schools, pubs closed Widespread cancellations Unprecedented demand in supermarkets
WEEKLY morning masses at St Patrick’s Church in Wicklow town will continue, while the 11.30 a.m. Sunday service will be live-streamed.
While that is how things currently stand, Fr Donal Roche advises that scheduled mass sittings could well change again due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
‘In the current emergency, all are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass. We have to remember that as a society we have a duty of care to protect ourselves and above all to protect others. I hate to discourage people going to mass as it goes completely against the grain, but these are uncertain times and we all have to look out for one another.
‘The morning masses in St Patrick’s Church, Wicklow town, are still going ahead at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.. I was actually outside counting the number entering one of our morning masses just to make sure it didn’t get above the 100 people recommended by health officials.
‘Our 11.30 a.m. Sunday service will be live-streamed. That’s the way things are at the moment but it could all change on a day to day basis,’ said Fr Roche.
All mass services in St Joseph’s Church, Rathnew have been cancelled for the time being.
‘We can’t hold masses in Rathnew because it’s too small a church for social distancing. We have to do everything we can to protect our parishioners,’ said Fr Donal.
All Wicklow Active Retirement Association (WARA) meetings, outings and get togethers have been cancelled for the foreseeable future. Members usually meet each Tuesday morning in the De La Salle Pastoral Centre in Wicklow town.
WARA Chairperson Pam McDonagh said the group had to take the age profile of its members into consideration.
‘We will have to see how things go but at the moment none of our normal meetings will be taking place. It’s a pity because we had to cancel a visit to Christ Church planned for this week which I have been working on since January. We have a few other things in the pipeline as well which will have to be cancelled as well. When you look at our age profile we just can’t chance it.’
Pam is also encouraging people to check up on any elderly neighbours who may be forced into isolation until the crisis passes.
‘It’s important to remember people, especially elderly people, who may be living by themselves and might not see anyone. Just keep them in mind and maybe give them a phone call. They may need contact, particularly if they are in isolation.’