Heightened sadness at parish death

Death has a particular sadness at this time on account of the restrictions that deny folk the comfort and support in the usual manner of Irish wakes and funerals.

Coping with bereavement is a lot harder, without being able to feel the closeness of family and friends, and family even being denied in instances the solace of all being together with some members not able to attend.

The natural things that people do to ease the grief to physically sympathise, such as shake hands or hug are largely now not allowed. For those experiencing death the loss and sorrow are all the more acute as a result of the current circumstances in which we live. Hopefully they won’t last much longer and society will get back to the way it was and how we respect the dead and treat those affected by death.

This week sadly our parish priest Padraig Keenan was one of those and his family who may have been left feeling more bereft than heretofore with the passing of his father Peadar.

One of Haggardstown’s best known and respected families also experienced the acute sadness with the sudden death at her home in Leeds in England of Teresa Fletcher ( Connor). All in the community extend their heartfelt sympathy in this rare and unusual time.

Also to the Carroll family, formerly of The Lane, Marlbog Road with the sad passing of Patricia, Marian Park wife of the late Patsy Byrne, Knockbridge.