Oh holy nights
With nine Masses to deliver over two days this Christmas, Fr Ray called for some help
SINGING priest Father Ray Kelly will have a helping hand for Christmas Mass this year as he bids to accommodate as many people as possible under Covid-19 restrictions.
‘I have a couple of extra priests booked to help me out because I wouldn’t be able to do nine Masses by myself. So yeah, we’re accommodating people as best we can that way,’ the famous priest from the parish of St Brigid’s and St Mary’s in Oldcastle and Moylagh, Co. Meath, told the Irish Mail on Sunday this week.
‘I have five Masses on Christmas Eve between the two churches and four Masses Christmas Day. I’m lucky I have help, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to. I’d be put into a nursing home after nine Masses,’ he joked.
The Dancing With The Stars veteran advertised tickets for the Masses over the last two weeks to ensure the number of attendees are within the guidelines.
‘It had to be because we can only
‘Majority of clergy are deemed vulnerable’
have so many people into our church because of the pod situation. We have three doors in both of our churches which means we can have three pods. A pod can contain 50 people with proper social distancing and sanitisation.’
Unfortunately, children will not be able to participate in the usual children’s Mass this year.
In Abbeyleix, Fr Paddy Byrne has been having anxiety pains over plans to keep his parishioners and older clergy members safe this Christmas.
‘This morning I woke up and I had a pain in my tummy with anxiety about it all. I’m worried with the rising numbers how safe it is going to be, but in saying that I’m confident I do have a fantastic team of stewards who sanitise and make the church safe. Between six churches we are offering a total of 20 masses,’ said Fr Byrne.
‘I’m fortunate to be young, I’m 45. I’m parish priest to three churches and I have two very elderly colleagues and they’re wonderful. I ’ m c o nsci o us t hat I have colleagues and the vast majority of clergy are deemed in the vulnerable age category.
‘That’s really important and people are so wonderful and kind and good – it’s the time of year when we identify with our Christianity and want to express it.
‘I had a little boy today and he said, “I want to wish Jesus a happy birthday”, so I think that I feel compelled in a way.’
Fr Byrne’s said singing will not be permitted at any of his Masses.
‘In Abbeyleix, I have Mass at 10am Christmas Eve morning, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. There’s going to be no singing and I am a singer myself and I miss that. I do think we can all celebrate safely. For lots of us who have faith, spirituality has carried us through this pandemic. I live-stream all the masses – we had to get creative.’
Guidance published earlier this
‘Worried about how safe Mass is going to be’
month by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) set out how overcrowding at Mass could be prevented this Christmas.
Recommendations included running additional services, increased stewarding and for churches to set up a ticketing system.
Mass should not exceed one hour, including the time it takes people to enter and exit the church, the guidance stated. There should be at least one hour between services to allow time to clean surfaces and ventilate the church.
Social distancing of two metres should be in place between people seated along church pews and face coverings worn.
‘Musical ensembles have been associated with spread of Covid-19 due to the increased expulsion of droplets associated with singing and wind-blown musical instruments,’ the guidance said.
‘Congregational singing, choir singing and carol singing is not permitted, due to the increased risk of spreading virus to others present at the service. Playing musical instruments that are windblown should also be avoided.’
The priest would be required to wear a face covering during the service, unless delivering a sermon. The guidance also states physical interaction during Mass should be avoided.
Entry and exit of the church should be staggered to allow for better physical distancing, and people should not be allowed to gather outside after the service.