How do you pray at home alone or with family when you can’t go to Mass? This is a short service of prayer which can be prayed at home.
The mass leaflet for the coming weekend will be distributed in the Churches as normal, feel free to drop in and collect one.
There are other prayers and resources available on the Cork and Ross webpage.https://corkandross.org
Bishop Fintan Gavin has written to all priests in the diocese requesting “that the celebration of a public Mass with a congregation be discontinued also on weekdays”, until further notice.
During this time, Fr Tom Hayes will offer Mass each day privately for the intention that has already been assigned to the Mass.
“In light of the continuing measures to protect public health announced by the Government including the requirement that the attendance at any event such as Mass must not exceed 100 people and that social distancing should be exercised, I now extend the request that the celebration of a public mass with a congregation be discontinued also on weekdays. This also applies to Station Masses. You may inform people of this at Mass on tomorrow Monday March 16th which will be the last public Mass with a congregation, apart from funerals and weddings, until further notice.
“I would encourage each priest to continue to celebrate Mass privately for the people of the parish and, where available, to have it broadcast via webcam. My hope is that the people of your parish, while not able to join you physically, could join you spiritually in that Mass. Mass will continue to be live-streamed each day from the Cathedral at http://www.corkcathedral.ie.
“Churches will remain open for private prayer. Prayer resources are presently being prepared which people can use in their homes and should be available soon on the diocesan website.
“Funerals, Weddings and Baptisms can continue to be celebrated. I would encourage you to keep such celebrations to immediate family and close friends. The health authority’s norms on limiting attendance at indoor gatherings to 100 people and the norms regarding social distancing are strictly binding on all.
I urge you to take every precaution with your own health. In these difficult times, we keep one another and those we serve in our prayers and we continue to offer Christ’s message of comfort and hope in whatever way we can.”
A lot is changing in response to concerns about the spread in our country of Covid-19. The Government announced measures on March 12th which include the closure of schools and colleges and a call to avoid unnecessary gatherings and all gatherings of more than 100 people. Full text here.
Ireland’s Catholic Bishops have issued directives later that also and Bishop Fintan Gavin has issued norms to the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
Bishop Fintan’s communique with parishes says:
“In light of this in the Diocese of Cork and Ross, all public Weekend Masses will be discontinued until further notice.
This also refers to Masses for St. Patrick’s Day.”
“Mass will continue to be live-streamed from the Cathedral at www.corkcathedral.ie. It is my hope to celebrate the 11.30 am Mass there each Sunday.”
For us in Enniskeane, the new reality means that:
Above all else, this is a time to watch out for one another. Don’t add to any fears or panic. Check in on neighbours and friends by phone. Know the essential steps for care advised by the HSE. And say a prayer that peace and health for all will be restored.
Feel free to pick up the phone to Fr Tom at any time. 087-9311472.
A lot of people would love the opportunity to visit Lourdes, France — a place of pilgrimage, peace and healing since 1858. And many people go there every year.
However, the sick and less able people can only get there with the assistance of carers and helpers. Thousands of people from across the world give of their time in Lourdes each year as volunteer helpers.
This video is about the Cork and Ross annual pilgrimage and the opportunity for young people (18–25) to help as part of an organised group.
