My dear parishioner
Times are tough and yet there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you are all coping as well as you can during this pandemic. Because we haven’t the power to do live streaming of Masses I say private Masses for the people of the various station areas. I miss our gatherings for worship together but my prayer is that all of us together will see this through with the help & strength of our God. May you all stay safe and every blessing on young and old and those who lovingly care for them.
Fr Tom
MASS TIMES & INTENTIONS WEEK BEGINNING 8th February.
| Day | Private Mass | Intention |
| Monday 8th | Kathleen Singleton, Fortgrady | |
| Wednesday 10th | Mary Cronin Ballymaquirke, 1st anniversary | |
| Thursday 11th | For the sick of our parish | |
| Saturday 13th | ||
| Sunday 14th |
Parish Fund
The amount received last week: €255 Donation to offertory €35.
Thank you.
| Masses from Monday 8th February to Sunday 21st February 2021 | |||||
| Mon 8 Feb | Wed 10 Feb | Thurs 11 Feb | Sat 13 Feb | Sun 14 Feb | |
| Rathcoole Radharc na Coille Prohus Knockcahill Laught Upper Laught Lower | Gurrane Killetra Minehill Dromahoe Keale | Month’s Mind Anniversaries | Drominagh Ardrahan Lisnacon Killinane Derrinamona | Dromskehy Ducleagh Dromagh Rosglass Dysert Dromtariffe | |
| Mon 15 Feb | Wed 17 Feb | Thurs 18 Feb | Sat 20 Feb | Sun 21 Feb | |
| Coolclough Gurteen | The Island Derrinagree Clonbanin Moher Clenrath Rathroe Lyrevoucane | Bolomore Fortgrady Knockbrack Curraraigue Upper Curraraigue Middle Curraraigue Lower | Meenskehy Knocknacurracoush Coolclougher Skagh Stakehill | Ballymaquirke Dromalour Kilcolman Garraveasogue Paal Kileenleigh Derrygallon Knockanroe Gurranebawn Farrandoyle | |
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes is on Thursday, 11th. On this Feast Day and throughout Lent, pray for strength and consolation for homes where family members are seriously ill, dying or have died in the past year. Amid the distress of the virus, may all find comfort and strength in Mary.
Excerpt from: Message of His Holiness Pope Francis For The XXIX World Day Of The Sick 2021
Dear brothers and sisters,
The celebration of the XXIX World Day of the Sick on 11 February 2021, the liturgical memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes, is an opportunity to devote special attention to the sick and to those who provide them with assistance and care both in healthcare institutions and within families and communities. We think in particular of those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, the effects of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. To all, and especially to the poor and the marginalized, I express my spiritual closeness and assure them of the Church’s loving concern.
To Mary, Mother of Mercy and Health of the Infirm, I entrust the sick, healthcare workers and all those who generously assist our suffering brothers and sisters. From the Grotto of Lourdes and her many other shrines throughout the world, may she sustain our faith and hope, and help us care for one another with fraternal love. To each and all, I cordially impart my blessing.
Franciscus
Statement on Funerals from the Bishops of the Cashel Province
We express our closeness in prayer and support for those with the Covid-19 virus and those impacted in any way by it in what are very difficult circumstances. We are mindful especially of those seriously ill in hospital, those who have died, and family and loved ones.
We wish to express our thanks to priests and sacristans as well as the many volunteers in our churches who ensure that all the requirements around the sanitising of our churches are observed. We also acknowledge with gratitude the care and help of undertakers in implementing the restrictions.
We want to highlight some points that we consider important in relation to the implementation of public health guidelines in the context of bereavements and funerals. We do so for the benefit of all concerned – mourners, undertakers, neighbours and friends as well as priests and public authorities –, that we might have a common understanding of good practice around funerals aimed at keeping people safe from the virus. It is vital we take all precautions to prevent the further spread of Covid-19. In offering this guidance we recognise and appreciate that the vast majority of Catholics carefully observe the public health guidelines.
- Public health guidelines are clear: attendance at funerals is to be restricted to 10. We appreciate there are some who believe that for the sake of accommodating the immediate family it would be better to allow a number higher than 10 for the funeral liturgy in a church. We too look forward to when that number can be increased. However, it is important that undertakers and priests clarify with bereaved families as early as possible regarding the limit of 10 people in the church.
- As recommended in our statement last March, there should be no removal to the church the evening before.
- People not attending the funeral liturgy should avoid congregating immediately outside the church building or around the hearse. For the sake of the great majority trying to keep to the public health guidelines, we ask people, difficult as it is, not to approach the bereaved in the church grounds or cemetery to sympathize.
- As per the public health guidelines regarding social and family gatherings, there should be no wakes or large gatherings for prayers in the house of the deceased nor gatherings in cemeteries.
- Support for the bereaved can be expressed through social media as an alternative to attending the funeral. Often it is possible to link to a local church for a funeral ceremony via a webcam/Facebook Live. We invite people to pray for the deceased and family of the deceased in their own homes at the time of the funeral Mass.
May our deceased loved ones rest in peace and may the bereaved be comforted.
Trust in Christ’s love and care and his victory over death for us all.
Our Lady health of the sick, pray for us. The bishops of the seven dioceses of the Cashel Province.
Bp Ray Browne, Diocese of Kerry, 26th January 2021
