These Masses & Easter Ceremonies will be celebrated in private due the coronavirus restrictions.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Sun 5^th                   10:00 am              Bernie Finan (M)

Mon 6^th                  10:00 am              Private Intention (M)

Tues 7^th                 10:00 am              Private Intention (M)

Wed 8^th                  10:00 am              Private Intention (M)

Easter Triduum

Thurs 9^th               8:00 pm                 Mass of the Lord’s Supper

                                                                                                                                                Michael, Kathleeen, Peadar

& dec’d. Gorman family (M)

Fri          10^th         3:00 pm The Lord’s Passion (M)

                                                                                                Day of Fast & Abstinence

                                                                        8:00 pm Stations of the Cross (M)

Sat 11^th   8:00 pm Easter Vigil (M)

Easter Sunday

Sun 12^th                 10:00 am              People of the Parish (M)

Readers of the Word
Palm Sunday 5^th April: Focus: Holy Week is a time marked by sombre reflection, leading to glorious rejoicing. – With palm branches, blessings & songs, we begin this most sacred week of the year. In the days to come we will recall the events that led Jesus from a triumphant entry into Jerusalem – to the defeat of the cross – to the eternal victory on Easter. We remember, we celebrate, we rejoice in this Good News.

Saturday 11^th April 8pm: …… (M)

Sunday 12^th April 10am: …… (A)

1^st Reading Acts 10:34, 37-43.. Psalm Ps 117.

2^nd Reading Col 3:1-4. Gospel Jn 20:1-9.

SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Aidan Callan, (uncle of Jane Harding), Rose Mitton nee Marren, (aunt of Lorraine Feely, Tubbertelly), Clyde Carroll, Lissenagh, Marian Cardill, Tubbercurry, (sister of Sandra Wimsey, Achonry), Eddie Johnston, England, (brother of the late Johnny Johnston, Cloonarara).   

May the Souls of the faithful departed rest in peace

Some prayer resources prepared for the dioceses of the Tuam province to help people pray & reflect during Holy Week. Each day's prayer will be on the diocesan website & is available to all.

 Bringing Holy Week Home: a Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday Companion 2020

This year we make our journey of Holy Week in a way like never before. As a Christian community we cannot gather. However, we can continue to keep Holy Week in our homes, in union with the prayer of the Church as we live out these sacred days.  

These resources are designed to help people undertake this keeping of Holy Week, bringing it into the heart of our home. They have been prepared by Julie Kavanagh (Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin), Sheena Darcy (Diocese of Elphin) & Bishop Michael Duignan (Diocese of Clonfert), with thanks to Colette Dower for design.  

Each of the eight days follows a similar pattern:

- A sentence giving the focus of the day

- A quote from the Gospel of the day Scripture tells us

- A section Deepening your participation in the broadcast celebration: highlighting key points for people joining in the liturgy of the day via digital broadcast, with simple steps to deepen their participation in the prayer of the day

- A Prayer Ritual for the Home Offering another way of people prayerfully entering into the spirit of the day

- To do suggestions of practical actions / activities in tune with the day

Mass will be celebrated every day in private. If you have a Mass booked this week it will be offered in private (a public Mass can be arranged for later).

Easter Ceremonies also in private

Websites for information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The approach to date in Ireland is in line with guidance from the WHO & ECDC. Websites are being updated daily; for info see: HSE https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html

HPSC which is updated at 1pm daily https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/  Dept of Health https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/

Government statement regarding funeral services:

“Another sensitive issue that has arisen, & caused concern for people, over the course of this emergency is that of funeral services. The government’s critical services list issued on Saturday included funerals as one of those services.

“The government wants to ensure that families are able to bury their loved ones in a respectful manner while ensuring that all involved - mourners, funeral directors, celebrants & all involved in these services are protected from COVID-19.

“The HSE has already provided guidance in this regard & further guidance is now being developed & will be published shortly.

“In the meantime, I can confirm that immediate family members can still attend funeral services, burials & cremations, provided that social distancing rules are respected. This relates to all funerals, including those arising out of COVID-19 deaths.

“While we know this is difficult, in general, numbers attending should not exceed 10 persons in places of worship & at the graveside but this may be restricted further in smaller enclosed places. Individual churches may also put in place restrictions which respond to specific local circumstances.

“We are continuing to liaise with all stakeholders to protect the dignity of Irish funerals as we navigate this difficult period & we will review practices as necessary

“We would encourage anybody affected by these issues to contact the range of bereavement & other support services that are available”.

In summary the public health authority advice states:

• Immediate family members not exceeding 10 persons may still attend funeral services, burials and cremations, provided that social distancing rules are enforced
• This relates to all funerals including those arising out of COVID-19 deaths.
• The number not exceeding 10 persons applies to places of worship and at the graveside.
• The number may be restricted in smaller enclosed spaces and churches may put in place restrictions which respond to specific local circumstances.

COVID-19 Support Line for Older People: ALONE has launched a support line for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19. Professional staff are available to answer queries & give advice & reassurance where necessary. The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, 0818 222 024. Hours may be extended to meet the demand.

It is difficult & disappointing not to be able to celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week as we normally would. We do what we can to mark these special days this year & to encourage you in every way we can to pray & participate through the churches with live streaming as together we recall God’s great love for the world in sending us his only Son through whose suffering, death & resurrection all are freed from sin & death. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your cross and resurrection you have set us free

Departmental websites which include information specific to areas in their remit; the following may help you find information you might be looking for quickly if you have a specific query:  

Health - Latest updates  

www.gov.ie/en/news/7e0924-latest-updates-on-covid-19-coronavirus/  

Pandemic Unemployment Payment

www.gov.ie/en/service/be74d3-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/  

Supports for business 

https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/Government-supports-to-COVID-19-impacted-businesses.html  

Agriculture and Farming 

www.agriculture.gov.ie/customerservice/coronaviruscovid-19/

Childcare Services   

www.gov.ie/en/publication/17507b-information-on-covid-19-measures-for-providers-and-staff-of-early-le/  

Education - various announcements  

www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Announcements/information-for-schools-preschools-and-third-level-institutions-on-the-coronavirus.html  

Revenue - information for tax payers 

www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/communications/covid19/index.aspx  

Revenue - info for Employers - Wage Subsidy Scheme

www.revenue.ie/en/news/articles/guidance-on-the-temporary-covid-19-wage-subsidy-scheme.aspx

Driving Licence, NCT etc  

https://ndls.ie/news/156-important-notice-for-customers-attending-an-ndls-centre.html  

Northwest STOP provides free counselling with no waiting lists. Please keep our number to hand should you or a friend need to talk to someone in confidence: 086 777 2009.