Second Sunday of Christmas

Sat 2^nd                    6:00 pm Mary Johnston, Months Mind (M)

Sun 3^rd                   10:00 am              Frank & Evelyn Hunt, & Margaret

Doherty, & dec’d Hunt & Gilmartin families (M)

Mon 4^th                  10:00 am              Joe & Margaret Johnston

& Joseph Johnston Jnr (M)

Tues 5^th                 St Charles of St Andrew (priest)

10:00 am        Mossy Brosnan, Ballybunion (M)

The Epiphany of the Lord

Tues 5^th 6:00 pm                 Mary McCullagh (M)

Wed 6^th                  10:00 am              Mary Burke & dec’d family, Achonry (M)

Thurs 7^th               St Raymond of Penafort (priest)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

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

Sat 9^th                     10:00 am              Private Intention (M)

The Baptism of the Lord

Sat 9^th                    6:00 pm Mary & James McDonnell (M)

Sun 10^th                 10:00 am              Mick Marren, Roadstown (M)

Readers of the Word

Saturday 9^th Jan 6pm …. (M)

Sunday 10^th Jan 10am: …… (M)

1^st Reading Is 55:1-11. Psalm Ps 12.

2^nd Reading Jn 5:1-9. Gospel Mk 1:7-11.

2^nd Sunday of Christmas 3^rd Jan: Focus: When peaceful silence lay over all, & night had run half of her swift course, the all-powerful word leaped down from heaven, from the royal throne (cf. Entrance antiphon).

The Epiphany of the Lord 6^th Jan: Focus: The Eternal gifts of joy, hope, & peace are bestowed on those who choose to live in the light of Christ.

SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Kevin Higgins, England, (son of the late Martin & Mary Higgins, Tullyhugh), Myra McNulty, (sister of Peter Gallagher, Carrowneaden), Mary McCullagh, (aunt of Roisin Healy).

May the Souls of the faithful departed rest in peace

Religious services

Due to the latest lockdown Religious services will move online after 25^th December. Places of worship may remain open for private prayer.

Funerals

Up to 10 mourners can attend.

Weddings

From 3 January only 6 guests can attend a wedding ceremony & reception, whether indoors or outdoors.

Baptisms

Baptisms can go ahead with minimum numbers (the baby, parents, godparents, & celebrant) & all the usual safety measures in place (face coverings, cotton buds for anointing, sanitization of hands, etc.)

Over 70 and medically vulnerable individuals

Those aged over 70 & the medically vulnerable are advised to continue to exercise personal judgement.

It is recommended that they stay at home as much as possible, limit engagement to a very small network for short periods of time, while remaining physically distanced. When taking exercise outdoors, it is important to maintain 2 metres distance from others and wash hands on returning home.

It is recommended to shop during designated hours only, while wearing a face covering, & to avoid public transport.

Priesthood in Achonry Diocese – It is worth saying “yes” to God: Six residential weekends in Mullaghmore over the coming months for men who are exploring a call to priesthood. For more info contact Vocations Director, Fr Paul Kivlehan, 094-9860011, or 087- 3683535, E-mail pkivlehan@achonrydiocese.org  

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now over 1,843,000 & Republic of Ireland deaths at 2,248. That’s 80,000 deaths this week.

Daily Mass, Catholic devotions & programs on SKY 588, Virgin Media 815 or Online at www.ewtn.ie

Tony Holohan issues stark warning as Covid-19 hospitalisations surpass second wave

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER Dr Tony Holohan has expressed concern at the rise in the number of people with Covid-19 who require hospitalisation.

The National Public health Emergency Team (NPHET) reported that there were 359 Covid-19 positive patients in hospital, of which 30 were in intensive care.

In a statement, Dr Holohan said that more people have now been hospitalised in the current third wave of the pandemic than during the entire second wave of infections in Ireland. “We look at many metrics when monitoring the disease severity of Covid-19. Today we are reporting that we have now exceeded the cumulative number of people hospitalised in this third wave than in the second,” he said.

Hospitalisations have increased sharply in the last two days. This is a concerning trend which reflects the sharp increase incidence we saw in the last 10 days. 

The CMO added that testers have recorded a steep rise in the positivity rates in community testing as the seven day average has jumped to 9.2%, up from 5.2% on 18 December. “This indicates that the virus is increasing its foothold out in our communities. This is just one more reason why we are strongly advising everyone to stay safely at home to avoid transmitting or catching this virus, as it continues to circulate widely,” Holohan explained.

“Please come forward for testing if you feel unwell. Know the symptoms of Covid-19, & do not delay in phoning your GP for advice. Self-isolate in your room if you have a cough, fever, shortness of breath or change in sense of taste/smell,” he added.

If you are a household contact of a confirmed case you should restrict your movements for 14 days even if your own test is reported as Covid ‘not detected’.

NPHET reported 11 further death & an additional 1753 cases of Covid-19 today.

“The data yet to be processed shows that there could be 9000 more cases in the next few days,” Dr Holohan said.