by Tom Aherne
The following are the Important points to note for return to Mass in our Ardagh/Carrigkerry Churches.
- To ensure the safety of all who come to church especially those who are vulnerable and to comply with government guidelines and the Bishop’s Framework document we are obliged to:
- a) Provide signs to promote Physical distancing (2metres) inside and outside the church, whether stationary or moving. We must also close off rows of seats and erect signs to indicate clearly where people may sit/stand/kneel. Physical distancing is also to be observed when people are moving e.g. going up to receive Holy Communion and exiting the church.
- b) Provide sanitizers at the entrance to the church and encourage people to use them going in and coming out.
- c) Clean out the Holy water fonts so that there is no water in them that might cause contamination.
- d) Clean the church pews and other furnishings, which people may have touched, after each Mass.
- The Bishops of Ireland have dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation.
- To cater for the safety of all who come to our churches the capacity of each church will be greatly reduced. In Ardagh the Church it is down to 45 -50 and in Carrigkerry it will be down to 35- 40 – depending on how many families come together. So that we cannot accommodate all who might want to go to the one Sunday Mass.
- We would encourage people who can come on weekdays and leave the Sunday Masses free for those who can only come on Sundays.
- If you wish to come to Mass on a weekday instead of Sunday, we are providing an evening Mass in Carrigkerry on Thursdays and in Ardagh on Fridays at 7. 30pm. The Sunday Masses will be on Saturdays at 6.30pm in Carrigkerry and 11.00am on Sundays in Ardagh (until October).
- The basket will not be passed around for the collection. But a box/basket will be placed at the entrance for collections at all Masses in the week.
- The First public Mass after the lock-down will be celebrated in Ardagh Church at 9.30am on Monday 29th. Tuesday Mass will be at 10am in Carrigkerry and Wednesday Mass will be at 9.30am in Ardagh. Fr Michael.
As we open our Coolcappa/Kilcolman churches for the public celebration of Masses and Sacraments, we do so cognisant of HSE and Diocesan guidelines. As the Sunday obligation has been temporarily dispensed with, a new Mass Schedule has been put in place for the coming months, beginning Tuesday June 30.
St. Kyran’s, Coolcappa, Tuesday 9.30am,Thursday 7.30pm,Saturday 7.30pm. St. Colman’s, Kilcolman, Wednesday 9.30am,Friday 7.30pm,Sunday 10am. The time lapse between each mass is 36-48 hours which will allow the church to be ventilated, cleaned, and sanitized after each ceremony. Because of the 2-metre social distancing rule, the capacity of our churches is greatly reduced Coolcappa 28, and Kilcolman 40.
On reaching full capacity, stewards may request people to listen the Mass on the loudspeaker system. Entry to the building is by the main door only and exit by the side door. People are asked to use the hand sanitizers provided at the entrance and exit. If they so wish they can drop their weekly envelopes in the box provided in each entrance. These are difficult and challenging times and the welfare and safety of people is of paramount importance . Looking forward to meeting people in Church again Fr. Tim.
Mass will be celebrated in Kilcolman graveyard on Sunday July 5 at 10am, Mass will be celebrated in Kilbradern graveyard on Sunday July 12, at 12 noon.
Congratulations to Adam Teskey Reens Ardagh who was recently elected as chairman of the Adare/Rathkeale electorate district.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Mary Foley Knocknagun Carrigkerry who recently celebrated her birthday.
The Limerick GAA Club draw 2020 has commenced after the delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The second draw was held on Saturday last June 27 and announced during the Live 95 Radio Sports Show. The Saint Kieran’s club had one winner. Congratulations to Owen Hayes who won € 250. People interested in joining can contact the club on their face book page.
Best wishes to Jack O’Connor, son of Dympna , and Donie Kilcolman who is one of two Irish people shortlisted for the ten outstanding young persons of the world awarded by Junior Chamber International .He is a student in University Limerick at present having graduated from Desmond College in Newcastle West in 2017. Jack is also current United Nations Youth Delegate for Ireland. Although voting to help secure his place in the top ten has closed narrowing the 2020 top twenty finalist s rests with the final judging panel comprised of representatives of select partner organisations and the JCI president.
The Greenway from Rathkeale to Ardagh is closed to the public, as they commence the upgrading of the trail to the Kerry border.
Saint Kieran’s club grounds have reopened since Wednesday June 24, and training has been allowed since Monday June 29. The formats for the various competitions have be revised due to the shorter playing season. In the County Senior Football Championship Saint Kieran’s will now play only two matches instead of five. They will meet Galbally and Monaleen in a group of three with the top two teams qualifying for the County quarter finals. The first round will be played on the weekend of August 16.
Old Mill Ladies Football Club are holding a sponsored walk on Sunday August 9. It will commence at Ardagh Hall and proceed along the Greenway if the Covid -19 restrictions allow. It is also planned to hold a coffee morning in September. Team training has also commenced, and new members are most welcome to join the club. Contact Moira Mc Enery at 086-8110634, for all the details.
Saint Kieran’s GAA club and ADRSC are planning a scrap metal and clothes collection on Tuesday September 29. People who may have items that they would like to give before this date are asked to contact club officers in the coming weeks. All donations will be greatly appreciated.
This week we continue to look back at the Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish notes in the Limerick Leader from Saturday June 23, as notes are scarce due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The wedding took place recently of Pat Murphy formerly from Carrigkerry and now based in the US, to Marie O’Sullivan Springmount, and Collins Park Abbeyfeale. We wish the happy couple all the best in the future.
Kilcolman Rovers AFC wish to thank all those who contributed so generously to their recent church gate collection held in Ardagh and Carrigkerry.
The annual Mass at the Mass Rock in Ballyine will take place next Sunday June 24. The Mass which will be celebrated in Irish begins at 3pm.