By Marian Harnett

DEATHS:  We offer our sympathy to the family of Kathleen Wrenn, Hillary Close whose funeral took place on Wednesday and to the family of Michael Houlihan, Ballaugh whose funeral took place on Saturday. May they rest in peace.

WEDDING: Congratulations to Sinead O’Halloran and Patrick O’Connell who celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage here in Abbeyfeale on Friday, May 7. We wish them every happiness in their married life together.

WARNING: There are currently fraudulent SMS messages in circulation claiming to be from DHL. These messages are not from us! As a matter of principle, we do not ask for any data or to download apps via SMS.

MESSAGE FROM BISHOP LEAHY:  In a statement issued last weekend, Bishop Brendan Leahy said “The resumption of public ceremonies in churches from May 10 onwards is deeply satisfying in so many ways. It’s just great to feel we can be gathered as one, albeit with number limited, seeing each other, listening together to God’s Word, expressing ourselves as a community and taking part in the Mass that contains the great gift of the Eucharist. “Not everyone will understand the significance of it, but many people of faith see this as very, very positive in terms of their spiritual health and personal wellbeing.” Bishop Leahy expressed confidence, thanks to track record of already having managed a reopening, that public celebrations will be appropriately and carefully handled but he said that we cannot at any stage drop our guard. And he paid tribute to priests and parish volunteers for their work.“Of course, we’ve been here before. We know how resumption of public ceremonies works. We have experience and are confident that the good measures put in place last summer will continue again this time. But confidence crumbles and is worthless under complacency so we must at no stage let up. COVID complacency is the enemy and we must redouble our efforts, not least we have come so far already. We all need to be careful because the virus is still with us.

CHURCHES REOPEN:  Fr. Tony writes:  “We are delighted with the news that from Monday, May 10th churches and places of worship will be open for people to attend Mass or other religious ceremonies. Our first Mass open to the public will be on Monday, May 10 at 7.00p.m. The maximum number of people allowed to attend is 50. The two-metre social distancing rule still applies. As when we opened last summer there will only be one entry point that is the main door at the front of the Church. Stewards will direct you to the hand sanitizing stations and then to your seats. The seats will be clearly marked. Three individual people from different households to a seat. Families from the same household may sit together. The stewards will direct you to Holy Communion and at the end of Mass we are asking people to exit the church gradually and safely. Because the maximum number of people allowed to attend is confined to 50 for the moment, it may not be possible to accommodate everyone who may wish to come into the church. In that case parishioners will be able to hear Mass in the car park through the Car Park Radio. Tune your car radio to 107FM. For Holy Communion we ask you to remain in your car and Holy Communion will be brought to you. For the time being we suggest that parishioners come to Mass once a week in order to give all those who wish to attend an opportunity to attend Mass within the church building. We ask you to follow the guidance of the stewards at all times. The church will need to be cleaned thoroughly after each time that it is used. The cleaning of the building after each Mass is essential to maintain safety and prevent the spread of the virus. Stewards: I want to thank the great army of stewards who volunteered all last year to keep the church open and safe for all those who visited the church.  Guidelines for the re-opening of Church:  Please use sanitiser, available at entrances and exits to the church· Social Distancing must be adhered to at all times and please wear your mask for added safety· For this week our church capacity will be limited to 50, but beginning on the weekend of May 16 the Church will be divided into ‘pods’ (of no more than 50 persons in each), giving us welcome extra capacity· Each Section has its own entrance / exit route with strictly no movements between ‘pods’· The ‘Sign of Peace’ remains suspended for the moment and arrangements for Holy Communion, observing social distancing as they were last time· Should you find the capacity of the church has already been reached, you may park in the grounds and participate in our mass through your car radio [107FM}But please remain in your car so that there is no congregating in the car parkNumbers for Weddings and Funerals are limited to 50. It is not in the power of the priest to change this. It is the ‘law of the land’, so please do not exceed or ask for exception. The current Mass schedule will remain in place for the summer months.

COMMUNITY RADIO: WL102fm are relying on tickets sales for their weekly draw to keep them on air as this is the only fundraiser that they can hold at the minute. Tickets are available in Kathleen’s Food Store, Convent St., Mikey’s stall in the Square, Moss the Farmers’ and also in the Siopa Nua. I would ask everyone to put €2 aside every week and purchase a ticket.  You can see the value of community radio when you can receive Mass broadcast into your home every Sunday.

NOTICE TO PUBLIC: As a result of the Coronavirus, all West Limerick Resources events, Training Courses, Workshops and Face-to-Face Meetings are postponed until further notice. Staff are available to respond to clients and community groups by email or phone in relation to West Limerick Resources work and projects. Please check our Website on www.wlr.ie or Facebook on  https://www.facebook.com/WestLimerickResources for further updates or contact the main office landline 069 62222 with any queries and you will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

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