RETURNING TO MASS

In March 2020 the Irish Bishops removed the obligation to attend Sunday Mass so that no one need feel any sense of personal responsibility due to their non-attendance. For the first time in their lives, many people could not attend Mass and it caused great distress. Now that the pandemic has eased and the rules are relaxed, the bishops are inviting the People of God to return. In their Spring Statement following their spring meeting at Maynooth,

the bishops said:

'When we gather for the Eucharist on the Lord’s Day, we do so to express our joy in the Risen Lord and to unite with our brothers and sisters in the Church in thanksgiving and praise to God. This is a communal celebration which shapes us as a community of faith, life and charity...’

The bishops go on to say...

‘This will once again be deemed an essential expression of faith for all in our Church in Ireland. As always, those whose health is vulnerable or who are unwell will not be under any obligation to attend Mass, and should keep themselves safe and pray at home until they are better.'

In these challenging times and in a world beset with war, we need the closeness and the nearness of God in our lives. We look forward to welcoming you home to your place of worship, to hear God’s word and to be nourished and fed by the Body of Christ in the Eucharist.

A piece of advice someone once gave to those who were unsure about God and faith, though they had been raised Catholic is worth passing on:

‘Don't analyse it.

Just come back.

The heart will follow.’