All masses at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny have been closed to parishioners for the foreseeable future.
Instead, massgoers are being invited to get mass online from the cathedral’s webcam.
A statement issued this evening by His Lordship, the Most Reverend Alan McGuckian, SJ, Bishop of Raphoe, outlined the situation.
He said the Diocese was taking into account the government injunction relating to attempts to limit the spread of the virus Covid-19.
Bishop McGuckian said that because Sunday Masses at St. Eunan’s Cathedral far exceed a congregation of 100 people, and since even the daily Masses attract a congregation of around 100 people (and often more), it will not be possible to admit the faithful to the Cathedral for Masses at this time.
These conditions are expected to be introduced for other churches across Donegal which also exceed congregations of 100 people or more at masses.
Masses will continue to be offered at the scheduled times behind closed doors and this includes St. Patrick’s Day.
Parishioners are encouraged to join the celebration of masses via the parish webcam on https://www.steunanscathedral.ie/ or https://www.churchservices.tv/letterkenny
Anniversary Masses and Month’s Minds will be offered as scheduled, but behind closed doors and with the presence of the immediate family of the deceased by prior arrangement with the Cathedral. The elderly and those with underlying health conditions should not attend.
Funeral Masses will be celebrated with the presence of the immediate family of the deceased. The elderly and those with underlying health conditions should not attend.
Weddings may be celebrated with a congregation, but couples are reminded it cannot exceed exceeding 100 people. The elderly and those with underlying health conditions should not attend.
Baptisms will be celebrated with parents, godparents and immediate family members. The elderly and those with underlying health conditions should not attend.
Confessions will be offered, but the priests will sit on the sanctuary and not in the confined space of the confessionals.
Priests, when called to the sick who are in need of anointing, will follow the precautions set out by the Irish Episcopal Conference.
The Adoration Chapel will remain closed for the time being as many of our committed adorers, without whom the chapel cannot remain open, are vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19 were they to contract it. To save them from any anxiety or danger, the Adoration Chapel will remain closed. Adoration will take place in the Cathedral subject to the limit of 100 persons – times to be arranged.
The Cathedral will remain open for prayer, from 7.30am – 9.00am; 10:30am – 6pm.
All prayer groups and formation groups and other groups using Cathedral facilities will be suspended for the time being.
This decision is one that is a real sacrifice and suffering for the clergy and parishioners of St. Eunan’s Cathedral. We love the Mass and Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. The Mass is what matters! You are asked to pray that this Eucharistic Fast will not endure for long. Pray fervently that the faithful who cannot attend Mass in these weeks will not fall into indifference. Pray that they will understand by these dramatic times the treasure that is the Mass. Pray that they may long to gather as a community of faith again and to receive the Holy Eucharist once again in Holy Communion. Pray that we can gather to celebrate Holy Week and the great Feast of Easter. Above all, pray for a deliverance from this pestilence. Until it passes let us endeavour to build up the “domestic church”, making our homes a centre of family prayer and Gospel values.
Tags: