‘Good News’

It is wonderful news that we can welcome you again for public worship in our parish churches from next Monday, 10th May.  All current health measures will apply, including:

• Social distancing inside and outside church.

• Face coverings are mandatory for all adults, even if you’ve been vaccinated (unless certified otherwise by a doctor).

• Please use hand sanitiser entering and leaving church.

• Stewards are there to support our efforts. Please co-operate fully with them.

• 50 person limit in all churches.  Doors will be closed on reaching the limit.

• Funerals and weddings will also have a 50 person limit

• All safety guidelines may be subject to change, according to guidance of the Bishops’ Conference and our own Archbishop Dermot Farrell.

Mass Timetables will return to normal on re-opening. Mass from St. Thomas’, Jobstown and St Mark’s, Springfield will continue to be live streamed on their respective websites.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO MASS ON TUESDAY MORNINGS DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE. You are very welcome to come to St. Mark's church for the Mass on Tuesday morning at 10 am. 

St. Mark’s Church
Monday – Wednesday 10am
Thursday – No Mass – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Friday – 10am
Saturday Evening (vigil) – 6.30pm
Sunday – 12.30pm

Church of the Incarnation, Fettercairn
Sunday – 10am

St. Thomas’ Church, Jobstown
Tuesday and Thursday – 10am
Sunday – 11.30am

St. Aidan’s Church, Brookfield
Saturday Evening (vigil) – 5.30pm
Sunday – 10.30am

Confessions
St. Mark’s – Friday 11am – 12 noon (subject to availability of priest) or anytime on request.

Baptisms
Baptisms will re-commence in the coming weeks, but only one family at a time.  Only parents, godparents and child will be in attendance.  There are large numbers waiting to be baptised so it will take some time to clear the backlog.  Please be very patient.

Communions/ Confirmations
We are not in a position to say when we will be able to celebrate these Sacraments.  When we are given permission to commence we will complete last year’s (2020) Sacraments first, followed by this year’s (2021).  All parent(s) / guardian(s) will be asked to complete a simple online registration to help the significant logistics of organising so many ceremonies.  It will also allow us to make contact outside of school term.  Parent(s) / guardian(s) will hear through their schools when it is time to register.

Funding the Future
Many of you have been very generous in continuing to support parish finances during the lockdown.  Thank you.  Contributions to the 1st/2nd Mass collections (priests’ income 1st / diocesan services and Share 2nd) is down significantly.  We appeal to all parishioners to become an intentional donor, according to your means.  Decide what you believe your parish, your priests, your diocese are worth to you and contribute accordingly.  Family offering envelopes are available for each parish in St. Mark’s parish office.  You can also donate to any/all of these streams through the ‘donate’ button on St. Mark’s Parish website. Once again, thank you all for your continued support.

Volunteers
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our parishes.  So many people give unstintingly to our parishes in so many areas.  While some of this volunteering is in the public arena, many people also give hugely of their time and talent behind the scenes.  Our parishes simply could not function without our very generous and committed volunteers.  Thank you all for your loving service.

There will be an increasing need for volunteers’ time and talents into the future if our priests are to be relieved of heavy administrative burdens which can keep them from the core spiritual and pastoral heart of their ministry.  As our churches re-open we have an urgent need for more stewards and cleaners to help ensure peoples safety and wellbeing in our churches.  If you are willing to help, please leave your contact details in our offices in St. Mark’s or St. Thomas.

Finally….
We have been through so much together during this last year.  Many of us have suffered greatly through bereavement, illness, loneliness, job losses etc. But the last year has also brought out the best in so many; supporting friends and neighbours in countless ways …. ‘the thousands of unremembered acts of kindness….’ This is the legacy that will help us build our parish community into the future.  The last year has shown us that we don’t ultimately have so much control over our lives.  This, understandably, can be a source of fear or freedom.  Ultimately, it is an invitation to trust our lives to God every moment of every day.  Jesus’ most oft repeated phrase in the Gospel is ‘do not be afraid’.  As we continue to rebuild our lives and parish community may we build on the firm foundation of Jesus.  Through him may we learn more and more clearly …. do not be afraid.
‘I have told you all this so that so that you may
find peace in me.  In the world you will have
trouble, but do not be afraid; I have overcome’
the world (John 16:33)

Welcome home family.