CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

The following instructions take into consideration the new norms issued by the Irish government to be in force at 18.00 today. Bishops are asked to promulgate these instructions in their diocese as soon as possible. 

These instructions complement the advice issued yesterday by the Irish Episcopal Conference and remain in place until 29th March.   It is likely that these restrictions will continue for some time after that, and instructions regarding the celebration of Holy Week will be issued in due course.

The motivation for these new restrictive measures is a sense of care for the common good and especially for those most vulnerable.  Each Christian community should be acutely aware of the responsibility to care for those who are most at risk.  For example, even where it may not be appropriate to visit the elderly, a simple telephone call to enquire about their needs could mean so much to them.

NORMS

All non-essential pastoral gatherings and meetings, such as formation gatherings, retreats and seminars are cancelled. 

All Confirmations are postponed until further notice.

Every Catholic is entitled to a dignified Christian burial.  Attendance at Funeral services and Masses should be limited to close relatives and must not exceed 100 attendees within the Church building.  

Similarly, Church weddings and baptisms may be celebrated on condition that the attendance in Church does not exceed 100 people.

In these difficult and uncertain times, people find strength, consolation and hope in prayer.   Churches should remain open for prayer each day. 

In the current emergency situation, all are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass. Parishes should inform parishioners of the local possibilities to participate in Mass via local radio and on line.  It may be possible for some parishes to facilitate attendance at Mass while still observing the health authority’s limit of 100 people.

This is an occasion for all of us – especially in families -to pray more intensely for each other and especially for those who have succumbed to the illness. We should pray also for those in the frontlines – especially doctors, nurses and medical staff and other carers, including clergy – that the Lord will protect them as they place their own wellbeing at risk in the service of all.

Extract from Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Memorare      
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer.  Amen.

Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference statement on liturgical considerations in the context of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Press Release – Wednesday 11 March 2020 –

Serving the common good
As people of faith we are called to face the fears of this moment with a courage not our own and with a generous heart. God is with his people in good times and bad. Like believers in every age we say: ‘If I should walk in The Valley of Darkness no evil would I fear for You are there’. In our hour of trial Jesus calls on us, his followers, to serve the common good by taking responsibility for each other and to prioritise the most vulnerable in our community ahead of our own individual wants and aspirations. At this time our first concern has to be for the elderly, the ill and those with underlying medical conditions.

As bishops we present the following directions in the light of current public health authority advice in Ireland, north and south, aware that these might have to change at very short notice.

While acknowledging that the following directives will involve sacrifice for all, we encourage a positive engagement in order that the most vulnerable amongst us can be protected and so that the coronavirus can be contained.

Hand Hygiene
– It is important that hand sanitiser is provided at each entrance of the church.
– Holy water fonts should remain empty at this time.
– The Sign of Peace is not to be expressed by hand shaking.
– Having received Holy Communion, and before and after distributing, the priest and ministers should sanitise their hands.
– Collection baskets: priests are asked to provide an alternative to the practice of passing collection baskets through the congregation. The faithful are asked to continue their generous contributions to the upkeep of their parish.

Receiving Holy Communion in the hand
We ask that Holy Communion be received in the hand until the current crisis has passed.

Sunday / Weekday Mass
At this time the celebration of Mass on Sundays and on weekdays – including Saint Patrick’s Day – will continue as normal. However, those with underlying conditions and those who are considered vulnerable are dispensed from their Sunday obligation to attend. We strongly encourage people with such conditions to be spiritually united with their local community. Where possible they should avail of parish radio broadcasts and webcam. While in church and as far as possible people are asked to keep a safe distance from one another, in keeping with current advice.

The Sacrament of Confirmation
The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a happy and joyous occasion which brings people together from far and wide. We ask that people with underlying health conditions and who are considered vulnerable from a health perspective, should not attend the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will continue for now but may have to be postponed at very short notice in the light of future advice from the public health authorities. The anointing with the Oil of Chrism will be administered without direct touch, in a safe and appropriate manner, such as with the use of a cotton bud.

Celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick
Concerning the pastoral care of the sick and the administration of the sacrament, the priest will use a cotton bud or surgical glove for the anointing with Holy Oil and dispose of them appropriately.

The Sacrament of Baptism
During this time the celebrant will sign the child with the Cross without touching. Where there is more than one child being baptised, a single jug of fresh water will be blessed and used. The anointing with the Holy Oils will be administered by the use of cotton buds.

Funerals
The community of faith will always seek to surround the funerals and burials of its deceased members with love and respect. However, even now it is clear that people with underlying conditions, and who are vulnerable, should not attend funerals. For the same reason, when sympathising, people should not shake hands.

The Church awaits official guidance from the public health authorities in the event of a deterioration in the situation. While abiding by all such advice, the Church will always stand with the bereaved and do its best to ensure a Christian burial for those who request it.

Concelebration of Mass
In light of our particular circumstances at this time, and health authority guidance, the bishops have given permission for only the main celebrant to receive from the chalice, when concelebration is deemed necessary.

Reviewing this information
We ask everyone to continue to follow the guidance of the public health authorities north and south. As the situation evolves, Church-specific information will be updated and published on local diocesan websites, on the website of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference www.catholicbishops.ie and on their related digital media platforms.

Prayer for our protection
We ask for prayers for those affected by the Coronavirus. Placing all our trust in the Lord, and asking Our Lady to intercede for us, we invite everyone to pray these prayers:

Extract from Saint Patrick’s Breastplate
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer. Amen.

ENDS

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444.

YouTube Link

https://youtu.be/JGNPLdDm7kY

In this video three priests of the Archdiocese of Armagh speak on their vocation to Priesthood.  

If someone is currently considering priesthood please feel free to share this resource.  We also encourage you to share the link on Parish website and social media platforms. 

Should you or they wish to discuss their sense of vocation further please do encourage them to contact Fr. Peter McAnenly at E: [email protected] or on T: 028 3752 2802.

At a recent Priests Conference, Archbishop Eamon Martin launched a Brochure on Priesthood in the Archdiocese of Armagh. The Brochure which was created by members of the Diocesan Vocations Commission features three priests of the diocese and it’s a resource to promote the Vocation to Priesthood. Present for the Launch and the Conference were Fr Willie Purcell, National Director of Vocations and Deacon Eric Cooney, Director of the National Vocations Office, Maynooth.

Following the most up to date advice from public health authorities – North and South – the Archdiocese of Armagh are implementing the following important guidance immediately:

People who feel unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, high temperature) should not attend religious services but should stay at home and follow the advice of their GP and public health authorities.  Parishioners should be reminded that they are dispensed from their Sunday obligation to attend Mass if they are unwell.

The Sign of Peace should be suspended at this time.

Similarly, the practice of shaking hands on greeting and departure at religious services/ gatherings should be suspended for both clergy and laity.

Holy Water fonts should not be used at this time.

Only the celebrant should drink from the Chalice.

Holy Communion should be administered into the hands only and NOT onto the tongue

Everyone administering Holy Communion should wash their hands or use alcohol based hand gel before beginning.

Parishes should take the following prudent actions:

• Supply tissues and alcohol based hand gel at religious services/gatherings
• Provide bins for disposal of tissues at religious gatherings.
• Ensure hand-washing facilities, including soap and disposable towels, are well maintained.
• Ensure all hard surfaces that are frequently touched, such as door handles, hand rails, taps and pews are cleaned regularly with a household detergent.

Parochial activities/social religious gatherings on church premises should follow sensible practices, including hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene. 

You may also find the following PDF link to guidance for religious services in relation to Coronavirus issued by the HSE useful: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/religioussettingsguidance/COVID%2019_Guidance%20for%20religious%20services%20V1.pdf

Celebrate St Patrick – St Patrick’s RC Cathedral: Saturday 7 March, 8.00pm

Join composer and presenter John Anderson as he conducts a reflective and celebratory event honouring St Patrick. Set in the magnificent St Patrick’s RC Cathedral, choirs from all over the island and further afield will join together in a unique evening of music and spoken word.

A limited number of audience seats priced £5 are available through The Market Place Theatre Box Office. Please note that these seats may have restricted views and the event will be recorded for future broadcast and marketing purposes.

Celebrating St Patrick with Armagh Cathedrals Partnership – The Market Place Theatre: Wednesday 11 March, 7.30pm

Free but booking essential through The Market Place Theatre

Armagh Cathedrals Partnership invite you to a special evening of music, story, poetry and prayer to celebrate St Patrick. The guest speaker will be Rev Ruth Patterson who has been a Presbyterian Minister for many years and she has been deeply committed to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.  She was the first woman to be ordained a minister in Ireland and she has authored a number of books and articles stemming from her commitment to unity and peace. It promises to be a very special evening as we celebrate the St Patrick’s Festival in Armagh and light refreshments will be served afterwards.

St Patrick’s Lecture – The Market Place Theatre: Friday 13 March, 1pm -2pm

Free but booking essential through The Market Place Theatre

Prior to St Patrick’s Day, Archbishop Eamon Martin and Dean Gregory Dunstan, will give the annual St Patrick’s Lecture and they will speak on “Patrick as a model for reconciliation today”. All are welcome!

St Patrick’s Vigil – St Patrick’s Cathedrals: Monday 16 March – commencing at the COI Cathedral at 9pm with prayer. Visitors will then be led in torchlight to the RC Cathedral where we will conclude with prayer. Light refreshments will be served in the Synod Hall after this event. All are welcome to join.

A “Come and See Weekend” will take place on Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th May 2020 in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth for those who are thinking about Diocesan Priesthood. It will be an opportunity for men (18 years and older) to come together, to reflect more on the call to Diocesan Priesthood. Those who join for the weekend will have an opportunity to meet with other Seminarians and Priests and ask questions and there will be some time for worship and prayer. There will be no cost for the weekend and accommodation and meals will be provided. For further information about the weekend you can email [email protected] or you can contact your local Diocesan Vocations Director at [email protected] or call Fr Peter at 028 37522802

• Pope Francis’ message for Lent: We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God
• Trócaire’s Lenten campaign focuses on the theme of mothers protecting their families

Ahead of Ash Wednesday tomorrow, which marks the beginning of Lent 2020, Archbishop Eamon Martin has launched the #LivingLent initiative on Twitter and Instagram.  #LivingLent invites the faithful to use social media to grow closer to God during this sacred season.

Archbishop Eamon said, “As we prepare for Easter over the next 40 days, our spiritual conversion can be nourished by daily actions, thoughts, prayers and words.  During Lent we also offer a particular sacrifice in our personal lives to help strengthen our relationship with the all-merciful Lord.  In his message for Lent 2020 We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20), we are encouraged by Pope Francis who reminds us, ‘life is born of the love of God our Father from the desire to grant us life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10)’.”

Archbishop Eamon continued, “I invite everyone to read the Holy Father’s short Lenten message.  To complement his text our #LivingLent initiative on Twitter and Instagram, and online resources on catholicbishops.ie, offer suggestions for fasting, prayer and charity – the three pillars of the Lenten season.  The objective of our Lenten digital initiative is to assist our spiritual preparation for the joy and hope of the Easter season.”

The #LivingLent initiative offers short daily suggestions on Twitter and Instagram.  These include prayer and scripture suggestions; opportunities for penance and fasting in our daily lives, for example fasting from gossip, fasting from negativity online, giving up certain foods; availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession; suggestions of charitable acts like donating to Trócaire and other charities; donating your time by helping your own family, school, parish; and, by behaving in a charitable way towards all those whom we meet.

Everyone can use the hashtag #LivingLent and share with their followers how they are putting the themes of prayer, fasting and charity into practice during this Lenten season.

In addition, the 2020 Lenten campaign of Trócaire, the overseas development agency of the Bishops’ Conference, focuses on the theme of mothers protecting their families.  The Trócaire box tells the story of two mothers: Angela in Honduras who is protecting her family’s land from logging companies, and Madris in Kenya who is trying to provide for her family in the face of climate change.  It tells two very different stories but both are linked by mothers trying to provide futures for their children.  See www.trocaire.org for details.

ENDS
Notes for Editors

• Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Dromore and chair of the Communications Council of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
• See catholicbishops.ie for the text of the message of Pope Francis for Lent 2020; for Lenten resources; and, for links to the #LivingLent initiative on Instagram and Twitter. 

• The liturgical season of Lent

Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence for Christians.  For the believer Lent is the time of preparation for Easter and it commemorates the forty days which, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent fasting in the desert before beginning His public ministry where He endured temptation.  In Lent – through prayer, penance (including participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession), acts of charity and self-denial – we are called to renewal of our Christian life in preparation for Easter:

Prayer

The Stations of the Cross, a devotional commemoration of Christ’s carrying the Cross and of His execution, are often observed.  As well as giving something up it is becoming more common to take something up as well and this may include taking time to volunteer, or spending more time in prayer.

Fasting and Penance

Penance is an essential part of the lives of all Christ’s faithful.  It arises from the Lord’s call to conversation and repentance. Christians undertake penance: in memory of the Passion and death of Jesus; as a sharing in Christ’s suffering; as an expression of inner conversion; as a form of reparation for sin.  During Lent the faithful are asked to renew their practice of ‘Friday Penance’ by undertaking some of the following:

– abstain from meat or some other food

– make a special effort to participate in Mass on Fridays (in addition to Sunday)

– make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament

– abstain from alcoholic drink or smoking

– make a special effort to spend time together in family prayer

– make the Stations of the Cross

– fast from all food for a longer period than usual and give what is saved to the needy

– help someone who is sick, old or lonely.

Charity

Traditionally during Lent many of the faithful commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence, the money saved from this can be donated to charity, for example, contributing to their Trócaire box.

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444.