Our churches are open for prayer
As is the case with Catholic churches across the Diocese of Killaloe, the two Catholic churches in Nenagh reopened to the public for prayer on Monday following two months of closure due to the lockdown imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Both Saint Mary of the Rosary and Saint John the Baptist churches are now open for visits from 11am to 4pm from Mondays to Saturdays.
On Sundays the churches will be closed until Masses are celebrated.
The Parish Team has laid down strict guidelines for those wishing to visit the churches to pray.
"The absolute necessity to protect the health of each person who visits either church is paramount," the current issue of the parish newsletter states.
Parish Priest Fr Des Hillery has urging those who visit the churches to please adhere to the signage that will be in place, and remember to practice proper hand hygiene, social distancing and respiratory etiquette.
The newsletter states: "If these very clear guidelines are respected, we can look forward to a healthier environment for all and an easing of the necessary restrictions that may well lead to the next stage on our path, which is a return to our churches being open for Masses and celebrations of other sacaraments."
Masses, for now, continue to be celebrated via the parish radio and webcam. Currently, Mass times in Saint Mary of the Rosary on weekends is on Saturdays at 10am and 6.15pm and on Sundays at 8am, 12 noon and 6pm.Weekday Masses are at 8am and 10am and there is a Holy Hour at 5pm.
In Saint John the Baptist Church in Tyone Masses via the radio and webcam are on Saturdays at 7.30pm and Sunday 10.30pm.
Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan said the closure of churches was a demonstration of the debt of commitment required to safeguard the health of all in society. "I full recognise the huge sacrafice that closing churches has been for parishoners and priests alike," he said.
But he added that the move to re-open churches this week for private and personal prayer followed consultation at many different levels and much advice.
Bishop Fintan said each parish will need to ensure a safe environment for both parishoners and parish staff.
The following are the guidelines for those going to the churches to pray in Nenagh:
- Maintain the required physical distance from anyone you meet inside the church.
- If you see somebody kneeling or sitting in one of the pews, move to the farthest available point away from that person in order to maximise their safety and allow them to spend their prayerful time undistracted by fear of infection.
- If you wish to light a candle and see someone else doing so, do not queue behind that person; move to one of the other sites inside the church and allow that peson their physical space and time for prayer
- If you see somebody praying the Stations of the Cross and you wish to do so please remain at least four or five stages behind and do not catch up.
- If you have a particular statue to which you are devoted, please do not pray in that space if there is somebody already there. Likewise do not queue.
- Under no circumstances should you stand and engage in conversation with any other visitor to the chuch while inside the building, even your best friend from a distance.
- Use sanitisers before entering and upon leaving the building.
The Parish Team say they "very much look forward to seeing our wonderful parishoners back in the churches again. "We remind you that this will only remain possible if everyone respects the above guidance ... we want everyone to enjoy their time of quiet prayer with confidence, uninterrupted and safe from harm. Your deserve it."
Delighted that the churches have again re-opened for prayer, Fr Hillery invoked Psalm 65 to sum up the mood of the all those waiting for this development: "Cry out with joy to God all the earth".