Update on local church services under level 3 restrictions

The change to level three restrictions has brought with it a return of in-person religious worshipping, with restrictions.

Under government guidelines, places of worship are allowed to have a maximum of 50 people present for a service. Two metre social distancing guidelines must be adhered to, although members of the one household can sit close together.

Face coverings are also required, with separate points of entrance and exit where possible, and no congregation by people outside the premises is permitted. Stewards are needed to assist with this.

Larger premises can allow for a capacity of greater than 50, so long as separate areas within the church not exceed a capacity of greater than 50 people.

Funeral and wedding services are still limited to 25 people.

St Mary’s Parish is returning to protocols which were in place over the summer months, which included separate entrance and exit doors, no holy water upon entrance and no distribution of missalettes.

Stewards will show people to their seats, communion will only be given by hand with the priest or eucharists minister wearing a mask, and seats will be cleaned following the service.

All services will continue to be broadcast online at www.stmarysathlone.ie, and both churches will be open for personal prayer throughout the day.

Ss Peter and Paul’s Parish is also advising people that a number of restrictions still apply in all churches, that face masks are now mandatory when visiting the church and thanked volunteers for their help.

This weekend’s masses will be on Saturday at 6.30pm and 12 noon on Sunday, while the 9am Sunday Mass will return on Sunday 13 December.

Services from Ss Peter and Paul’s Parish will continue to be livestreamed on www.churchservices.tv/athlone

The Parish of Tubberclair and Glasson is reminding people of social distancing measures and to follow direction from stewards.

More volunteers are also being sought, and mass leaflets are to be taken home following the service.

With regards to Christmas services, Fr Declan Shannon said that both St Mary’s Parish and Ss Peter and Paul’s Parish are meeting to “co-ordinate a plan” in the coming days, and that information will be made available shortly.