An Update on Sacraments

An Update on the Celebrations of the First Holy Communion & Confirmation in the Parish

Greetings from the parish office.
Wishing you all joy and hope of the Easter season!
We face challenges of different sorts every day of our lives. Some of them we overcome easily within a short period of time and others take a lot longer and are more difficult to deal with.
The pandemic, know as Covid 19 is a case in point. Unfortunately, we don’t know how long it will take us to get back to the kind of normal lifestyle we used to have.
In this context it is difficult to say when we will be able to celebrate the Sacraments of First Confession, first Holy Communion and Confirmation which our children from the parish have been preparing for so eagerly. Our sacramental celebrations are always communal celebrations and there is a sizable number of children preparing for these Sacraments from all schools within our parishes.
Given the communal nature of the celebrations and the health safety of all who may be involved with the Sacraments especially children and the most vulnerable, it is not possible to celebrate them unless we are able to come together as a worshipping community in our parish churches.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin updating further on the coronavirus situation stated the following on 15th April 2020, “I am being asked about First Communions and Confirmations. We can only begin to speak of timetables for these Sacraments when it will be possible once again to hold large gatherings of people, especially children and this is unlikely for some months.”
In this time of uncertainty it’s important that we continue the faith formation of our children in our homes. The initial foundation that was laid out by the school and parish in the past several months now needs to be continued at home in order to help the children to understand and appreciate the importance of the Sacraments and faith. Please find some time to read about and discuss faith, spirituality and morals. There are a number of online catholic resources which are free, informative and engaging.
Since we can’t gather physically as parish family for Eucharist and other prayers in our local churches, you are welcome to join the parish webcam from Mountview church via www.mountviewblakestownparish.ie The following prayers take place daily: Morning prayers 15 minutes before the daily Eucharist; Masses Monday to Friday at 9.15am, Saturday at 10am and Sunday at 10.30am; guided Holy Hour and Benediction after the morning Mass and daily evening prayers at 7pm. All other times you are welcome to spend some time in prayer in the presence of virtual exposition of Eucharist. Our parish has a WhatsApp broadcast group to keep in touch with everyone who wish to receive updates and news from the parish. If you wish to join this private messaging service from the parish please send by way of WhatsApp your name and number to 0892174317 and save this number on your phone.
The parish offices in Huntstown as well as in Mountview remain closed until further notice. However, Mountview church remains open daily from 8am to 7.30pm except for the Morning Masses. All the priests in the parish are always at your service and please do not hesitate to contact us if you need our service.
May the spirit of the Lord fill your homes this Easter season and always! Please, stay safe in these challenging times.
Fr. Binoy Mathew svd