Young priests volunteer for funerals

Published: Tue 7 Apr 2020, 4:02 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2020, 5:05 PM

A panel of 18 young priests have volunteered to take funerals “whenever and wherever” needed in the Diocese of Kilmore, as the church does what it can to manage the demands in the current Coronavirus crisis.

“Many of our priests are elderly and in the vulnerable group who are being asked to cocoon themselves at this time,” explained Monsignor Liam Kelly, administrator for the Diocese of Kilmore. “All priests are still there in their parishes, saying Masses privately and praying for you.
“You may contact them by telephone should you need anything.
“However, due to government restrictions, those who are over 70 years of age cannot be available for funerals or other public duties at this time.”
He said of the young priests who have stepped forward to assist in taking funerals: “We are very grateful to them for volunteering.”
Concerning funerals, Mons Kelly stated that the present time is “particularly difficult” for grieving families whose loved one has died.
In some instances, relatives are unable to be with their loved one in their last hours, he acknowledged.
“Many family members are unable to attend the funerals or burials of their loved ones. So, these are harrowing times for people who are grieving, and we keep all who have died and their loved ones in our prayers.”
His comments come as the Diocese deals with a number of cross-jurisdictional anomalies arising out of restrictions caused by the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Diocese of Kilmore covers most of Co Cavan, but spans also into parts of counties Leitrim, Fermanagh, Meath and Sligo.
A similar situation faces the Diocese of Clogher, consisting of Co Monaghan, much of Co Fermanagh, with parts of Tyrone and Donegal, and the Diocese of Armagh, taking in parts of Co Louth and most of Co Meath, also.
While national guidelines around social distancing are the same for parishes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, churches south of the Border remain open for private prayer; while in the North, regulations are that all places of worship and all cemeteries, with the exception of times of funerals, must remain closed.

Holy week ceremonies

Holy Week ceremonies will be taking place in the Cathedral in Cavan and in the parish churches throughout the Diocese of Kilmore.
These ceremonies will be held behind closed doors but some churches have webcams or other digital media in place so that parishioners can link into the Holy Week liturgies.
“These links have proved a great source of strength and consolation for people,” said Mons Kelly.
“These are difficult times for everybody as we are living with the fear of the coronavirus and struggling with the restrictions that are in place. I would ask that you continue to observe the government regulations as they are designed to keep you and others safe and are there to protect a whole variety of health care workers who are doing heroic work on our behalf,” said Mons Kelly.
He asked that people continue to keep health care workers in their prayers, “to protect them and to give success to the work of their hands”.
Mons Kelly is urging people to be patient. “Stay safe and stay hopeful because this crisis will pass and, please God, there will be happier days ahead for us all,” he said.

The following are parishes with webcam or other digital media links in the diocese of Kilmore, with details of ceremonies that will be broadcast on-line this week.

Cathedral of SS Patrick and Felim, Cavan: https://www.churchservices.tv/cavancathedral

Thursday 6.30pm. Mass of the Last Supper

Good Friday 3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion/ 6.30pm Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday 8.00pm Mass of the Easter Vigil.

Easter Sunday 10.00am Mass of the Resurrection.

St. Mogue's, Bawnboy: www.corloughtempleport.com/livestream/

Thursday 8.00pm. Mass of the Last Supper

Good Friday 3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion/ 7.00pm Stations of the Cross/ 9.00pm Prayer around the Cross

Holy Saturday 9.00pm Mass of the Easter Vigil.

St. Anne’s Bailieborough: www.churchservices.tv/stannesbailieborough

Thursday 7.30pm. Mass of the Last Supper

Good Friday 3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion/ 7.00pm Stations of the Cross