A Very Warm Welcome to the Parish of Magheralin

St. Patrick's & St. Ronan's,                     St. Colman's Kilwarlin, Bottier Road 
Belfast Road Magheralin.                        Moira.

Updated:  23rd January 2021.  (Please note, to view current content you may have to refresh your browser).

Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland statement of 7th January 2021 suspending public masses in support of the Stay at Home health message
Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland: “As many people as possible stay at home for the sake of health, life and the Common Good”
“Faith and prayer can be a tremendous support to individuals and society during these difficult times”

Statement

Following further briefing today by the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Officer, and in consultation with The Executive Office, we are very concerned at the current serious public health position in which Northern Ireland finds itself: with the extremely high level of transmission of the Covid-19 virus; the continuing escalation of numbers in hospital and intensive care; the number of associated deaths; and, the increasingly unsustainable pressure on our healthcare staff.  The clear message from health officials is that this situation is going to worsen significantly over the coming weeks.

We recognise the efforts of so many in our parishes who have been working to ensure that our gatherings for public worship are as safe as possible and we welcome the continuing engagement between the faith communities and the NI Executive which has led to consensus between us on the importance of people being able to gather in person for worship.  At this time, however, we acknowledge and support the unequivocal message from public health authorities that the movement and gathering of people should be minimised and that as many people as possible stay at home for the sake of health, life and the Common Good.

In light of our ongoing consultations and of the current serious and worsening situation, and in line with clear public health guidance that people should stay at home, we have decided that for a limited period (from midnight on Thursday 7 January until Saturday 6 February 2021, subject to review in late January), the celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgies should take place without the physical presence of the faithful – with the exception of marriage, funeral, baptismal liturgies and drive-in services (subject to regulations).  Arrangements for recording and/or livestreaming, and making individual visits for private prayer are also permissible in accordance with regulations.  We encourage parishes, where possible, to continue to broadcast the celebration of Mass – and other devotions and prayer services – online and on other media, knowing that faith and prayer can be a tremendous support to individuals and society during these difficult times.

We make this decision reluctantly, conscious that not being able to gather for public worship can cause pain for all the faithful, but in the hope that this limited period of sacrifice will be for the protection of life and health and for the greater good of all.  We once more ask for prayers for the sick, the bereaved and all those whose livelihoods have been particularly impacted by the pandemic.  We keep in our prayers all health workers, carers, chaplains and other essential workers.  We welcome the announcement that a similar position is being taken by the leaders of the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland and many other denominations and faith communities in response to the unequivocal message from public health authorities that as many people as possible stay at home at this time.

Most Rev Eamon Martin DD                                              

Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of All-Ireland

Apostolic Administrator of Dromore

Post Current Lockdown Covid Restrictions.
As before, please note that due to Covid-19 restrictions numbers in each church will be limited but during Mass at Magheralin video links to the Prayer Room and our adjacent Parish Hall will enable further people to be accommodated if required.

Parishioners will be guided to appropriate seats by stewards and given advice as required on how to follow the one way system that is in place both for receiving Holy Communion and leaving the church at the end of Mass.

Face Coverings - the latest update.
Archbishop Eamon Martin (along with the other Christian church leaders all over this island) has formally recommended and encouraged the use of face coverings at all Masses and other liturgical celebrations, together with the on-going maintenance of the 2 metre physical distancing with immediate effect. 

Please remember that you will need to follow the guidelines outlined below during attendance at Mass:-
-Use sanitisers on entry and exit to the church.
-Keep your hands away from your face  and try to touch surfaces within the church as   little  as possible.
-To ensure sufficient social distancing is maintained sit only where directed by the stewards and do not attempt to move seating.
-Follow steward's instructions on when and where to go to receive Holy Communion.
-Please take communion in your hand only.
-Do not attend church if you or someone in your household is unwell or has   Covid-19 symptoms.

Please bear in mind that the Sunday and Holy Day obligation to attend Mass is still suspended, and it is advisable that if you are in any of the designated vulnerable categories, are elderly or infirm or have any concerns in this area you should avoid any large gatherings until further notice.

Thank you for your co-operation and thank you to everyone who volunteered as stewards to facilitate the weekend masses.
Fr. Conor McConville

Viewing daily & weekend Masses on Webcams.
To find out where and when weekday and weekend Masses can be viewed on webcams please go to the links page and click on the appropriate parish links.

Baptism.
Please note that Baptisms & Weddings can now take place subject to compliance with Covid-19 requirements.