COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.
Most common symptoms:
- fever
- dry cough
- tiredness
Less common symptoms:
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- diarrhoea
- conjunctivitis
- headache
- loss of taste or smell
- a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
Serious symptoms:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- chest pain or pressure
- loss of speech or movement
Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.
LATEST CORONAVIRUS UPDATES FOR PARISHES
Clarification for Parishes regarding Level 5 Restrictions dated 04-Mar-2021
Dear Father
Further to questions raised at some of the deanery meetings during the week, I have been asked to clarify the following matters:
- The sacrament of Baptism must be celebrated only in exceptional circumstances, that is in danger of death.
- Under current restrictions all religious services continue to take place online. In the interest of health and safety priests and parishes ought not to succumb to requests to distribute Holy Communion before or after Mass, in or outside churches. Drive-in Masses are not permitted as no gatherings of people outdoors or indoors are permitted. Holy Communion can only be distributed in the church to mourners attending a Funeral Mass, to those celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage and to the essential ministers that make celebration of Mass online possible, (e.g., Minister of the Word, Sacristan).
- Arrangements for the celebration of First Holy Communion and Confirmation should not be made until Government / HSE / diocesan guidelines indicate that it is safe to do so.
- Churches remain open for private prayer only. Liturgies and devotions (exposition of the blessed sacrament, rosary, stations of the cross) can take place in closed churches, online only.
These queries arose at the deanery meetings via Zoom earlier this week. I hope these clarifications will help solidarity between confreres and parishes so that together we can overcome the threat of the coronavirus in the community. Hopefully we will be able to return to public worship and the celebration of the Sacraments as soon as possible thus strengthening and supporting faith communities on our pilgrim journey.
+Dermot Farrell
Archbishop of Dublin
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FROM 30 DECEMBER 2020
Following the Government announcement on 30 December 2020, we have moved back to Level 5 Restrictions, the following Religious Service restrictions apply:
RELIGIOUS SERVICES:
- Religious services will move online.
FUNERALS
- With effect from the 24th December 2020 up to 10 mourners can attend.
WEDDINGS
- With effect from 3 January 2020, up to 6 guests are permitted to attend a wedding ceremony and reception, whether indoors or outdoors.
From 27th December you must stay within your county unless you need to leave for essential purposes, which includes:
-
- to attend a wedding or funeral
- to visit a grave
These measures will be reviewed at the beginning of April 2021.
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FROM 01 DECEMBER 2020
On 01 December 2020, we returned to Level 3 Lockdown. Special concessions have been put in place for Places of Worship to reopen for religious services during Level 3, from 01 December 2020 in light of the upcoming Christmas period and which will be reviewed in January 2021.
This will allow for up to 50 worshippers to attend Services with the following protective measures:
- The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays is suspended.
- Our experience of Mass will be different for many months yet.
- You might consider spreading the participation in Mass across the week.
- Parishioners who are vulnerable or unwell, especially those with any symptoms that might suggest Covid-19 infection, should stay at home and, if possible, participate via webcam, social media, television, or radio. The same applies to those who have been in recent contact with someone who has the virus in accordance with public health advice. Masses can be viewed from our Church’s website: palmerstownparish.com.
- Please refrain from congregating outside the premises before and after Mass and do your best not to block the doors entering and leaving.
- Please adhere to the physical distancing of 2 meters while entering and leaving the Church.
- We encourage the wearing of face masks.
- Sanitize your hands on entering and exiting the Church.
- The use of Holy Water fonts is not permitted
- Please go to and remain in the place shown you by volunteer stewards and respect the physical distancing of 2 meters (members of the same household can sit/stand close together).
- The use of Sunday Missalettes and hymn sheets is not permitted. To assist our parishioners, we have on sale The Sunday Missal (the order of Mass for Sundays and Holy Days for the three-year lectionary cycle). Copies are available to buy from the sacristy in the Church before during and after Masses at a cost €13.00.
- There is no physical Sign of Peace until further notice.
- Please leave patiently and promptly after Mass.
Supports for Older and Vulnerable People
COVID-19 Community Supports are now in place to ensure vulnerable members of the community are reached and helped at this time. These comprise the local authority, Health Service Executive, County Champions, An Post, Community Welfare Service, An Garda Síochána, other State organisations, charities and other stakeholders. If you would like any assistance, please telephone our Helpline 01-4149043 with the lines initially open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week. Out of hours email contact through covidsupport@sdublincoco.ie
ALONE national support line for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Website: https://alone.ie/
Senior Line is a national, confidential listening service for older people, run by trained older volunteers. If you are feeling worried, stressed or isolated at this very unnerving time, please feel free to ring this FREEPHONE service anytime between 10am and 10pm on any day of the week on 1800 80 45 91. Website: https://www.thirdageireland.ie/seniorline
Age Action and the Irish Red Cross have raised funds to provide additional assistance to older and vulnerable people around Ireland who are experiencing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic by making once-off grants, up to a maximum of €500, per person/household affected. Email: hardship2020@redcross.ie, Phone: Irish Red Cross at 01 6424600 or Tel: (01) 475 6989 Lo Call: 1890 369369 Website: https://www.ageaction.ie/
Women’s Aid. The Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline offers confidential information, support and understanding to women who are being abused by current or former boyfriends, partners or husbands. Tel: 1800 341 900 / 01 678 8858 Email: info@womensaid.ie Website: https://www.womensaid.ie/help/
Men’s Aid Ireland formerly known as Amen, is the only dedicated national service supporting men and their families experiencing Domestic Violence in Ireland. Tel: 01-5543811/5394277 E-mail: hello@mensaid.ie Website: https://www.mensaid.ie/
ISPCC Dublin The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) is Ireland’s national child protection charity. Call: 01 676 7960 Email: ispcc@ispcc.ie Website: https://www.ispcc.ie/
Pieta House. Pieta provides free therapy to those engaging in self-harm, with suicidal ideation, or bereaved by suicide. Freephone and no referral needed. Tel: 1800 247 247 Website: https://www.pieta.ie/
FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS UPDATES
Update 15 February 2021
Hello Everyone,
Please find below the link to a recorded message by Archbishop Dermot Farrell to the parents of children due to receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhHjlc23UWA&feature=youtu.be
It expresses to them and to parish communities the broad approach which is being taken: there is no pressure to celebrate the sacraments by any given deadline; we should use this time of uncertainty to support families to nurture their children as they journey towards the sacraments whenever they can be safely celebrated; and we are creating supports and resources for parishes to draw on in their accompaniment of families.’
Regards
Dermot McCarthy (on behalf of Diocesan Sacraments Implementation Group)
Archdiocese of Dublin
Update 18 January 2021
RE: FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
I hope that you and family continue to be safe and well in current challenging times.
We have not yet had an opportunity to celebrate First Communion with your family and we cannot determine when it may be permissible to do so.
We are initiating the registration process with the 2021 class. However, I would like to assure you that the celebration of First Holy Communion with those who are waiting since May 2020 will be our priority and will be facilitated first.
As I said in my last communication, all arrangements are governed by guidelines from the Diocese built on the directives from the HSE and NPHET. As soon as we know how to proceed, we will be in touch with you. There is no point ringing or emailing for more up-to-date information as we will provide it as soon as we possibly can.
I am currently in isolation due to having contracted COVID since Christmas, which I am sure has been the situation for some of your own family and friendship circles. Let us pray for one another that we may all emerge with good health soon again.
Every blessing on each member of your family.
Canon Tony Reilly, Parish Priest
Update 29 November 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians
RE: FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
I hope that you and your family are well and have good health in current times.
It is regrettable that it has not yet been possible for your child to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, despite our efforts in September/October. However, the good health of all must be guarded first.
We will re-schedule the celebrations of First Holy Communion as early as we possibly can in the New Year and will communicate the dates as soon as it is possible to do so, hopefully at the beginning of January. We are very much aware of how difficult this has been, and is, for you and your family.
We will presume that all who have registered to receive First Holy Communion still wish to do so, unless you inform us otherwise. If, for any reason, you do not wish that your child receives First Holy Communion at this stage, please let us know through the parish email address – parishoffice@palmerstownparish.com.
In the meantime, Advent has arrived – the time of preparation for Christmas. Advent provides the opportunity for us to prepare our hearts and lives to welcome Jesus anew into our lives. Advent offers the gift of hope in Christmas in the dark winter months.
Please continue to pray with your child each day and read the Grow in Love book with him/her or listen to what they learn about faith in school as ongoing preparation for First Communion. You may wish to join us for Mass on the webcam at www.palmerstownparish.com. Keep an eye on the parish website for information about Christmas also.
Every blessing on each member of your family.
Canon Tony Reilly, Parish Priest
Update 18 September 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians
As you may be aware, the First Communion Ceremonies which were scheduled to take place in May were cancelled due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.
We had rescheduled the First Communion Ceremonies for the boys and girls of our Parish. However, on 18 September 2020, in the light of the very worrying increase in infection in the Dublin area, the entire County Dublin will be placed on Level 3 of the Government’s COVID-19 Resilience and National Recovery Plan for at least a three-week period commencing midnight on 18 September 2020.
In keeping with the Level 3 Government Guidelines, this means that our Church will have to remain closed from midnight 18 September 2020, except for weddings and funerals. Attendance at wedding liturgies and funerals would be limited to 25.
Therefore, it is with deep regret that I must inform you that the First Holy Communions scheduled for the following dates will have to be postponed until the Level 3 Covid-19 Resilience and National Recovery Plan has been lifted: –
Saturday, 19th September 2020
Saturday, 26th September 2020
Saturday, 3rd October 2020
Saturday, 10th October 2020.
We have advised the parents/guardians of candidates who were due to receive their First Holy Communion on 19 September 2020 and we will be communicating with the parents/guardians of candidates in respect of the other dates early next week.
I would also refer to you to communication received by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin dated 19 September regarding Level 3 Lockdown for your reference.
We ask for your prayers for our young people who are preparing for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion during these difficult times.
Canon Tony Reilly, Parish Priest
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