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A message from the Irish bishops: “Keep Christ at the Centre of Christmas”
03/Dec/2020
A message from the Irish bishops:
“Keep Christ at the Centre of Christmas”
With the beginning of Advent last Sunday, preparations have begun in earnest in parishes
across the country for the celebration of Christmas – albeit in a very different context this
year. Priests working with Parish Pastoral Councils are making decisions at a local level on
how best to celebrate Christmas in a safe manner. We extend our sincere gratitude to parish
teams throughout the country - including stewards and cleaners - who generously ensure that
our churches are safe environments where people can confidently assemble for worship.
Their task, as Christmas approaches, will not be easy, and we appeal to all the faithful to
cooperate fully with them.
We strongly encourage the faithful to keep Christ at the centre of Christmas this year.
Clearly it will be impossible for our usual large congregations to assemble for Mass on
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We wish to remind Catholics that the obligation to attend
Mass on Sundays and Holy Days remains suspended during the pandemic. But Christmas is
about more than just one day. Families are welcome to attend Mass at some point during the
twelve days from Christmas Eve to Epiphany. Christmas Masses will also be widely available
over webcam and we strongly encourage families to “tune in” from the “domestic churches”
of their living rooms and join with those who are gathering in their local churches in
welcoming the birth of the Christ-child.
It is possible to experience the spiritual richness of this special season in many ways. Our
homes can become “little churches” where we invite the Christ-child in. The age-old
tradition of having a Christmas crib in the home and gathering there as a family to pray or to
sing a carol will be especially meaningful this year. We also invite families or “household
bubbles” to pay a visit to their local church at some time during the twelve days to offer a
Christmas prayer at the crib and pray together for their families and for those particularly
impacted by the pandemic.
The hope of Advent and the joy of Christmas inspire us to reach out to those in greatest need
at this time. Keep Christ at the centre this Christmas by bringing the hope and joy of his birth
to people who are sick, isolated, lonely or poor. A simple act of kindness can make such a
difference. Charities such as the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Crosscare, Trócaire and
World Missions Ireland will welcome much needed contributions as they have been unable to
raise funds in the normal way during the pandemic.
We are particularly conscious of those whose livelihoods have been seriously threatened by
the pandemic. We keep in mind those for whom Christmas time may bring feelings of
sadness – people coping with bereavement, families that cannot be together, those in care
homes who can only have limited visits from their loved ones. Christmas can be difficult for
Irish emigrants and migrants living in Ireland, who are unable to travel home. We pray that
the time will come very soon when sorrow will ease and loving connections can be fully
restored.
Traditionally many people turn at this time of the year to ask for God’s forgiveness and for
healing of spirit. Although it may not be possible for all who wish to go to Confession to
safely avail of the sacrament, we encourage the faithful to confidently place their trust in
God’s mercy through an Act of Perfect Contrition.
As we continue our journey through the season of Advent, waiting in joyful hope for the
coming of our Saviour, we are acutely aware of the yearning in our country and in our world
for hope and consolation. In some ways the Covid-19 restrictions open up greater
opportunities for prayer and for reflection, for family time and space to enter into the true
meaning of Christmas.
ENDS.