On Thursday 22 February, the Parish Team organised a meeting with local funeral directors. The main item on the agenda was “Funeral Services” as distinct from “Funeral Masses”. It is important for families to know that, at the time of a funeral for a loved one, there is the option of a funeral service in the parish church as an alternative to a funeral Mass. Not all families wish to have a funeral Mass. We will distribute more information about this in the coming weeks.

Similarly, the Sacraments of Marriage and Confirmation can be held within a Marriage Service and Confirmation Service, rather than within a Eucharist / Mass. 

This is all a reflection of the changing times where many profess a faith, a prayer life, and a spirituality while, at the same time, feel detached from the Mass and do not attend.