13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Graduation Reflection
Class of 2020, Scoil na nUamhanna, Ovens
We have been together for eight years,
Sharing our hopes, dreams and fears.
But in March, we were sent home to stay,
Learning online was our new school day.
We made rainbow pictures and went out to cheer,
The key workers protecting those we hold dear.
What should have been a time of celebration,
Became a time of worry and isolation.
But what we have learnt in a time like this,
Is what’s truly important and the friends we miss.
It has not been the final year we had hoped,
But we’re amazed at your strength and how well you’ve coped.
Hold on to the memories that we have shared,
Remembering friends and those who cared.
The class of 2020 will hold a place in our heart,
For the courage you’ve shown from the very start.
You have carried on regardless during this period of change,
And continued on when things were strange.
You’re moving on to somewhere new,
Filled with the confidence you need to see you through.
From all at the school, we wish you the best,
Smiles and hard work will be your key to success.
Returning to Mass and the Sacraments
As you may be aware, our Churches will reopen for Mass and the Sacraments on this Monday, 29th June. But, of course, it will be very different. Social distancing and all the necessary HSE recommendations will need to be followed.
With 2 metre distancing the capacity of both our Churches will be 45. This will be fine for weekday Masses, but weekends will be challenging. To help in this the obligation of Sunday Mass has been suspended for the present. So rather than all who wish to attend Mass, doing so at the weekend, some may come on weekdays, making this your Sunday Mass. This may be especially so for those who feel vulnerable in any way. It would also leave room for those who may only be able to attend Mass at the weekends. To facilitate this the weekday Mass on Monday week, 6th July will be at 7.30pm. There will be no morning Mass on that day.
The Parish Assembly and the Finance Committee are working on these challenges. There will be a sticker with a green mark on designated seats and signs will be in place. Stewards will also help with arrangements.
Newly installed Webcam
The Parish Finance Committee have installed a Webcam in Ovens Church and outside speakers have also been installed in Farran Church (Ovens Church already has this facility, which proved very useful at recent funerals when so few were allowed in the church). Ovens weekday and weekend Masses will be available on the Webcam, commencing this Wednesday 1st July, and may be accessed through the Parish Website: www.ovensparish.com. It is important that people are aware of this. Please God this too will also assist the sick and housebound, and also those who may feel vulnerable at the moment. They will be able to pray the Mass with their faith community.
Weekend Mass Times:
Ovens: Vigil: Saturday @ 7.30pm. Sunday @ 11.30am.
Farran: Vigil: Saturday @ 6pm. Sunday @ 9.30am.
Weekday Masses this week:
Ovens: 9.30am Monday, Wednesday and Friday (First Friday)
Farran: 9.30am Tuesday and Thursday.
Ovens Church:
Entry: By the main door.
Exit: By the side doors.
One way system.
Live Streamed Masses
The Live Streamed Masses since 19th April, eleven weekends, have been very successful and have linked us not only locally but also with so many of our people and families overseas. They have linked us in prayer.
We extend our thanks to Roger O’Sullivan who has been so very generous with his time and expertise over all those weekends. It has united us in prayer and also joined us with family and friends in different parts of the world. It has given us an awareness of the many places in our parish where the Word of God was proclaimed in centuries past and of their beauty.
Thanks to all who took part in the Masses so willingly and enhanced our Liturgies.
Offertory Collection:
The baskets will no longer be passed around. There will be special boxes at each door, where you may contribute on entry or exit.
Sincere thanks to all who have so generously returned their envelopes over the past few months, these would usually have come in at the weekend Masses. Thanks to those who may not have been using envelopes but who have made a contribution in their own way. Thanks also to those who have returned the Easter Dues envelopes.
Email Address:
Please note that our new Email Address is:
ovensfarranparish@gmail.com