A Christmas we will never forget ....

Christmas has always featured large on the horizon of each year. It's always a special time for togetherness among families and friends, a time for celebration. People go to great lengths to be with others at this time of year. Airports and ferry ports are usually buzzing with those returning home. Our churches are usually packed to the rafters for Christmas, there's something about the feast that impels us to come together.

Christmas 2020 will however be very different. The restrictions of the pandemic have curtailed all our celebrations and the church is no exception. St. Mary's is restricted to a congregation of just 69 people, one 'pod' of 50 and one of 19, this is possible where 'pods' have no interaction and people enter and exit by separate doors. The latest regulations stipulate that there must be a one hour interval between the end of on Mass and the commencement of the next which has necessitated a change in Mass times.

St. Mary's - Christmas Masses
As it will not be possible to accommodate the usual numbers we have decided that the only fair way of allocating places is by a Lottery. You can either fill in the forms available in the porch of the Church or enter your details on the parish website: www.lucanparish.com

Please note that it is not possible to specify a particular Mass when entering the draw - just the preferred day. Tickets will be required for the three Vigil Masses on Christmas Eve 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm & 9:00 pm, for the Christmas Day Masses 7:00 am, 9:00 am & 11:00 am, and for the two morning Masses on St. Stephen's Day at 10:00 am & 12:00 noon.

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRY TO THE DRAW IS WEDNESDAY 16TH Dec.

PLEASE DO NOT COME FOR MASS ON Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or St. Stephen's Day without a ticket, as admission will not be possible.

Holy Communion for all ....

For those unable to attend Mass on Christmas Day there will be the opportunity to receive Holy Communion.

We encourage you to watch the Mass online, and after the 11:00 am Mass on Christmas Day at 11;50 am Holy Communion will be available in the Church until 1:30 pm Entry will be from the rear door in the back car park, and exit by the main porch ay the side. The Crib will be outdoors, to facilitate a visit when people have received.

These arrangements are by no means ideal but we are doing what seems best in the circumstances and we rely on your good will and understanding.

Philip Curran
St. Mary's Lucan