When I wrote the Christmas message last year, I hoped that 2021 would be a better year for us all as the vaccine programme was being planned to be rolled out and there was a sense of hope.

2021 was a difficult year for a lot of people due to the restrictions that were in place for the first few months of the year. Due to the present situation with regard to the virus we had to introduce tickets for our Christmas Masses again this year. There are 300 tickets available for each of the six Masses across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I invite all of you who can’t be with us in the church to join us for one of the on-line Masses on Christmas Eve (4pm, 6pm and 9pm) or Christmas Day (8.30am, 10am and 11.30am).

The link to the on-line Masses can be found on the parish website www.frankfieldgrange.ie .

At Christmas we normally look forward to the homecomings, the family togetherness for Christmas. This year again the celebration will be different. Not every family member may be able to get home this year.

We remember all those who will be working over Christmas, especially in the emergency services and those caring for the sick.  For some it will be a difficult time, missing loved ones who passed away or who will be away from home.

Yet it is the birth of a child that we celebrate, a child that went on to change the world and still does to this day. I pray that this celebration of the Lord’s birth will enlighten all your lives with hope, love and peace, and also the lives of those with whom you celebrate this year.   

Fr. Kevin