In December of 2019 there was a news item about a new virus that had been detected in China. The report was well down the list of items on the reported news at that time. It was the first we were hearing of Coronavirus and Covid 19 which quickly became a global pandemic. Sanitising, facemasks and social distancing and different levels of governmental restrictions and guidelines have become so much of our daily routines. Now two years later Covid 19 and the new variant Omicron raises new worries and our lives are still lived with restrictions despite the roll out of the vaccine programme and boosters.

In June of 2019 our then newly ordained Bishop Fintan Gavin spoke of the challenges that lay ahead of us, especially with the need to engage with young people and the need to foster vocations. The pandemic has shown clearly the difficulties and hurdles that lie ahead for the diocese. The November meeting of the priests with the bishop in Killarney has made us aware of the need to work in collaboration with the people to allow a new Church to emerge. 

The pandemic has affected the life of the parish here and the parish activities. We can only look forward with hope to when we can again begin to engage fully with people and welcome them warmly back into the life of the parish.  

Our desire, hope and prayer is for a better 2022. We look forward with hope and look back in gratitude despite the difficulties we experienced. We know God is with us helping and supporting us no matter what we encounter in the coming year.

I wish you all God’s blessing for the New Year and may it be a happy and peaceful year for you and all your families.

Fr Kevin