Parish of Aghagallon & Ballinderry

Welcome back to Mass!

Please check the bulletin or contact the parish office for updated information on booking weddings, baptisms, time for confessions, etc.  Due to restrictions some details on the website will not apply at the moment.

There are ushers to welcome, advise and reassure parishioners of the procedures in place. We ask that all parishioners adhere to diocesan/government policies and procedures in relation to Covid19 whilst on church property. These guidelines have been put in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Currently, there is no obligation to attend Mass on Sundays or Holy Days and people who have been asked to shield by their doctor are advised not to visit the Church.  Please do not enter the Church if you are feeling unwell. The Church will remain open between 9am-6pm each day for Private/Personal Prayer. Please ensure that all health and safety advice is followed and touching surfaces or products, unless absolutely necessary. The windows/doors will be open to ensure the Church is well ventilated. A face covering must be worn at all times on Church grounds and within St Patrick’s Church, unless you are exempt. We regret that the sacristy will remain closed.

Daily and Sunday Mass: There will be a variable capacity, depending on how many parishioners attend as individuals or as families/households. To ensure there is adequate time for cleaning, we ask you not to arrive at the Church more than 30 minutes prior to Mass beginning and to leave promptly when Mass ends. Please sanitise your hands as you enter and leave the Church and before and after using the Shrines. Always maintain a distance of at least two metres between you and people who are not part of your household. We will be using every third pew for seating, which can accommodate two people with a 2 metre distance, or a full household, who are not required to socially distance. We will have 23 pews available and when we reach our capacity (46 – 140 variable); we are required to close the Church. Please take leaflets/bulletins home with you. Holy Communion will be received from the pews, as we cannot meet the 2m requirement if people were processing down the side aisle.

Volunteers To keep our church as safe as possible for parishioners all volunteers must wear a mask, even if wearing a shield.

Funerals: The NI Executive have announced a change to Health Protection Regulations in relation to Funeral Services and Requiem Masses. The number permitted to attend funerals will be determined following individual risk assessments which will establish variable capacity, with no pre or post funeral gatherings on Church grounds. While in the Church, everyone must be seated individually, with family or with others who are part of their bubble. Funerals will continue to be streamed for others to watch at home. Available Times for Requiem Masses in St Patrick’s Church are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10a.m. Tuesday and Thursday: 10am or 12 noon.  Sunday: 9am