The Coronavirus Pandemic: updated Saturday 28th March 2020

In accordance with Government directives and Diocesan norms the following arrangements are in place, following the STAY AT HOME directive, operative until Easter Sunday, with exceptions.

· All Masses with congregations, Sunday and weekday,  are cancelled for the time being. Everyone is dispensed from the Sunday obligation.

· Mass will be celebrated behind closed doors at St Mary’s, Killybegs, and streamed live. Go to the parish website:

killybegsparish.com to get a link

              or go to mcnmedia.tv

Sunday Masses: 7pm (Vigil) & 11am.

Weekday Mass: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am.

A recording of one Sunday Mass will be available.

· The church will be open at the usual times 8am – 8pm, except during Mass, but subject to the Government’s very strict limits on movement and health directives. Use the hand sanitizer on entering and leaving.

· There will be no organised Adoration for the time being.

· Confirmation is postponed until further notice. First Communion arrangements are pending.

· There will be no baptisms or weddings for the time being .

All funeral services to be conducted only at the burial in the graveyard with no more than 4 family representatives, as per Covid-19 guidelines. This is a difficult one for families of loved ones who have died. A Funeral Mass may be said in the church (behind closed doors) which would be live-streamed. These extreme arrangements for the coming weeks are deemed necessary because of the extreme circumstances

· The Parish Newsletter will be available in the church and online as usual, from Friday 3pm.

· With the new restrictions on movement from last night, it’s vitally important that we take every precaution to protect ourselves and others from the Coronavirus.

We pray for all of you, especially those who are unwell and all who are caring for them. We are indebted to all health workers and to all in the retail and service industries.

· The Parish Office is operational by phone 074 9731013 and by email info@killybegsparish.com and Ann O’Donnell, Parish Secretary, can be contacted outside office hours on: 0876735139

May you live this day                                                                        Compassionate of heart,                                                                    Gentle in word,                                                                                                              Gracious in awareness,                                                                                            Courageous in thought,                                                                                          Generous in love.

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The parish of Killybegs, Na Cealla Beaga, (The Little Cells, The Little Churches) has probably existed since medieval times in common with many other parishes in the ancient See of Raphoe. “The origin and position of ‘The Little Churches’ from which this parish derives its name are nowhere explained in ecclesiastical history or on the biographies of our saints. Tradition presents the village as dedicated to St Catherine as its patron when the ‘Little Churches’ or monastic ‘cells’ were first erected on its peaceful banks.” ( A History of the Diocese of Raphoe, E Maguire 1920). Read more… The church underwent major restoration work May 2011 to October 2012. Check progress reports on the work in  Restoration Project here… You can donate to the Restoration Fund via Paypal by clicking on the link below…