Church of the Holy Child  May 10th begins our return to attending Mass after this long period of lockdown. It is a great day but it is not a "return to normal" as if it were all over. Since we are not yet back to anything like normal, as if it was March 12th 2020 and the last 14 months had not happened, we are still living in a pandemic situation and have to continue to maintain the various precautions - hand washing/sanitising, wearing a face covering and keeping our distance.  Our maximum numbers in the Church of the Holy Child is 150, comprised of 3 pods of 50. In Blessed Margaret Ball the maximum is 50. Funerals (and weddings if there are any) will be capped at 50 regardless of the size of the building. Funerals are still regarded as private family gatherings. Communion will continue to be received in the hand only - please keep your hand as flat as possible to avoid contact between you and the Minister of Communion. Follow the one way system in operation and leave the building in an orderly way after Mass as directed by the stewards to avoid crowds or small gatherings of people inside or outside.  We continue, in many ways, to work on a reduced and "temporary timetable." the Parish Centre continues to be closed and unavailalbe for any gatherings or meetings.  All our liturgies will continue to be live streamed. This has been a great blessing and benefit for so many but it is not the same as gathering together in person to celebrate what we are as Church and as the People of God.  We will, for the present, return to public daily morning Mass Monday to Friday at 9.15a.m. Funerals in these days will be at 10.30a.m. to allow for the exiting of people after the 9.15a.m. Mass and the cleaning and sanitising of the building before the funeral.  We will not resume the Saturday morning 10am. Mass except for funerals at present. Our weekend Masses will be the anticipated Sunday Mass at 7.00p.m. on Saturday evenings here in Holy Child, and on Sundays we will celebrate the 10a.m. Mass in Blessed Margaret Ball; and 10.30a.m. and 12.30p.m. Mass here in Holy Child. We will not commence the Sunday evening Mass for the present.  We need to be reminded of the various protocols that are in place for the health and safety of all. We are doing all we can to ensure your safe return to public worship. Please play your part by following the directions given by the stewards - remember they are ordinary parishioners like yourselves, who have volunteered to be of assistance to you in these times.  Please note the Sunday obligation to attend Mass is still suspended at the present time.  Fr. Paul Kenny - Moderator         Donating to the Parish of Larkhill, Whitehall and Santry during the COVID-19 crisis