Summary of notes from Archbishop Eamon regarding Coronovirus Guidelines - 13 March

Summary of notes to accompany episcopal conference guidelines of 11-12 March 2020

• In the current emergency situation, all are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass.  
  
• I am advising that the public celebration of Mass is suspended.
  
• The idea of having small Masses of up to 100 people is intended to be an EXCEPTION rather than a rule and is mainly to facilitate the holding of funeral services or weddings for immediate family members and close relatives only.
• In any gatherings please also encourage safe spacing of a metre in accordance with public health authority advice and also to refrain from shaking hands or other physical contact as a means of expressing sympathy.
  

•  All Confirmations are postponed until further notice.  We will make new arrangements as soon as it is safe to do so.
  
•  First Confessions, Communions, etc. should also be suspended until further notice. 
  
•  All non-essential pastoral gatherings and meetings, such as formation gatherings, retreats and seminars are cancelled.