As Co. Kildare was unexpectedly freed from lockdown on Monday, the Dominicans at St Eustace Priory in Newbridge moved swiftly to open up for public Mass just 90 minutes after the easing.
Parishioners commented on social media about how impressed they were with the quick thinking friars.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr John Harris O.P of St Eustance Priory told of the speed at which they had to work. “We got the news we were being released,” he laughs, “and we had an hour to prepare.”
Preparation involved sanitising the church, a task that had been maintained during the regionalised lockdown as it remained open for private prayer.
“It was very important: we were open for private prayer,” Fr Harris said.
“We were sanitising every day anyway because of that, so that wasn’t such a problem,” he said.
The rapid progression of events ensured there weren’t too many attending the Mass, but “some had come on the off chance. People were very happy with it. Not just last night, but this morning as well,” Fr Harris said.
“Today, Masses are back for the most part,” he continues.
The news of the lockdown’s end came as an enormous relief to the citizens of Co. Kildare, who had been labouring under further restrictions due to local outbreaks of Covid-19. Fr Harris summed up the general atmosphere: “It’s great to have the Sacraments back.”