VIDEO: How one Athlone parish is preparing for its return to public Masses

The parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Athlone has made a video to show parishioners what to expect when its Church services resume from Monday next (July 20).

While many parishes across the country returned to public worship at the end of June, the retention of a 50-person limit on attendees delayed the resumption of services in Ss Peter & Paul's parish, St Anthony's Friary, and St Mary's Parish in Athlone.

Guidance subsequently issued by the Government allowed for religious services with attendance of more than 50 people in certain circumstances, such as in larger Churches where social distancing can be maintained.

As a result, the Athlone parishes last weekend announced their plans to recommence services from this coming Monday.

Fr John Deignan, the parish priest for Ss Peter & Paul's, told the Westmeath Independent today (Friday) that he didn't believe the guidance on Church services had changed as a result of the Government announcement this week about the delay to the country's next reopening phase.

"The whole thing is very confusing, but there don't appear to have been any changes made in regard to Church," said Fr Deignan.

"Last week there were guidelines issued with regard to Church, and we don't believe there's been any change made to those, so the plan is to go ahead (with the resumption of services from Monday)."

He said some people were still nervous about returning to Church, and he was hopeful that the video would help to illustrate the safety measures that will be in place before, during and after Mass services.

You can watch the video here: