Irish bishops publish pastoral message calling for return to Sunday Mass

A pastoral message from Irish bishops encouraging more Catholics to return to the practice of attending Sunday Mass was launched by the Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, Denis Nulty, last weekend.

The pastoral message, entitled 'Why Sunday Matters' was outlined by Bishop Nulty in a homily delivered at Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, Carlow.

He said that, with schools now having reopened, this was a time of new beginnings.

"This time of new beginnings offers us all an opportunity to take stock, and in doing so, on behalf of the Bishops, I invite you to reflect on your keeping of Sunday as the Lord’s Day," he said.

"Today I launch a Pastoral message titled 'Why Sunday Matters'. Sunday Mass offers us the rhythm for the week that follows. From the very beginning of our Christian faith, Sunday has been central to the life of the Church and remains the heart of Christian practice.

"If perhaps your practice has slipped and other things have taken priority; if perhaps you have become accustomed to the webcam; if perhaps since the Covid pandemic you have simply ‘gotten out of the habit’, I encourage you to return, know that you are missed and know that you will be welcome," said the bishop.

This accompanying YouTube video was also published as part of the pastoral message: