A Facebook page dedicated to documenting the suffering of those going without public worship in Ireland has “given a voice to people”.
Sandra Parda, of the ‘We Need Worship’ page told The Irish Catholic that the testimonies pouring in from around the country, and given a platform by the page, just “make my heart break”.
“There’s a lot of young people, but we also hear from elderly people who don’t have anything, and the sacraments are denied to them,” Ms Parda said.
“We’ve been frustrated with the Government and the bishops,” Ms Parda said, continuing “it doesn’t seem to work to talk to them”.
“I feel exhausted because I just don’t feel like it’s my job to be pleading with the bishops to open back our churches and explaining to them the importance of Mass,” she explained.
“And yet I and many other people had to step up, even when I don’t feel like it’s really our place to do so, with having bishops who are supposed to lead us.”
Surprised
She described being surprised by their response to the pandemic, but said, “I love them and pray for them” and that she “can’t imagine what a hard job that is, to lead the flock”.
The initiative, which was started by a number of young people from around the country and continues to be run by them despite their full-time employment and education, has received “good feedback”.
Segments of the Irish media took notice of its “Let us go to Mass” campaign last November, which saw dozens of young people pleading with the Government for a return to public Mass.
“We were delighted with the feedback,” Ms Parda said.
“Secular viewers didn’t realise there were young people involved [in the push to get back to Mass]. They were shocked at the young people out there”.
