THE Diocese of Kerry has urged the public to fly a flag outside their homes or businesses this weekend to mark the feast of the patron saint of Kerry St Brendan.
With the feast day this Sunday and congregations at Mass limited to 50 people, the church has acknowledged that it will not be possible for parishes and groups to celebrate the occasion by gathering in large numbers.
Instead it is suggested that parishes, schools, clubs, businesses and households put out a flag any time before Monday to celebrate the occasion.
“As the freedoms we have in our lives increase, the flags can be a mark of our gratitude to those who worked in frontline, emergency and essential services in the difficult early months of this year and also an expression of thanks to those who are currently administering the vaccines to us all,” the diocese said.
While some may favour a religious or Papal flag or emblem outside their home, the priests of the diocese have stressed that a county flag or the parish colours would be considered perfectly sufficient.
“As we continue to limit our contacts, we do not need to go shopping for a flag. We can just fly one which we may already have available in our homes,” they said.
People have also been invited to visit one of the churches in the diocese named after patron saint which are Carraig Church, Paroiste an Fheirtearaigh, Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church, Tralee, St Brendan’s Church, Ardfert, St Brendan’s Church, Cloghane, St Brendan’s Church, Clogher, Ballymacelligott and St Brendan’s Church, Curraheen.
Special emblem flags dedicated to St Brendan have been erected on both sides of the altar in St Mary’s Cathedral.
