‘We can still reach out this Christmas’, says Clonoe priest

A CLONOE cleric has said we must reach out to those vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours who may be facing a Christmas of renewed isolation due to increasing fears over the new Covid variant.

Speaking on Wednesday, as Stormont ministers met to discuss possible new restrictions, Canon Benny Fee said he was aware of an increasing anxiety over the spread of Omicron, but said we all still had the capability to reach out.

Rising fears over Covid have also seen local hospitality venues severely hit with cancellations and drastically reduced numbers at what’s supposed to be their busiest time of the year.

“We know that this won’t be a normal Christmas for a lot of people, because there are many people in our community who are understandably concerned and feeling anxious,” said the Clonoe Parish Priest.

“But thankfully we can still reach out, whether it’s through a call on the phone or speaking to each other through the wonders of social media.

“The whole message of Christmas is about reaching out. God reached out to us through the birth of his son Jesus Christ.”

“It is that wonderful message which we must remember. It is also a message from God that he is with us and that we have not been forgotten.”