An innovative novena mass, held in Limerick city, was launched on the internet this morning.
Novena.ie will stream live services online several times daily until next Saturday when the novena ends. The facility is part of a new church website run by the Redemptorist order.
Fr Séamus Enright said there had been 3,000 hits to the site in recent days and people have also sent in e-mail prayer requests.
He said members of the cyber congregation watching via a webcam online have included a house-bound lady who can not make it to Mount St Alphonsus church where the novenas are conducted.
“We got an e-mail from a man who said his dad had died recently and his mum was not mobile. He has put the novena on the internet each evening for her, over the last number of days, and this has made her so happy. So for me, setting this up has been worthwhile as it allows us to connect with other people,” said Fr Enright.