The Catholic Church in Ireland is urging parishioners who may have ceased attending mass during the Covid-19 pandemic to return.
It said those who may have become accustomed to watching mass via webcams and are out of the habit of attending or whose practice has slipped due to other priorities will be welcome back.
All Catholic bishops are supporting the initiative which is being led by Bishop Denis Nulty.
In a pastoral message, he outlined 'Why Sunday Matters' at Carlow Cathedral this morning.
In his homily, he said that from the beginning of the Christian faith, Sunday was central to the life of the Church and remained at the heart of Christian practice.
He said Sunday Mass offered a "rhythm" for the week that followed.
The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin described the pandemic as "a grace in itself", because the Eucharist had been turned into a routine habit.
He said: "This is what we missed most during those pandemic days. Sunday worship was disrupted; the sacramental life of the parish was put on hold.
"Some have not returned to worship, and some had never connected. Today across the island, in every diocese, in every parish, all are encouraged to return."
Bishop Nulty added that while the initiative originated with the bishops, its compilation was the work of individuals and groups who contributed to discussion for nearly two years.
