Fr Michael Canny says people should only attend Mass if they have a pre-booked ticket
Michael Canny, parish priest in the Waterside, said anyone without a ticket should instead follow Masses being streamed online.
While church attendances have been in decline for many years, the family tradition of attending at Christmas has remained strong.
But COVID-19 restrictions have placed strict limits on the numbers who can attend and safely worship.
Churches have been forced to close off alternate pews and sanitise seats after every service, while those attending must wear masks and sanitise hands on entering and leaving.
Collective singing has also been restricted to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
Churches across Ireland have had to rethink their Christmas plans, with some releasing a limited number of tickets for services and others moving online only.
Some parishes have also put on extra Masses to try to accommodate as many people as possible, starting as early as 4pm today.
Fr Canny said some people may not be aware of the arrangements and turn up without tickets.
“I would appeal to people to do their bit and not to turn up without having booked their places.
“Most parishes have gone down the route of issuing tickets and I would appeal to people to observe that.
“For those who don’t have tickets, all Masses are now live streamed and they can attend Christmas Mass virtually with their families.
“I’d also remind people that there will be Masses on Saturday and Sunday and everyday after that; why not do the 12 days of Christmas and not just the one day of Christmas.”
Co Donegal priest Fr Francis Bradley also said he was “truly sorry” that he could not facilitate all those seeking to attend Christmas Mass in person.
Tickets in his Buncrana parish were booked out within hours of being made available.
Fr Bradley said the 13 Masses available could cater for around 1,100 people but it was impossible to put on any further services because of a lack of resources.
Meanwhile, there are no plans to restrict traditional seasonal visits to family graves over the Christmas period.
A protest held at Derry city cemetery in April this year over its continued closure
There is a strong tradition of visiting family graves on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and it has been confirmed there are no plans to introduce extra restrictions on access to cemeteries.
But a “reminder” has been issued to people to adhere to existing restrictions of social distancing, wash hands regularly and often and wear a face covering.
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