HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH MENAI · LIVING AND SHARING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AS A GROWING PARISH...

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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 5 July 2020 Year A/2 Divine office Psalter Week 2 A reading from the prophet Zechariah (Zec 9:9-10) The Lord says this: Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout with gladness, daughter of Jerusalem! See now, your king comes to you; he is victorious, he is triumphant, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will banish chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem; the bow of war will be banished. He will proclaim peace for the naons. His empire shall stretch from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth. The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God Responsorial Psalm (88:2-3. 16-19. R. v.2) (R.) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. I will give you glory, O God my King, I will bless your name for ever. I will bless you day aſter day and praise your name for ever. (R.) The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. (R.) All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing. They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God. (R.) The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds. The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. (R.) A reading from the leer of St Paul to the Romans (8:9.11-13) Your interests are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him, and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you. So then, my brothers, there is no necessity for us to obey our unspiritual selves or to live unspiritual lives. If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die; but if by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live. The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God. HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH MENAI LIVING AND SHARING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AS A GROWING PARISH FAMILY Alfords Point Bangor Barden Ridge Illawong Lucas Heights Menai Woronora West Entrance Anphon Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving jusce. PLEASE TAKE YOUR BULLETINS HOME AFTER MASS Parish Priest: Rev. Mani Malana msfs E: [email protected] Assistant Priest: Rev. Daniele Russo E: [email protected] Parish Secretary: Andrea Hunt Phone: 02 9543 2677 Email: [email protected] Sacramental Coordinator: Kathy Parsons Phone: 02 9532 0546 Email: [email protected] Holy Family Primary Principal: Karen Richards Ph 9543 2614 Aquinas College Principal: James Clancy Ph 9543 0188 Holy Family Parish Menai 1D Anzac Rd Menai NSW 2234 Phone: 02 9543 2677 Email: [email protected] Web: HolyFamilyMenai.org.au Parish Office hours: Tuesday—Friday: 9am—3.30pm Mass Timings: Weekday: Tue—Sat 9.15am 1st Friday of the month: 7.00pm Weekend: Saturday Vigil 5.30pm Sunday: 8.30am, 10.00am & 6pm Blessed Sacrament Exposion Tue—Sat: 8.30am—9.10am Fri (aſter mass): 9.4510.30am Reconciliaon: Sat: 4.305.15pm Or by appointment.

Transcript of HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH MENAI · LIVING AND SHARING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AS A GROWING PARISH...

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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 5 July 2020 Year A/2

Divine office Psalter Week 2

A reading from the prophet Zechariah (Zec 9:9-10)

The Lord says this:

‘Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout with gladness, daughter of

Jerusalem! See now, your king comes to you; he is victorious, he is

triumphant, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

He will banish chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem; the bow of

war will be banished. He will proclaim peace for the nations. His empire shall

stretch from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.’

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm (88:2-3. 16-19. R. v.2)

(R.) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

I will give you glory, O God my King, I will bless your name for ever.

I will bless you day after day and praise your name for ever. (R.)

The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.

How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. (R.)

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat

their blessing. They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your

might, O God. (R.)

The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds.

The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. (R.)

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans (8:9.11-13)

Your interests are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit

of God has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of

Christ you would not belong to him, and if the Spirit of him who raised

Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the

dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.

So then, my brothers, there is no necessity for us to obey our unspiritual

selves or to live unspiritual lives. If you do live in that way, you are doomed

to die; but if by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you

will live.

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH MENAI

LIVING AND SHARING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AS A GROWING PARISH FAMILY

Alfords Point Bangor Barden Ridge Illawong Lucas Heights Menai Woronora West

Entrance Antiphon

Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple.

Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth;

your right hand is filled with saving justice.

PLEASE TAKE YOUR BULLETINS HOME AFTER MASS

Parish Priest:

Rev. Mani Malana msfs

E: [email protected]

Assistant Priest:

Rev. Daniele Russo

E: [email protected]

Parish Secretary:

Andrea Hunt

Phone: 02 9543 2677

Email: [email protected]

Sacramental Coordinator:

Kathy Parsons

Phone: 02 9532 0546

Email: [email protected]

Holy Family Primary Principal:

Karen Richards Ph 9543 2614

Aquinas College Principal:

James Clancy Ph 9543 0188

Holy Family Parish Menai 1D Anzac Rd Menai NSW 2234

Phone: 02 9543 2677

Email: [email protected]

Web: HolyFamilyMenai.org.au

Parish Office hours:

Tuesday—Friday: 9am—3.30pm

Mass Timings:

Weekday: Tue—Sat 9.15am 1st Friday of the month: 7.00pm

Weekend: Saturday Vigil 5.30pm

Sunday: 8.30am, 10.00am & 6pm

Blessed Sacrament Exposition

Tue—Sat: 8.30am—9.10am

Fri (after mass): 9.45—10.30am

Reconciliation: Sat: 4.30—5.15pm

Or by appointment.

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We pray for better health for:

Anthony Alam, Armand

Favis, Barbara King, Bernie

Mendieta, Brian Emmerson,

Carmelita Kelly, Craig

Rapley, David Stephenson,

Eleanor Emmerson, Ethan

Roy, Flynn Crofts, Himits

Sarajoy Ly, Jim Maher,

Joan Sprod, John Miller,

Johnson Tan, Kathleen Jean

-Louis, Kevin Sullivan,

Lorraine Cloney, Marie

Isbester, Mary Baddock,

Mary Farrugia, Miriam

McAtee, Natalie Lynch, Paul

Hill, Paul Tyson, Pauline

Taylor, Paolo Lepre, Peter

Atkinson, Ronnie Attard,

Russell Fairbairn, Sharone

Marsh, Shona Maher, Steve

Clare, Stephen Doyle,

Trevor McGrath and all who

are sick.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Response: Lord, hear our prayer

Celebrant: The father reveals the mysteries of the kingdom to little ones. Let us pray to our God, who shows such love for small and simple folk.

Reader: For the Church in her work of charity for the poor and the overburdened. Let us pray to the Lord (R)

Reader: For leaders who will listen to even the humblest citizens. Let us pray to the Lord (R)

Reader: For unspiritual people who have shut God our of their lives. Let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Reader: For the children who learn of God in our community. Let us pray to the Lord (R)

Reader: For those who have been called through death to eternal rest, especially recently deceased Angelo Scudern, Robert Cashman, Lucia Abdipranoto, Lucy Davis and Antonio D’Anella, and for Ronald Ball, Gallo Francesco, Emmanuel and Mucy Mifsud, Mifsud and Farrugia families, Dionisia Venturia Lustre and Phillip Fonseca whose anniversaries of death occur around this time. Let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Celebrant: Lord of heaven and of earth, gathered in obedience to your Son’s command, your people ask you to accept their prayers, through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen

Communion Antiphon

Come to me, all who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you, says the Lord.

Next Sunday’s Reading: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 55:10-11; Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia!

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (11:25-30)

Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the

learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you

to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father,

just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and

learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is

easy and my burden light.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

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THE NICENE CREED

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love; to you we turn with trust. Heavenly Father, grant that our families too may be places of Communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches. Heavenly Father, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalised find ready comfort and healing. Heavenly Father, make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen

CORONAVIRUS PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and villages curing every disease and illness. At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbours from helping one another.

Lord Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the wellbeing of the people they are meant to serve.

Lord Jesus Christ, heal us.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

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Seventh Pastoral Letter to the Clergy and Faithful of the Archdiocese of Sydney with Special Directives for Churches and Liturgies following the further relaxation of

restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2 July 2020 Dear pastors and brothers and sisters in Christ,

Our Babylonian captivity to COVID-19 Rivers of Babylon is a reggae song written in 1970 by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton but popularized in 1978 by “Boney M”. It was the number one hit in Australia for six weeks and one of the Top 10 best-selling singles of all time in the UK. It is one of the few pop songs to be taken directly from the Bible and in 1979 a crowd of 280,000 people gathered in Galway, Ireland, sang it to the new pope John Paul II. The song is based on Psalm 137, a psalm of lament sung by the Jews after their kingdom had been split in two, with the Assyrians conquering the northern part (Israel) and the Babylonians the southern part (Judah — from which we get our name ‘Jews’).

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion... There the wicked, [who] carried us away in captivity, required of us a song. Now how shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land? (cf. Ps 137:1-4)

These past few months we have felt like the Jews in the Babylonian exile, unable to visit the Temple in Zion. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health restrictions have prevented our attending Mass and other celebrations in our parish communities. For the first time in a century, Catholics in Sydney and around the world could not gather to celebrate Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday or Corpus Christi. It has been inspiring to witness the creativity and collaboration of clergy and laity in response to the pandemic. Rivers of Babylon takes from Psalm 19 the recognition that we can pray anywhere, even when we are precluded from attending the Temple:

Let the words of our mouth, and the meditation of our heart, be acceptable in thy sight here tonight... (cf. Ps 19:14)

The explosion of online Catholic content, from the livestreaming of Masses to virtual parish meetings and prayer groups, has demonstrated that, despite recent obstacles, our clergy and faithful are deeply committed to ensuring that the Gospel is proclaimed and worship offered to God. As Ecclesiastes points out, “there is a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing” (Eccl 3:5).

Return to ‘Ordinary’ Religions function as a social glue and, especially in individualistic societies like our own, as a prophetic call to community. Catholicism, as an incarnational and sacramental faith, emphasizes even more strongly the need for physical-moral presence to each other. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the Breaking of the Bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42) So it is with great joy, as we return to liturgical ‘Ordinary Time’, that our lives are also slowly reverting to their more ‘ordinary’ state. With the easing of COVIDSafe restrictions from 1 July, we can return to church in significant numbers, like the children of Israel returning to the Temple in Zion.

While going to ‘church at home’ had its upsides, we knew it was second best. Our highest prayer is the Mass – the Church’s offering of Christ to the Father in intercession for the needs of the world. We participate most fully in Christ’s self-giving by being present to each other and receiving His substance into our own in Holy Communion. And we extend that experience by praying before the Blessed Sacrament. While necessary public health restrictions forced a long Eucharistic fast upon us – not just abstaining from earthly food for an hour before Holy Communion, but abstaining from our heavenly food itself for several months now, we are now free to return to the Table of the Lord.

The hunger we’ve experienced should make us appreciate the Eucharist all the more, as we realise better than ever how important it is to gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ and receive Him together. Good as it has been to practice spiritual communion during this time, our hungry souls have craved sacramental Communion. As we return to the altar not just hungry but more appreciative, we can discover anew how deeply satisfying is that Eucharistic food and, hopefully, be more determined than ever to receive it every Sunday and well-prepared, not just out of habit but out of love.

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The four square metre rule From now, the 4m2 rule will allow a greater number to gather in a church for Mass and other activities. St Mary’s Cathedral will be able to accommodate 500-600 people; several parish churches around 100. It will be important that you estimate the square meterage of your church, divide by four, set a maximum number to be inside at one time, post this on the door of the church with the other directives herewith, and ensure that this is observed.

The 4m2 rule applies not only to Mass but to private prayer, Confessions, Baptisms, Weddings, Eucharistic Adoration, the Divine Office, Rosary in common, Bible study etc. If a church is so small that fewer than 50 would be allowed following the 4m2 rule, up to 50 people may nonetheless attend a Funeral. Restrictions of outdoor gatherings to 20 do not apply to religious services held outdoors, so larger Masses might be conducted outdoors if needed and weather permitting, as long as social distancing and hygiene requirements are followed.

Resumption of Sunday Masses Sunday Masses should now be resumed in all churches across the Archdiocese and in some places they might be multiplied (for which I thank our clergy) or temporarily moved to a larger space such as a school hall, town hall or (weather permitting) outside. Parishioners who are unwell or in high risk categories must stay home; they might ask that Holy Communion be brought to them. As the 4m2 rule and prudential concerns will continue to prevent many of the faithful attending, all but priests continue for the time being to be dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass; but those who are at low risk of infection and able to do so are exhorted to take all reasonable steps to attend Sunday Mass.

The faithful who cannot attend Mass should keep Sunday holy by setting aside some time for prayer at home, reading the Scriptures of the day, or watching Mass on television or online, asking God for the graces they would normally receive in Holy Communion (‘spiritual communion’). They might attend Mass on a weekday where possible. Churches should, where possible, be open during the week for private prayer, especially for those unable to attend Sunday Mass; but, again, this must be scheduled and supervised.

Sacrament of Confirmation With respect to the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, it will be possible for many parishes to hold celebrations later this year if the candidates have been sufficiently prepared. Having determined how many people your church can now hold (under the 4m2 rule) and allowed one place each for the candidate, sponsor and parents (only), please contact the bishop, vicar or dean assigned to your celebration and discuss with him the best way of proceeding. In some cases the number of celebrations may be multiplied or the celebration moved to a larger space such as the school hall or cathedral. In some cases delegation to the regional Dean or Parish Priest to celebrate the sacrament may be required. Inevitably, the number of guests for the celebrations this year and next will have to be somewhat restricted and we ask for people’s understanding in this matter.

Sacrament of Matrimony With respect to the celebration of weddings, it will be possible for some to now go ahead with limitations on numbers as prescribed above.

Other requirements Previous instructions on spatial distancing and hygiene continue to apply including:

• people should sit at least 11⁄2m apart and stand 11⁄2m from each other when queuing

• the liturgy should be simplified in the ways previously directed e.g. no Gospel procession, procession of gifts, passing of bulletins or collection plates

• hand sanitizer should be widely available and used especially by ministers

• churches should be disinfected in accordance with Health Department guidelines

• holy water should be removed from stoups

• the elements for the Eucharist should be protected from contamination before, during and after the Mass with a lid or pall

• congregational singing is suspended and thus hymn-books or sheets should not be distributed and hymns not projected overhead

• receiving Holy Communion by “making a throne for the king with our hands” (St Cyril of Jerusalem) remains normative in Australia in the ordinary form of the Latin Rite and is recommended during this COVID emergency; great care should be taken when exercising the option of Communion on the tongue; while clergy should receive Holy Communion under both kinds from the sacrifice confected at that Mass, the faithful shall only receive the Body of Christ.

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• ministers should receive particular instruction on sanitation • contact details of all those entering the church (name and phone number or email address of one adult in each family) must be recorded, either by registering online or signing up at the door • printed bulletins are for single use only.

The current regulations require that a new COVID-19 Safety Plan be in place for each parish, addressing the matters in the checklist provided by the government and this must be available for inspection. A pre-populated version will be distributed by the Vicar-General for local adaptation. (This will very largely align with the one previously distributed.) As parishioners in the high risk categories or who are unwell are being encouraged to stay home, I exhort priests to make contact with them directly and visit them at home.

Other aspects of archdiocesan life Staff are beginning to transition back to the Polding Centre and our other Archdiocesan workplaces such as the Sydney Catholic Schools, the Catholic Institute, the Ephpheta Centre, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and the University Chaplaincies. SCS and CatholicCare have been responding generously and effectively. COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plans have been developed, consistent with Government directives, which include a testing, reporting and notification action plan in the event that any staff member or student exhibits symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

The heads of Archdiocesan agencies have shown compassionate leadership with their staff over this crisis period and I am delighted that staff are now able to return safely to their workplaces. Our Executive Director of Administration & Finance, Mr Michael Digges, with the finance, property and employment services teams, have very ably managed “business as usual” through these most unusual times and are also managing the staged return to workplace.

My collaborators and I are doing all in our power to keep clergy, staff, volunteers and faithful safe as we move forward and especially in this winter season. However, I would encourage you all to take your own steps to ensure you remain well, such as obtaining ’flu vaccinations, downloading the COVIDSafe App, and isolating if you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

Where to from here? These latest regulations are expected to be in place for some time. The recent spike in cases in Victoria is a reminder that the virus is still with us and we must not be complacent. We must take all reasonable precautions to protect people’s health and to observe public health directives. If there are more present in a church than the 4m2 rule allows, or if music ministers, acolytes or communicants fail to observe social distancing, this may well come to the attention of authorities and risk penalties and new restrictions. But if cases remain low in NSW and we demonstrate that we are operating responsibly, we can hope that larger celebrations will again be possible.

Continuing prayer Rivers of Babylon captures one moment in sacred history. After the Babylonian captivity the Jews gradually returned to Judah, restored the Temple, and celebrated their feasts there (see the Book of Ezra). The Book of Nehemiah records the new song which we can pray with them:

LORD our God, blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all, for you alone are the Lord. You it was made the heavens and the highest heavens, the earth and seas and all they contain. You it is give life to everything, and the multitude of angels worship you. You it was chose Abram and made a covenant to give the land to his descendants... You it was saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt and sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh... You divided the Red Sea in two, so Israel passed through dry-shod... You it was came down from heaven on Mount Sinai and gave them laws that are just and commands that are good... In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven, and in their dispossession a homeland... But our leaders, priests and ancestors did not follow your law... they worshipped a golden calf... and killed the prophets... Arrogant and stiff-necked, they did not obey your commands; they refused to listen or recall the signs you had worked for them... But you are a God of mercy, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them... When they were oppressed and cried out to you, you heard them from heaven and delivered them... You returned us to our homeland and your Temple. And so, in our present hardship, we turn to you our God, for you are mighty and awesome and keep your covenant of love... We rededicate ourselves to your holy covenant... to the Bread of the Presence and the holy offerings... and to all the duties of the house of our God. (Neh chs 9 & 10)

Please continue to pray for an end to the pandemic and for all those who have been affected, especially those who are sick or at risk, those who are isolated or anxious, those who have lost their employment or who are experiencing financial hardship. And pray for a renewed reverence for the Eucharist, as we joyfully return to its celebration and reception.

Yours sincerely in Christ Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP, DD BA LIB BTheol DPhil Archbishop of Sydney

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Special Directives for Churches and Liturgies for the Archdiocese of Sydney

under current COVIDSafe restrictions from 1 July 2020

What will be happening at Holy Family Parish during this time

• Confession will be held in the Church on Saturdays from 4.30pm until 5.30pm. Please feel free to ask any priest for confession around the Daily Mass times or otherwise.

• All public Mass will continue with now a maximum of 100 attendees at each Mass. Masses will be offered at 9.15am, Tuesday to Saturday (Friday Mass will be followed by Adoration and Benediction). First Friday Sacred Heart Mass commenced on Friday 5 June at 7pm. 13 hour Adoration will commence Friday 3 July 2020, following the Mass.

• Adoration in the Church at 8.30am each day prior to weekday Masses (maximum 100 attendees).

You can sign up for Sunday Masses by either completing the online Saturday Vigil Mass 5.30pm, Sunday Mass 8.30am, Sunday Mass 10am, Sunday Mass 6pm or by calling the Parish office on 9543 2677 or email [email protected], no need to sign up for week day masses.

• There will be no offertory procession, no passing out of daily prayer books or collection plates.

• Sign of peace – given without any physical contact. You can say “Peace be with you” and offer a smile, wave, nod or bow.

• Holy Communion shall be distributed by the priest and acolyte only. The Precious Blood will not be distributed.

• Hand sanitiser will be available at the entrance of the Church.

• Prior to entering the Church each attendee will be required to record their contact details on a register in the foyer of the Church. Satisfying the CovidSafe regulations, this will also enable us to improve our parish database for provision of pastoral care.

• Private Prayer – the Church will be opened Tuesday to Thursday from 9.45am (after the completion of Mass) until 4pm and Friday from 10.30am until 3pm for up to 100 people at one time. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel will be available for private prayer, but with a maximum limit of 4 people.

At risk parishioners are strongly encouraged not to attend (eg. the very elderly, those with any

symptoms, those with compromised immune or respiratory systems).

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Can you help? As you know our Parish is involved with One Meal, a local charity proving a weekly food service for the homeless and those in need at different areas throughout the Sutherland Shire. As a Parish we are volunteering at the service in Miranda and we are doing a call out to you all for some breakfast items. If you could bring in any of the below to the Parish Office we would be most appreciative as these items will be given to those in need.

•Boxes of Cereal

•Small packs of long life milk

•Muesli Bars

•Breakfast Bars

Thank you in advance for the ongoing support for this worthy cause! Father Mani and Father Daniele are so appreciative of your generosity!

Kaye Palmano

VINNIES WINTER APPEAL

The St Vincent de Paul Society is calling for donations to the Vinnies COVID-19 Winter Appeal, helping people doing it tough in our communities due to coronavirus.

Every dollar you donate will help people to feed their families, put petrol in the car and keep warm during winter – more important than ever during the current health crisis.

Please visit www.vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12, to make a contribution. Alternatively, Winter Appeal envelopes will be available in the church foyer for you to donate using cash, cheque or credit card. Envelopes can be left in the Poor Box for processing. Tick the appropriate box if you require a receipt. Thank you for your kindness.

Special Anniversary Blessing

at all Masses this weekend,

for all couples celebrating

their Wedding Anniversary

during the month of July

FEAST DAYS

St Benedict, Saturday 11 July

REFLECTION by Fr Michael Tate

Not an Outsider but an Insider

In the Jewish story of the creation of Adam, the author has God fashion a figure of a human being out of damp earth, and then breathes into the nostrils of this clay figure. It becomes ‘Adam’. In Hebrew, the word for breath, wind or Spirit is the same, so this story tells us that we become human when the Holy Spirit is breathed into our very being.

St Paul tells the early converts in Rome, those recently baptised, and therefore tells us who are baptised: ‘The Spirit of God has made his home in you.’

Since your baptism, the Holy Spirit, the Breath of God, dwells in you in a special way. Baptism re-creates us, sharing in the life of the true Adam.

We could pause for a moment to pray:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

© Fr Michael Tate

Daily Rosary Make a Sacred Space at home

Come spend time with our Mother Mary as she helps intercede for you to her Son our Lord Jesus Christ. The Rosary is your powerful weapon in these troubled times. Be a prayer warrior. Join us

Every Evening at 8pm on Zoom

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