NSW Health has revised the Covid 19 guidelines for places of worship effective from December 7, 2020 .
The maximum number of people at places of worship and religious services will only be limited by the 2 m² rule.
This means we will be able to accommodate more people at each Mass.
Parishioners are asked to sit where the green signs “PLEASE SIT HERE” are placed.
Congregational Singing is permitted but NSW Health states that anyone 12 years or older wear a mask. We will start to have some Masses with singing in our liturgies. As we strive to balance our desire for music to enhance our liturgies and to also take care ensuring self-protection and protection of others. It is highly recommended that people continue to wear masks during religious services. Consequently, we will continue the practice of wearing masks for the time being at all religious services. All people who are coming into the church are to wear a mask. The need to sign in, use hand sanitiser, and sanitise our seats after the service remain in effect. NSW Health has also advised that places of worship modify religious services, where practical, such as the reception of Communion, to avoid direct contact with hand and mouth. From experience we know it is hard to avoid contact with Communion on the tongue. As a result of this advice, we will continue with the practice of only giving Communion in the hand for the time being.
DIRECTIVES:
* All people coming to Mass are to wear a mask.
* All people are to have their temperature taken.
* All People are to sanitise their hands.
* All people are to sign in.
* You may only sit in the designated seats.
* You are asked to keep your distance when lining up for Holy Communion.
* Please help with sanitising the seats at the conclusion of Mass.
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING OUR PARISHIONERS AND VISITORS TO THE CHURCH SAFE.
Catholics from the Diocese of Parramatta continue to be dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation until further notice. (Canon 1248 paragraph 2 and Canon 2181).”
MASSES THIS COMING WEEK:
Monday: 6.00am only.
Tuesday to Friday: 6.00am & 9.15 AM.
Saturday: 7.30am only. There will be no Wednesday or Friday evening Masses until further notice. Our live streaming and broadcasted Masses will no longer continue.
SUNDAY VIGIL MASS: 5.30pm
SUNDAY MORNING MASSES: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12.30PM & 5.30PM.
THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE: On Saturdays between 4.00PM – 5.00PM
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: for the time being, there will be individual baptisms on a Saturday with a total of 50 people apart from the priest and acolyte. This will take place at 10.00am & 11:00 AM. Please contact the parish office via email (parishoffice@maryimmac.org.au) or phone: 9626 3326, to make an inquiry or book a Baptism.
VISITATION TO THE CHURCH: The main door of the Church will be a means of entering the Church. It is necessary that you use hand sanitiser and record your name and phone number before you enter the Church. We would also ask that you do not touch statues, the tabernacle, paintings, or any other religious object in the church.
LITURGY ROSTER: We will be returning to our liturgy roster for readers, acolytes and junior servers .The parish office will be in contact with everyone involved to confirm their participation.
We appreciate your continued prayers, patience, cooperation and understanding during this time.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Oliver, Deacon Leon and Parish Staff.
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to possess You within my soul. Since I am unable at this moment to receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
