Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,<\/p>\n
In these extremely difficult times due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus, immediate action had to be taken to protect the spread of the virus and to protect the health of everyone.\u00a0 The protocols insist a distance of one and a half metres between people, the exception being families, at our gatherings.\u00a0 The collection plates will be at the back and front for first and second collections.\u00a0 You should also keep the prescribed distance when approaching Holy Communion.\u00a0 Until further notice, the choir loft will be open for those attending Mass.<\/p>\n
Until we get through this crisis, I have also insisted that baptisms be restricted to parents, godparents and grandparents.\u00a0 Funerals are only to attended by immediate family and designated friends.\u00a0 As you would be aware, all sacramental programs have been postponed .<\/p>\n
Those who are on email, registered with Paul and Cath, were immediately advised of changed Mass times and protocols of the Archdiocese.\u00a0 As we approach Easter, there will be more changes and it would be helpful if as many as possible were on email.\u00a0 If you have a mobile phone able to receive txts, register at our office and we will try and organize how to keep you informed.<\/p>\n
I have postponed my annual leave after Easter as I want to be with you in these times.\u00a0 Unless a person requests a visit due to illness, I won\u2019t be visiting homes.\u00a0 The same will apply to our retirement villages.<\/p>\n
These are challenging times and as people of faith we need to turn to God and pray for direction.\u00a0 Our lives and our world will never be the same as priorities radically change.\u00a0 I also recommend the prayer to St. Roch:-<\/p>\n
O Blessed Saint Roch,
\nPatron of the sick,
\nHave pity on those
\nWho lie upon a bed of suffering.<\/p>\n
Your power was so great
\nWhen you were in this world,
\nThat by the sign of the Cross,
\nMany were healed of their diseases.<\/p>\n
Now that you are in heaven,
\nYour power is not less.
\nOffer, then, to God
\nOur sighs and tears
\nAnd obtain for us that health we seek
\nThrough Christ our Lord.<\/p>\n
Amen.<\/p>\n
(Repeat the following 3 times)<\/p>\n
Saint Roch, pray for us,
\nThat we may be preserved
\nFrom all diseases of body and soul.<\/p>\n
We give thanks for the fifteen years Sister Macrina has been in our community.\u00a0 Her sense of humour, care for the poor and her gentle engagement with all parishioners has been a wonderful blessing.<\/p>\n
On behalf of the poor in Timor Leste, I acknowledge generous gifts of $1,500 and $500 this past week.\u00a0 The Timorese are also going through extremely difficult times.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In these extremely difficult times due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus, immediate action had to be taken to protect the spread of the virus and to protect the health of everyone.\u00a0 The protocols insist a distance of one and a half metres between people, the exception being families, at our…<\/p>\n