Coronavirus Update - Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay

Mass and Church activities and limits to gatherings

Note: Some of the information provided here has been superseded by later government decisions.

Following new government decisions and in support of the community response to the coronavirus disease, the Parish has now implemented the following additional adjustments to our procedures.

All public Masses are suspended until further notice. This includes a dispensation for all the Faithful from the obligation to participate at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
The celebration of Holy Mass privately will continue and may include, if possible, the assistance of an adult minister. Previously scheduled intentions, including the Sunday Mass for the people will be fulfilled in this manner.
The Faithful are encouraged to keep the Lord's Day holy and celebrate Sunday as a domestic church by taking time to pray together as a household.
All parish groups and gatherings have been cancelled including Bible Study, Youth Groups, the Light is On and prayer groups.
Sacrament of Baptism: Baptisms will be celebrated provided that the number attending is limited. If possible, a scheduled Baptism may be postponed. Families that wish to proceed with the celebration need to limit the number of family and guests attending (preferably immediate family and godparents only). Baptisms will be staggered so that only one child is baptised in one event, with the water refreshed for each ceremony.
Sacrament of Confirmation: The changes will impact schedules for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. All programmes of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation should be suspended until the schedule can be reviewed.
Funerals in the church are possible provided that the number in the congregation is limited. We will work with Funeral Directors to ensure compliance. Those attending are best limited to immediate family. (Some Funeral Directors may provide facilities to live-stream the funeral so that the number of people in the church is kept to a minimum.)
Weddings: It may be appropriate that weddings be postponed. However, should a wedding proceed, attendance will be limited.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Our churches are closed for the First Form of the Rite of Confession. The Second Form of the Rite of Confession is suspended.
Sacrament of Anointing: In the celebration of the sacrament, priests are permitted to lay on hands by holding them above rather than upon the head. Anointing the forehead is sufficient.

For the forthcoming Holy Week and Easter Liturgies, further information will be provided at a later time.

It has always been our tradition to turn to God in prayer when difficulties arise, especially when a health emergency of this kind affects so many people. You are encouraged to pray the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Rosary, which is a Marian prayer, has Christ at its centre. When we pray the Rosary, we reflect upon the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. In the words of Saint John Paul II:

With the Rosary, the Christian people sit at the school of Mary and are led to contemplate the beauty of the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.
Apostolic Letter Rosary of the Virgin Mary 2002

As you pray the Rosary, you are encouraged to ask for the grace that we need in our Church and in our world at this time. Be confident in your prayers and trust that the Mother of Our Lord will accompany you and lead you to her son, Jesus. Recall the words from the Memorare prayer, and be inspired not to lose hope: "Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided."

The Rosary is a prayer that can be prayed alone and in families. Through this marvelous prayer, may Mary's motherly compassion keep our whole family safe from every danger. Through her intercession may all the people of Australia be sheltered from harm. And may people everywhere profit by the voice of Catholics united in prayer.

Further information will be provided over time.

For further information or assistance, please make contact with the Parish office by telephone or email.