Latest Update: from Friday 25th Feb 2022
·Please do not enter the church or other parish buildings if you are unwell.
·CHECK-IN is not required
·Wearing a face mask is OPTIONAL
·Please continue to hand sanitise.
·Singing by the congregation is now permitted
Latest Update: from Friday 18th Feb 2022
·Please do not enter the church or other parish buildings if you are unwell.
·CHECK-IN in using the QR code/paper sign in is not required
·Wearing a face mask is MANDATORY for everyone 12 yrs and over.
·Please continue to hand sanitise.
·Singing by the congregation is now permitted
Latest Update: from Friday 24th Dec 2021
·Please do not enter the church or other parish buildings if you are unwell.
·CHECK-IN in using the QR code is still MANDATORY
·Wearing a face mask is MANDATORY for everyone 12 yrs and over.
·Please continue to hand sanitise.
·Singing by the congregation is now permitted
Latest Update: from Wednesday 15th Dec 2021
·Please do not enter the church or other parish buildings if you are unwell.
·No density limits apply in Places of Worship.
·Please continue to hand sanitise.
·CHECK-IN in using the QR code is still MANDATORY
·Wearing a mask is optional (but recommended where physical distancing is not possible)
·Singing by the congregation is now permitted
Link to Online Masses:
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara
Previous updates:
Latest Update: from Monday 8th Nov 2021:the 2 sqm rule now applies. All other requirements (below) remain. Capacity at St Mary's: 235, St Brendan's: 320.
Latest Update: from Monday 18th Oct 2021 our Churches are open for MASSES as per our usual schedule.
Those entering the church MUST:
·CHECK-IN in using the QR code—MANDATORY
·Wear a mask
·Hand sanitise
·Physically distance inside the Church (4 sqm rule).
·No singing by the congregation
Other Parish Buildings remain closed as they are subject to vaccination status. We will be able to resume normal use of Parish Buildings for all (regardless of vaccination status) from 1st Dec.
Update: from Monday 11th Oct 2021 our Churches will re-open for PRIVATE PRAYER ONLY and confessions by appointment to fully vaccinated people. Those entering the church must wear a mask, hand sanitise, sign in using the QR code (or if you can’t use the QR code, sign-in using the paper sheets provided), and physically distance inside the Church (as per the 4 sqm rule).
UPDATE 1st October 2021: The Bishop has advised that our Churches are expected to re-open on Mon 11th Oct (assuming 70% double vaccination) however this will be for private prayer only and confessions by appointment. Masses will resume when NSW reaches 80% double vaccination, expected to be late October.
Update: 9th Sept 2021.
Due to current COVID restrictions, our churches and all Parish buildings are currently closed. This remains in place until further notice (when vaccination rates reach desired levels, likely to be mid-October).
Update: 26th August 2021
From 6pm Sat 26th June 2021, our Churches and Parish Buildings are closed due to current COVID-19 restrictions. This has been extended and will remain in place until 10th September 2021. If you have an event booked with the Church/Parish during this time, you will be contacted to advise further details.
Update: 23 June 2021
From 4pm this afternoon (23/6/21) we’re back to the 4 square metre rule (117 capacity at St Mary’s Church, 160 capacity at St Brendan’s Church) and masks are mandatory for adults and children 12 yrs and over, and no congregational singing.
Update: 17 May 2021
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship is subject to the one person per 2 square metre rule (no upper cap). Children count towards the capacity limit.
St Mary's: capacity is 235 visitors (including Gallery area). St Brendan's: capacity is 320 visitors (including outside area at back of Church).
Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: masks are optional in our Churches.
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number when attending Church premises, preferably via the QR code provided. Paper forms also available. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing: Congregational singing is permitted in Places of Worship.
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.
Update: 6 May 2021
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship is subject to the one person per 2 square metre rule (no upper cap). Children count towards the capacity limit.
St Mary's: capacity is 235 visitors (including Gallery area). St Brendan's: capacity is 320 visitors (including outside area at back of Church).
Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: UPDATE—until Mon 17th May, masks must be worn in our Churches.
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number when attending Church premises, preferably via the QR code provided. Paper forms also available. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing:UPDATE—until Mon 17th May Congregational Singing is not permitted in Places of Worship.
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.
Update: 29 Mar 2021
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship is subject to the one person per 2 square metre rule (no upper cap). Children count towards the capacity limit.
St Mary's: capacity is 235 visitors (including Gallery area). St Brendan's: capacity is 320 visitors (including outside area at back of Church).
Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: wearing a mask is optional.
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number when attending Church premises, preferably via the QR code provided. Paper forms also available. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing: Singing by the congregation is permitted.
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.
Update: 26 Feb 2021
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship is subject to the one person per 2 square metre rule (no upper cap). Children count towards the capacity limit.
St Mary's: capacity is 235 visitors (including Gallery area). St Brendan's: capacity is 320 visitors (including outside area at back of Church).
Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: wearing a mask is optional.
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number when attending Church premises, preferably via the QR code provided. Paper forms also available. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing: No singing by the congregation is allowed, Musicians & Choir only. (Current restrictions allow singing by the congregation only if masks are worn and if we revert to the 4 sqm rule, so, for now, no singing unfortunately).
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.
Update: 12 Feb 2021
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship is subject to the one person per 2 square metre rule (no upper cap). Children count towards the capacity limit.
St Mary's: capacity is 235 visitors (including Gallery area). St Brendan's: capacity is 320 visitors (including outside area at back of Church).
Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: wearing a mask is optional.
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number when attending Church premises, preferably via the QR code provided. Paper forms also available. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing: No singing by the congregation is allowed, Musicians & Choir only.
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.
Update: 29 Jan 2021
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship is subject to the one person per 4 square metre rule (no upper cap). Children count towards the capacity limit.
St Mary's: capacity is 117 visitors (including Gallery area). St Brendan's: capacity is 160 visitors (including outside area at back of Church).
Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: wearing a mask is mandatory (except for children aged 12 and under).
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number when attending Church premises, preferably via the QR code provided. Paper forms also available. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing: No singing by the congregation is allowed, Musicians & Choir only.
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.
Update: 3 Jan 2021
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship or at a religious gathering must not exceed 100 people (subject to the one person per 4 square metre rule). Children count towards the capacity limit.
Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: wearing a mask is mandatory (except for children aged 12 and under).
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number (or email) when attending Church premises. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing: No singing is allowed,Musicians & Choir only.
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.
Update: 23 Dec 2020
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship or at a religious gathering, must not exceed one visitor per 4 square metres of publicly accessible space. This refers to services both indoors and outdoors. There is no upper limit for this restriction. Children count towards the capacity limit. Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: wearing a mask is recommended but not mandatory.
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number (or email) when attending Church premises. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing: No singing is allowed,Musicians & Choir only.
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.Uupdate 8 Dec 2020
Capacity: Capacity at a place of public worship or at a religious gathering, must not exceed one visitor per 2 square metres of publicly accessible space. This refers to services both indoors and outdoors. There is no upper limit for this restriction. Children count towards the capacity limit. Please do not enter the Church if you feel unwell.
Masks: wearing a mask is recommended but not mandatory.
Record Keeping: Parishioners must sign in with their name and contact number (or email) when attending Church premises. The Parish office will hold the record for 28 days in a confidential and secure manner.
Seating: please sit only where marked, to maintain physical distancing requirements. Members of the same household may sit together. Seating signs are staggered to allow for physical distancing, so please adhere to these signs.
Singing: We are now allowed to have up to 50 performers singing indoors, however as this will not allow our whole congregation to sing, we will limit singing to our Musicians & Choir only.
Holy Communion: Parishioners are requested to receive Holy Communion in the hand and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing while processing to Communion.
No Gathering: Parishioners must move away promptly from the Church after Mass has finished.
More details are available on the notice board outside the Church.
Link to Online Masses:
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara
Older News:
Fr Tomy's letter to parishioners - 23 March 2020
Covid 19 Update - 25 March 2020