Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), public Masses, based on the directive of the NSW Government, (both indoor and outdoor) must cease from 6pm, 26 June 2021. Also affected by this closure are church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for prayer and religious services.

Your parish will also have other measures in place as part of their COVID-19 Safety plan.

Catholics from the Diocese of Parramatta are dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation until further notice (Canon 1247, Canons 85 and 87, and Catechism of the Catholic Church 2180-2188).

Public Masses, based on the directive of the NSW Government, (both indoor and outdoor) must cease from 6pm, 26 June 2021. Also affected by this closure are church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for prayer and religious services.

NSW Health continues to mandate that face masks are to be worn at all indoor venues, including places of worship.

Public Masses, based on the directive of the NSW Government, (both indoor and outdoor) must cease from 6pm, 26 June 2021. Also affected by this closure are church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for prayer and religious services.

NSW Health continues to mandate that face masks are to be worn at all indoor venues, including places of worship.

Public Masses, based on the directive of the NSW Government, (both indoor and outdoor) must cease from 6pm, 26 June 2021. Also affected by this closure are church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for prayer and religious services.

NSW Health continues to mandate that face masks are to be worn at all indoor venues, including places of worship.

While it is essential for Catholics, the obligation to attend can be dispensed, and the obligation has been dispensed at this time. This is stated in the Code of Canon Law which offers universal rulings for Catholics, and the Code has not changed since St John Paul II’s papacy. It states in canon 1247:

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass. … If participation in the eucharistic celebration becomes impossible because of the absence of a sacred minister or for another grave cause, it is strongly recommended that the faithful take part in a liturgy of the word if such a liturgy is celebrated in a parish church or other sacred place according to the prescripts of the diocesan bishop or that they devote themselves to prayer for a suitable time alone, as a family, or, as the occasion permits, in groups of families.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2181, it further states:

The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.

Catholics have long been encouraged to partake in the practice of making a “spiritual communion” if they are unable to receive the Eucharist for a particular reason (for instance – being homebound). Simply put, it is coming before God in prayer – expressing our deep desire to be united to Him despite the fact that we are unable to be united to Him in receiving the Eucharist.

This spiritual communion can be made in various ways. One common way of doing so involves spending a dedicated time of prayer and reflection on the Mass readings. The daily Mass readings can be viewed online here. Another popular way is by reciting the prayer written by St. Alphonsus Liguori below.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

It can be very spiritually and emotionally distressing for some people who have been taught to always participate in Mass.

You can offer assistance as follows:

1. Reassure them that the Catholic Church through the Pope and their Bishop is giving permission for them not to participate.
2. Spiritually speaking, God always seeks both our spiritual and physical wellbeing. Jesus performed many physical healings. As such, God cares for our physical health and wants to ensure we are safe through following the safety standards offered by health professionals, who again, God has blessed with intellect and expertise to assist us during this difficult time
3. Encourage them to perform a devotional practice during the time they will normally participate – such as watch Mass on TV or online, pray the rosary or engage with the Sunday prayers and readings through their missal. You can find online resources at http://universalis.com/mass.htm
4. Offer to check in or pray with them ensuring you are complying with the national health advice.

The Diocese of Parramatta has created a special COVID-19 website. You can access this site here:
parracatholic.org/covid19/

Funerals are still permitted with a maximum number of 10 attendees. If the funeral takes place in a church building the social distancing rules must be observed.

During this period, it is recommended that a simple grave side service be held or using the crematorium chapel with a small number of mourners (very immediate family) only.

A memorial Mass when the current crisis is declared over can be held later.

NSW Health continues to mandate that face masks are to be worn at all indoor venues, including places of worship.

From Friday, 3 September 2021, weddings will be permitted in NSW if they are kept to no more than five guests. The person officiating the wedding and a photographer will be able to attend to record the event, in addition to the five guests.

NSW Health continues to mandate that face masks are to be worn at all indoor venues, including places of worship.

In cases of emergency, please check with your parish.

Public Masses, based on the directive of the NSW Government, (both indoor and outdoor) must cease from 6pm, 26 June 2021. Also affected by this closure are church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for prayer and religious services.

NSW Health continues to mandate that face masks are to be worn at all indoor venues, including places of worship.

Public Masses, based on the directive of the NSW Government, (both indoor and outdoor) must cease from 6pm, 26 June 2021. Also affected by this closure are church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for prayer and religious services.

NSW Health continues to mandate that face masks are to be worn at all indoor venues, including places of worship.

Pope Francis has stated that clergy be available to pastorally minister to people in this time of crisis. Those who are gravely ill, either due to the virus, or some other malady should not in any circumstances be denied access to the Sacraments.

The Sacraments should still be available, albeit in certain and limited circumstances only.

In anointing people, the priest will wash their hands with an appropriate solution both before and after the anointing. In the laying on of hands, it is recommended that contact is not made with the person’s head but the priest’s hands are held above the head of the ill. The same applies to the administration of Viaticum.

In respect to ministry to the housebound, great caution will be exercised by priest and it is preferable if only the priest or deacon visits for the purpose of Holy Communion.

Acolytes and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion should cease from visiting the housebound at this time.

Although our Church doors are closed for the grace of Mass and prayer, our parish priests continue to provide pastoral care, spiritual nourishment, and share the Gospel and Good News of Jesus Christ’s message of love and salvation.

To sustain our liturgical, sacramental, pastoral and charitable ministries, our parishes rely on the generosity of our faith community’s support through weekly offertory collections.  The COVID-19 pandemic is having an unimaginable impact on our parishes and our ability to raise funds to support our mission and ministry.

To support your parish with a donation or recurring planned giving, please visit parracatholic.org/thanksgiving-offertory or contact your parish direct.  Thank you for your kind-hearted generosity.