The NSW Government announced that from 18 February 2022,  check-in using the QR Code and record-keeping for attendees are no longer required for Places of Worship.

From 25 February 2022, masks will no longer be mandatory for Places of Worship although these are still strongly encouraged where people cannot maintain a safe distance from others.

Please observe all other Covid-19 Safety Measures the parish has in place.

Following  a period where Catholics in the Diocese were dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligations, on 15 December 2021, the Decree was revoked and the Sunday obligation is now imposed once again given that public health orders no longer require adherence to density limits in our church buildings.

A dispensation from a diocesan bishop releases Catholics from fulfilling their Sunday obligation of attending Mass.

Places of worship or churches re-opened to everyone on 18 October 2021.

From 18 February 2022,  check-in using the QR Code and record-keeping for attendees are no longer required for Places of Worship.

From 25 February 2022, masks will no longer be mandatory for Places of Worship although these are still strongly encouraged where people cannot maintain a safe distance from others.

There are no longer any specific guidelines provided by NSW Health in relation to modification of religious services. Parish Priests will determine how they would like to manage practices in the Church such as Communion.

From 18 February, both the choir and congregation are able to sing at religious services in our churches.

While Mass is an essential gathering for Catholics, the obligation can be dispensed.

Catholics from the Diocese of Parramatta were dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation until further notice (Canon 1248 §2 and Catechism 2181) by virtue of a Decree issued by Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv.

From 15 December 2021, this Decree is now revoked and the Sunday obligation is now imposed once again given that public health orders no longer require adherence to density limits in our church buildings.

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.

Covid-Safety Plans are optional and no longer mandatory. Please check your parish’s website for details of their plan and any directions or requests they may be making of parishioners to keep everyone safe.

From 18 February 2022,  check-in using the QR Code and record-keeping for attendees are no longer required for Places of Worship.

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/

Yes. Funerals can take place with no person limit.

From 18 February 2022,  check-in using the QR Code and record-keeping for attendees are no longer required for Places of Worship, funerals, memorial services or gatherings afterwards.

Yes, weddings can take place with no person limit.

From 18 February 2022,  check-in using the QR Code and record-keeping for attendees are no longer required for Places of Worship, funerals, memorial services, weddings, or gatherings afterwards.

Yes, baptisms are allowed at this time with no person limit.

From 18 February 2022,  check-in using the QR Code and record-keeping for attendees are no longer required for Places of Worship.

Yes, the sacrament of reconciliation can now take place and be publicly scheduled.

From 18 February 2022,  check-in using the QR Code and record-keeping for attendees are no longer required for 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 of ministry to the housebound, great caution should be exercised by the priest or deacon.

It is preferable that only the priest or deacon visits the housebound for the purpose of Holy Communion.

Acolytes and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion should always exercise great caution if visiting the housebound. Refrain from all physical contact.

As of 24 December 2021, masks are required to be worn in all indoor settings, including places of worship.

Our church doors have re-opened to all parishioners, vaccinated and unvaccinated.

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.