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Dear brothers and sisters,
It has been three months or more since the second lockdown began in the midst of this Covid 19 pandemic. During this time we have been only too well aware of how challenging and demanding life has been for us as individuals, families, and in being part of the broader community. As members of our Christ the Light Catholic community we have also experienced our own particular difficulties. Many individuals and families from within our community of Faith have expressed a deep desire and need to celebrate the sacraments: baptisms for our infant children, the sacraments of Confirmation, First Communion and Reconciliation for our school children. Parishioners have missed in a particular way not being able to be together as a community to celebrate the Eucharist especially on the weekends.
Last Monday 28th of September the Victorian government announced the beginning of the easing of restrictions in Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria. As a result of the Covid 19 updates, the Archdiocese has provided us with new guidelines in regards to Religious Gatherings. We are permitted to celebrate the Eucharist with a limit of five people plus the priest. The celebration of the Eucharist is to take place in an outdoor setting near to one of our worship centres. We know that 5 is a very limited number and that having the mass outside can have its own practical challenges for us. It is also to be noted that one can only travel up to 5km from their home to attend the Mass
Given the limitations on numbers we will continue to rely during this time on our live-streaming Mass at 10.30am and which remains on the website at any time of that day.
At the same time, even with the limit of 5 people, I believe it is important to begin to re-open up and celebrate the Eucharist within our various worship centres. St Mary’s in Kinglake (Regional Victoria) has a limit of 10. Our gradual reopening symbolizes our deep longing to be together again as the Body of Christ around the table of Lord being nourished by his Word and by the Bread from Heaven. The following is a temporary timetable:
SUNDAY MASS will begin on WEEKEND OF 10TH AND 11TH OF OCTOBER.
Sat 10th October, 5.30pm Mass outside Nazareth Centre (max 5)
Sun 11 October 8.30 Mass outside St Mary’s Kinglake (max 10)
9.00am Mass outside St Mary’s Whittlesea (max 5)
10.30am Mass outside Nazareth Centre (max 5)
Those who wish to attend the Mass will need to provide the Parish Office with name, phone number, and stating your choice of mass. You can do this either by Phone – 94128493 or by email merndawhittlesea@cam.org.au
Scheduling of Masses in this way ensures that we are meeting the strict regulations regarding the collection of contact details of those attending, strict monitoring of numbers, ongoing hygiene, masks and respecting physical distancing protocols.
Weekday Masses outside St Mary’s church Whittlesea will be on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th October at 9.15am
BAPTISMS: may also be celebrated under the outdoor gathering limits of 5 including the Celebrant.
Those parents who have had their baptism postponed will be contacted by our Pastoral Associate to speak with you regarding our new situation and your wishes.
These above arrangements regarding Masses and Baptisms may change again in the middle of October when further new steps could be announced by the Government on the Roadmap of recovery.
We do hope that the above Covid-19 update is the beginning of the slow journey out of Lockdown into a new Covid normal time. Meanwhile, may we continue to find support and strength from one another and to be responsive to those around who may be vulnerable or isolated. May we continue to trust in the Lord’s closeness to us praying for each other and for those who continue to work on the frontline in keeping us safe and caring for others. May we also continue to pray for a deeper sense of solidarity and healing within our world community at this time.
With every blessing,
Fr Martin Ashe
Parish Priest, Christ the Light Parish