From Fr Greg's Desk: 28th March

Hi Everyone!

I hope the deluge from last week's rain hasn't been too much of a challenge for you. At least now the sun is out and things have dried out quite a bit. Our thoughts and prayers, however, go out to the many in our city, state and further afield who have lost houses, livestock, livelihoods and even lives and loved-ones in the recent floods. It does seem that we have entered a new phase in which our nation and inhabitants are continually at the mercy of these extreme weather events.


Welcome to Galia Edwards, our new Parish Office Administrative Assistant
As mentioned in last week's bulletin, we will soon be farewelling Natasha from the Parish Office team after this last year working for us, as she will be taking on her four-yearly 'seasonal' work with the Paralympics after Easter. We wish her well, particularly with all the uncertainties the COVID 19 crisis has wreaked on international travel, games and meetings. We might see her once again, however, once the Games are over and the administrative side of the Paralympics is wrapped up. Thank you, Natasha!

We now introduce to you Galia Edwards, who joined our Parish Team last week as a job-share with Hannah Rizzo, who will be finalising her own university studies later on this year. Galia (pronounced "Gah-lia") has taken to the work 'like a duck to water' and will be helping you out with all your enquiries and administrative needs from the Parish office. Please give Galia a warm welcome when you see her around, and introduce yourselves to her. Welcome on board, Galia!

Singing is now permitted inside Churches
One of the recently relaxed COVID 19 restrictions relates to congregational singing. You will be pleased to know that we can now freely sing even inside our Churches. (Thank heavens for small mercies...) Please note, however, that the current restrictions on numbers of people inside the Churches is still limited to one person per two metres squared of interior space, meaning we are still restricted to 200 people at SCB Church and 160 at OLQP Church for the Easter period.

2nd Rite of Reconciliation next Wednesday 31st March, 2021 at 7.30 pm (SCB Church)
Next Wednesday we will be offering the Rite of Reconciliation for all of you. We invite you to come along for the opportunity to 'shed those spiritual kilos' weighing us down, and experience the uplifting nature of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And, yes, the Church expects all Catholics to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year. It could be many more years than that since you last visited the confessional, so make the most of this wonderful liberating gift of the Catholic Church.

We still need more volunteers for this Easter at both Churches
With the '2 meter squared' COVID restrictions still in place for places of worship (yes, it does seem a bit unfair that 'entertainment venues' can be filled to capacity but 'places of worship' are still being treated as risky venues!!??), we are going to need a lot of volunteers again this Easter. Bear in mind that we are also offering three new time slots for Easter Masses due to the current restrictions. We are in need more parking wardens, ushers and door personnel, AV operators, welcomer's and the like. Please 'step up' and make yourself known to our Parish Office if you can help us out this year!!

Easter Volunteers Meeting next Monday 29th March at 7.30 am (SCB Primary School Hall)
We apologise for the late notice, but due to the uncertainties surrounding restrictions on Places of Worship, we have had to leave this second and final meeting of all volunteers for the Easter services at RGCP (at both SCB and OLQP Churches) until the beginning of Holy Week. If you are a volunteer in any of our Easter services, in any capacity, please make it along at 7.30 pm on Monday evening in the SCB Primary School Hall.


And that's all there is for now, dear brethren!


God bless, and I look forward to seeing you at our Holy Week liturgies and celebrations.


Fr. Greg

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