From Fr Greg's Desk : 19th July

Hi everyone! It is so good to be back with you, after two weeks of retreat down the south coast. The retreat was a great opportunity to have some quality time for prayer and reflection, sharing the space with Br. Steve and, happily, without incident! I have benefited greatly from the break, and am now enthusiastically back in service to the Parish.

I hope the school holidays are going nicely for you all, even though they are coming to a close this week end. Welcome back to school next week for all our staff and students!

The big news, of course, is about Br. Steve Drum's impending Ordination to the Diaconate, which is the final step to his Ordination to the Priesthood some time next year. We are all very excited about it, and I know he is as well. I know many of you would have liked to be there on Sunday to witness it all, but because of the COVID - 19 restrictions, we are severely limited in numbers and Br. Steve's family is, incidentally, quite large! The Ordination will, however, be live streamed and for those who pre-book there is an overflow area in the Parish Hall limited to 47 people, which will remain open until full or until 8 am Sunday morning. Our 'newly minted' Deacon Steve will then be preaching that same day at the 6pm Youth Mass (also live streamed!). Congratulations, Br. Steve!

Please keep our own dear Fr. John Alt in your prayers. He is currently recuperating in rehab after having had severe back pain several weeks back. He thanks you all for your prayers and looks forward to being able to celebrate Mass with you once again soon. Word has it that Fr. John will be celebrating his own Diamond Jubilee this time next year as well.

Just a few words about the new COVID - 19 restrictions. Since the capacity of both of our Churches is within the limits of the new restrictions being enforced from Friday 24th July, we will maintain the same system of pre-booking for the Masses as per usual. We need to keep records of contact details for everyone entering our Churches and installations.


Please be advised that for the sake of your health and safety, and that of the wider Parish community, we will be taking temperatures of all people entering into our Churches and be asking anyone with a temperature above 38 degrees to leave and seek medical testing immediately. Know that it is completely acceptable to wear a face mask during our Masses. Please remember to observe the socially distancing rules as per normal.


And please be nice to our staff ... they are only doing their job!! and I, as Parish Priest, am accountable to the State for the health and well being of our Parishioners and visitors. So I count on your understanding and assistance as we wade through all these COVID - 19 quagmires over the next few months. Thanks for your collective patience and cooperation to date!



Your brother in Christ's service, in these very challenging times,

Fr Greg