From Fr Greg's Desk: 20th September

Hi everyone!

Well, it has been an incredibly busy three weeks, but we have now successfully navigated all the Confirmations for 108 of our younger set, the Commitment masses and First Reconciliations for another 148 others, and caught up with most of the baptisms which had been postponed from the earlier COVID lock down.

The difficulties this year were exacerbated by COVID 19 restrictions, meaning a multiplication of Confirmation and Commitment Masses and Reconciliation liturgies which lead to endless complications and adaptations. It is completely understandable why many of the other parishes in our Archdiocese have postponed their confirmations until next year.


Most of you have no idea of the workload that we have been under for the past four weeks, and the stress COVID 19 has caused on our Parish office and staff. We have had to celebrate many more masses and liturgies because we were restricted to about 20 candidates and their encourages each time. You do the maths ... fitting in all those celebrations in-between weddings and regular masses in such a short space of time has been nothing short of monumental!

We apologise if some of you felt that the communications were difficult, and the preparations via zoom less than optimum. Some parents have made their opinions very clear to our staff. I am certain all our HSC students, university students, and others feel the same way because classes have had to be done online.


But 'the show must go on' ... life doesn't stop because COVID started. The only other feasible alternative was to postpone the Confirmations until next year. Some parents opted to do so, and wesupport them in their decision; others told me that as there was no certainty the same wouldn't be repeated into 2021 with the ongoing COVID crisis, that they preferred to plough on.


The vast majority of parents have expressed their great satisfaction that the Parish made the brave decision to go ahead with them anyway. I am deeply indebted to our Sacramental Coordinator, Dominic Altachy, and his team that they battled on despite immense workloads and deadlines to get all our candidates across the line, even to organising extra formation sessions and liturgies to cope with stragglers and late arrivals.


All that, on top of all the normal activities our Parish has on, and with Father Daniele away on retreat. Phew!


The experience of all three of these sacramental moments in the life of our Parish, however has been overwhelmingly positive. The Holy Spirit seems to have adapted athletically to the constrictions imposed upon us to congregate and prepare our candidates, sponsors and family members together, and made a beautiful impact on us all.


I personally witnessed how many of our youth were touched by a smaller Confirmation experience, and the separation of the Commitment Masses from the other normal Sunday Masses was a grace in itself, and not just because we would never have been able to fit them all into our churches at those times (given the limitations of numbers due to the interior space available and '4 meter rule' governing occupancy).


One of the unexpected outcomes this year was that we could dedicate the whole of each of the Commitment Masses to the youth making those promises, and explore what they mean and the reasons why they are taking them. That would not have been possible had the congregations been mixed. It is most likely we will hold separate Commitment Masses for First Holy Communion and First Reconciliations in future years.


So, all in all, a pretty massive feat, thanks to our 'cast and crew' in the Parish Office (especially Judy Raumer, Dominic Altachy, Sandra Mollica and Co. and the help of Peter Watkins and teachers from both SCB and OLQP primary schools.


In a few weeks time we will begin the formation sessions for the First Holy Communion contingent. Please be advised that present COVID restrictions will probably mean changes to the way we do things at these Masses, and we will advise you of this in coming weeks.


In the meantime, spring has begun and our flowers out the front of our churches are blooming! Time for us to also 'bloom where we are planted and bring the goodness and joy of being loved by Jesus into our hearts and homes as well!


With my fondest regards, and united in prayer to all of you, in all your challenges, crosses and triumphs,


Your brother in Christ's service,


Fr. Greg