Fr From Greg's Desk: Sunday 26th September

 

Hi everyone!

Well, it has been a very busy week for me, so I apologise if I have not been as 'available' this last week for general duties with the Churches. I assure you, I've been more than a little occupied!!

Cadet Chaplain at Holy Cross College Ryde

For those of you who did not know, I am currently enrolled with the Australian Army Cadets in their "Officer Training Course" so as to help out as much as possible with our very own 'Holy Cross College Cadet Unit'. Yes, I am already their Chaplain, true; but I felt it was a wonderful opportunity to have a greater influence in the lives of these fine young men and future leaders of our community. So, I am also doing training to be an 'Officer of Cadets".Army Cadets is truly a wonderful thing for our youth, for it teaches them resilience, self-reliance, teamwork, valuable leadership skills and a whole range of other things which will serve them well throughout their lifetime. Actually, they are teaching those very same things to me as well! And if any of you would like to join us on cadet camps with Holy Cross College in the near future, which we will be doing once again once the COVID restrictions are over, let us know. You could help us out either as a "Defence Approved Helper", or perhaps even as a trainee officer, and help build these young men into the future leaders they are destined to become. Especially if your sons are at the College or going to go there... Talk to me about it!


First Holy Communions.

I suppose, however, the really 'big question' on the lips of many of our Parishioners right now, and one that constantly turns up in conversations and emails I have had of late, is this:...Father, 'Wot's Happening' with the First Holy Communions this year"?


The short answer is ... your guess is probably just about as good as mine!


However, so as to clarify a little, I can tell you this: Fr. Greg is definitely not postponing them; as long as the NSW Government permits us to do so. Okay? However, we will only be doing what the law permits us to do, whatever that may be...


Hence, depending upon how they "reopen" life up again will be the possibilities we have to get the kids together inside our Churches and give them their First Holy Communion. I am hoping that our churches will be open some time next month, but who knows what exactly will happen? Let's wait and see.


As to the question of how many people will be allowed to 'be there', well, that too depends on the NSW Govt. As far as the Parish is concerned, .we are 'all systems go' . Whenever we reach the 'magic figure' of 70% vaccinations, and are given the possibility to reopen our Churches, I assure you: they will be opened! If we get even better concessions with 80% vaccinations, well, "Blessed be the Lord!" That is about the best that I can do for now. Rest assured that, one way or another, we will find a way of getting First Holy Communion to each and every last one of our current contingent before the end of this year. And to the adults as well, both the 'vaccinated' and the 'unvaccinated': some may well not be able to be inside the Churches, but that doesn't mean they will be prevented from receiving our Lord on the outside!! Get the picture??


Okay, so as a gentle reminder, these are the dates already set for our 'First Holy Communion Masses", and we are planning on going ahead with them all, and at which I, God willing, will be presiding.


First Holy Communion Mass dates and times:

Saturday 6th November 2021 at 3 pm SCB

Sunday 14th November at 12 pm SCB

Sunday 14th November at 3 pm SCB

Saturday 20th November 2021 at 12 pm SCB

Sunday 21st November at 12 pm SCB

Sunday 14st November at 3 pm SCB

Saturday 27th November 2021 at 12 pm SCB


The families that are already booked in for these dates will be the ones who will participate. If one of those dates is cancelled due to COVID restrictions, those people will have to be fitted in later on at a new date and time. It is just the 'luck of the draw'. Note that, yes, all of the Masses are at SCB Church because, due to the great limitations of numbers permitted, they will all have to be live streamed:ed; if it is not, it is not. That's all there is to it. We will comply either way.


Working on the basis that we will only be permitted to re-open our Churches in accordance with the "1 person per 4 metre squared" rule, that means that each candidate for First Holy Communion will most likely be permitted to invite just three other people to come along apart from themselves.


And as for whether or not 'unvaccinated' people might be permitted inside, well, that too all depends on the Government. If it is allowed, it is allowed. If not, then we will act accordingly.


So, that is about all I can say for now about it. Let's see what happens on the near future, because well, everything depends on those vaccination rates going up!


All the very best, then, in this absolutely gorgeous weather! No excuse for not getting plenty of Vitamin D into you!!


Your brother in Christ's service,

Fr. Greg