From Father Greg's Desk: Sunday 19th March 2023

Hi everyone!

Children's Liturgy Developments
It is lovely to see so many children participating in our Kid's Liturgy at the 10 am SCB Mass each Sunday (during school time). Our Kid's Liturgy Team, however, are all volunteers, and we are blessed to have their assistance. We could certainly use a few more helping hands though.

If you can help, kindly speak to one of our Kid's Liturgy helpers or phone the Office on 9807 2966 to help us make the 'Church experience' more child friendly. We also hope to be able to offer an 'Older Kid's Liturgy’ for those in the "IGNITE" age group (years 3 - 5) to better cater for them, subject to the availability of helpers. Any takers??

 
We Still Need for All Church Volunteers to Sign In at Every Mass or Church Activity
An extremely important matter regarding all 'Church Volunteers’ was brought to our attention at the Clergy Conference last Thursday. It relates to the requirement by law that all Church Volunteers 'sign in' as soon as they begin their service activity.

Most of our Church Volunteers associate the "sign ins" required at Masses with the previous COVID lockdowns. However, we are still obliged by law to maintain a register of Church volunteers' sign-ins at every Mass or Church activity where children might be present. This Child Safeguarding legislation is still very much in force; non-compliance currently attracts stiff penalties - both for the Volunteer and for the Church organization to which they belong.

We have no choice but to comply with this legislation to keep our Churches open and avoid the stiff fines associated with non-compliance. We have been told to expect an audit of our registers at some stage in the near future by the Office of the Children's Guardian. It is, thus, in everyone's interest that we get into the habit of doing this at every Mass we serve, despite the inconveniences caused.

I, therefore trust in your good will, and thank you in advance for your due diligence in this important matter. It is understood that at the end of each Mass, each volunteer would automatically be signed out.

Mass Intentions.
We have received a number of requests over the past year to offer Masses for particular intentions over extended periods of time. We are very happy to offer the Mass for your deceased loved ones and other intentions. Whilst we appreciate the desire to repeatedly remember loved ones at Masses, especially in the first year of their passing, we are not in a position, at present, to offer a regular 'monthly inclusion service’, particularly in the case of extended periods of time.

This is because we are regularly dealing with many enquiries across a large range of services concerning diverse aspects of Parish and sacramental life. All reasonable requests will be met, wherever possible, at any of the regular Masses we celebrate at our Parish Churches. Memorial Masses can be requested outside of normal Mass times, but will be subject to both Priest and Church availability.

Please also remember to be courteous when requesting our Office Staff for help with any particular needs you may have.

Parish Office Closed Tuesday 21 March until 1.30 pm.
Our Parish Office will be closed next Tuesday Morning 21st March for our bi-annual office retreat. Like Jesus who took his disciples away for prayer and reflection, I, too, have requested my office staff take some time out with me for their bi-annual retreat.

We apologise for any inconveniences that morning, and will once again be 'open for business' at 1.30 pm the same day.

And that's about it for now. God bless!

Fr. Greg