From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 1st March 2026

Hi everyone.
Hour of Adoration this Week(end) for the Upcoming 'Eucharist28'
This weekend we have been asked to offer an 'hour of Eucharistic Adoration' for the success of the upcoming International Eucharistic Congress to take place here in Sydney in 2028. What that involves is for Parishioners to get along to the Church for an hour of adoration, and offering their prayers for this specific purpose.

Knowing, however, that you may not all be able to find an hour this weekend, and that our Church of St. Charles is very busy anyway on Sunday mornings with Masses and Baptisms, might I suggest as an alternative that you come along during the next week, and offer that Hour of Adoration for the success of the upcoming International Eucharistic Conference in 2028?

St Charles Borromeo Church is generally open every day from 7 am to 5 pm; however, the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on the main altar may need to be limited to those times in which there are no other activities going on in the Church, and in which we have Wardens available to keep watch.

'Parking Blues' at St. Charles Ryde
Due to the increased number of attendees at our Sunday Masses at St. Charles Borromeo Ryde, the car park and school quadrangles are filling to overflowing now nearly every weekend, and that is at all three Masses on Sundays. Whilst we have tried to roster on wardens to help with the parking, so as to ensure the maximum number of car spaces for all, we need your cooperation to maximise the number of spots available, especially for our elderly parishioners and visitors. Hence could you please help us out by considering the following:

1. 'Car Pooling' with other Parishioners who regularly attend these Masses?

2. Using the Potts St. carpark (on the other side of SCB Primary School) or parking on the adjacent streets?

3. Parking your cars in such a way as to keep as many spots available for others around you?

Thanks in advance for your courteous treatment of our volunteer car parking attendants, who have generously given up their time to help us out.

Guidelines for Reception of Communion for those of Limited Mobility
It has come to my attention this week that some of our parishioners of limited mobility have experienced difficulty with the reception of the Eucharist in prior weeks from where they were sitting in the pews of our Churches. I apologise for any misunderstandings around the current practise of assisting those of you who need to be brought communion where you are sitting. We are happy to do so, but also need your cooperation and understanding to 'help us help you'.

Hence, the following are our guidelines of 'best practise' for reception of the Eucharist for those who are unable to approach the Altar at Communion time. Please kindly:

1. Notify the Acolyte serving at that particular Mass before Mass begins that you require communion "in the pew";

2. Sit close to the front of the Church and next to one of the two side aisles so that you can be easily seen and approached as the Minister passes along that aisle;

3. Stand up (unless incapable of doing so) and raise a hand as the Eucharistic minister passes by to notify them that you are there and wish to receive the Eucharist.

Please be aware that, as we have many 'Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist' and they serve on a rotating roster for each Mass, it may not be the same Acolyte you notified before the Mass, or an experienced Minister who attends to you at this moment. Hence the need for your help is making sure this all runs smoothly.

If there are any further matters requiring clarification or adaptation of our current 'best practise', in this or other areas, I would be more than happy to discuss them with you at a mutually convenient time and adapt accordingly.

God bless you all ... and thank God for the rain (on behalf of our lawns and gardens!)

Fr. Greg