...from a Distance of 1.5m. A primary concern for us as we open our Church in the parish is, of course, people’s safety. As we resume public Masses, we have made sure that we comply with the Health and Safety Guidelines asked of us by the State Government and the Archdiocese. I would like to make it clear for your information that these guidelines have resulted in two possible plans. One plan, which is less restrictive, would only allow us to continue to offer mass together with the smallest of numbers. The other plan, Industry COVID Safe Plan for Places of Worship, which we have chosen to follow, enables a larger number of people to participate in Mass based on the social distancing measurement rules. This option allows 80 people to register in advance for each weekend masses at St. Mary Mackillop’s Parish. Only those who register may come to the nominated Mass. This number is reduced by the fact that we have to ensure there is 4 square metre rule and 1.5 metre distancing rule per person. We have divided the St. Mary Mackillop’s church, Birkdale into 4 zones 4 zones - A, B, C, D. Each zone has 20 seats. It is essential that you make an advance booking if you wish to attend weekend Masses. It is mandatory that the contact details of attendees and staff are recorded at the outset of the gathering and that the contact lists are retained for at least 56 days and provided to Queensland Health if needed for the purposes of contact tracing. This contact lists should be made for each group of up to 20 people. Door Marshals- We are in need of volunteers who can handle parishioners tactfully while ensuring we comply with our obligations. Must be under 70 years of age (Government & Archdiocese mandate) and be able to check people in quickly while collecting their contact information. We also need cleaners to help sanitise each section after churches have been used. If you are able to assist, please email or phone the Parish office with your details or let me know. Thank you for your patience and understanding with these Government Protocols as we try to create safe and prayerful liturgies. Due to COVID we are not currently able to have collections during Mass. A collection box will be available at the entrance before and after Mass for envelopes and loose change. SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2020: With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, while following all social distancing and health policies, we are now able to move ahead with the Sacramental Program for confirmation, Penance and First Holy Communion. Families are given the option to defer to 2021 for any of these sacraments if they choose. For any further enquiries please contact Lisa Knight at the Parish Office on 3822 2139 or by email. Blessings, Fr. Dantus Thottathil.
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We are back into Ordinary Time of the Liturgical year. This seems to coincide with the current gradual emerging from our isolation into the ordinary pattern of living. We have approval to open our churches, as long as we follow the correct social distancing measures within our parish. That means we have protocols in place in each church, a register to record your contact details, sanitiser at entrances, and antibacterial wipes disinfect your pew as you leave church. Under the current restrictions we will be allowed to have 100 people attend but this number is reduced by the fact that we have to ensure there is 4 square metres per person. (In St. Mary MacKillop, Birkdale that means a maximum of 100 persons can attend. Gumdale Mass is still on hold at present.) I know this process has already been confusing for many. To help you to follow the protocols there will be two people designated to monitor the signing sheet at the entrance and to help you to find your seat. When you attend, please arrive early so the marshal can sign you in and ensure the hygiene requirements are met.
Thank you for your patience and understanding with these Government Protocols as we try to create safe and prayerful liturgies. Due to COVID we are not currently able to have collections during Mass. A collection box will be available at the entrance before and after Mass for envelopes and loose change. The words of Jesus from today’s Gospel according to St. Matthew are so strong! “Fear no one.” We can only be free from fears if we truly believe in the Lord and desire everlasting life. The deepest truth about God that Jesus taught is that He is a caring God, compassionate and forgiving, a God who is on our side. “Don’t be afraid. I am with you always.” The only thing to fear is distancing ourselves from God, loss of trust our Creator. We follow Jesus, trusting that He is with us, not just for a moment, but for every moment of our lives. The mystery of God’s call to us and of our response to Him is that He is always there for us. Nothing happens in our life without God’s knowledge and it follows that God’s care is unfailing. Today Jesus invites us to a life that is truly open and to a life follows His way to the Cross! Let us walk forward with faith and strive to live with joy and delight in the love of Jesus! Blessings, Fr. Dantus Thottathil. Jesus is the "bread of life"..... This weekend the Church is celebrating the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. This special Feast is celebrated in remembrance of Jesus who gave His life for our salvation and commanded us to celebrate the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in His memory. Most of our parishioners have a strong desire to gather together again. I’ve heard lots of people talk about their longing and excitement for the grand reunion that will take place once life gets back to normal. As we are aware under the current restrictions we may not be able to come to the Church as a Eucharistic community but every time we gather for the Eucharist, it’s like being in that upper room with the first disciples, and the Lord is present again to support and to challenge us. The more we become aware of Christ living and acting in and through us as His Body, the more meaningful will be our gathering around His table of the altar.
The feast of Corpus Christi has always reminded me how real and close Jesus is as present to us. I think it is important that I bring you this for your reflection. How often do we receive Holy Communion as a force of habit, in order to be seen by others, in order to be counted pious? Do we really have a deep faith in the Eucharist? Do we prepare, through prayer and recollection for Mass and Communion. Are we thankful to God for this marvellous gift? We are reminded not to be careless in our adoration and belief in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Every single particle of the bread of the host, and every single drop of the wine in the chalice, even to the smallest particle, is the Real Presence of our Lord Himself, fully present in Body, Soul and Divinity. To strengthen our faith, from time to time, God has allowed visible Eucharistic Miracles to occur in various parts of the world so that we may believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Dear friends, therefore today, as we commemorate this great Solemnity of Corpus Christi, let us all rediscover our understanding and respect for the Lord who has given us His own Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Let us all start from deep within, by striving to participate more actively in the celebration of the Holy Mass, and by receiving Him humbly and reverently in the Eucharist. Blessings, Fr. Dantus Thottathil This weekend we celebrate the solemnity of the Holy Trinity, the feast of the Triune God manifested in three persons, the Father, Son and the Spirit. In our practice of Christian Life, the Trinity is remembered often in prayer and throughout the daily routine by every Christian. Each time we make the sign of the cross, as we do at the beginning of Mass, we say: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Even though we remember the Trinity several times a day, as we invoke the divine presence before we begin any activity; it is difficult to comprehend the full meaning because the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we acknowledge constitute a great Mystery. Our God is a Trinity, a God of love and forgiveness.
The teaching about the Trinity is one of the most fundamental doctrines in our Christian faith yet not explicitly explained in the Bible. We have only limited Biblical passages to support that in the fullness of God, there are three distinct persons with specific attributes. Jesus in His teaching calls God Abba, Father and He teaches the disciples also to address Him in the same way. Jesus also speaks of the Spirit as His advocate and His oneness with Him. In our understanding of the Trinity, specific roles however are attributed to them. Namely, Father as the Creator, Son as the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit as the Sanctifier. The feast of the Most Holy Trinity is a mystery that one does not fully understand. Our faith tells us that these three persons are indeed distinct and yet united. If in our practice of faith there are no other words remembered that the names of Father, Son and the Spirit then this Trinity is all that is needed for us to fully live our Christian life. Blessings, Fr. Dantus Thottathil. We invite you to register your interest in attending Mass on either Friday 9.30 am at Birkdale or Saturday vigil Mass at Birkdale 6.15 pm and Sunday 8.00 am by emailing the parish office at birkmmack@bne.catholic.net.au or phoning 07 3822 2139.
Please leave your best contact details and parish secretary will contact you to confirm Mass attendance and requirements under the COVID-19 Safe Plan. At this stage we are able to have 20 people including the celebrant under the current restrictions. This will require: A process of registration for Mass attendance; the collection of names and contact details to allow authorities to trace attendees should the need arise; observing physical distancing whilst inside our churches. We appreciate your co-operation and understanding in the implementation of these procedures. |
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