On the 27th of September 2021, the NSW Government released a roadmap regarding reducing the current lockdown COVID-19 restrictions. These gradual reduction in restrictions are outlined below.
When considering these restrictions and our actions as we move more freely in our church communities, we must always act with a sense of love to our neighbours. The Catechism teaches that “Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.” (n.2288)
When following these guidelines, the faithful must consider the safety of themselves and others, compliance with the law and strict hygiene practices as core principles. All faithful in the diocese are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Mass on Sundays. (canon 87 §1, canon 1248 §2)
The following summary documents the key guidelines as we meet each milestone set by the NSW Government. It is important to note that these guidelines include decisions by the Diocese, apart from Government orders, that are designed to maintain the dignity and physical health of all within our church communities.
As NSW has now reached 80% double vaccinated, our church will reopen on Saturday 23rd October 2021, and the usual Mass schedule will resume:
WOLLONGONG
Monday Mass: 7am
Tuesday Mass: 7am
Wednesday Mass: 7am, Confessions: 11.30am, Mass: 12.10pm
Thursday Mass: 7am
Friday Mass: 7am, Adoration: 11.30am, Confessions: 11.30am, Mass: 12.10pm
Sunday Mass: 7am, 10.30am & 5pm
GWYNNEVILLE
Thursday Mass: 9.30am
Saturday Mass:5.30pm
Sunday Mass: 9am
FAIRY MEADOW
Tuesday Mass: 9.30am
Thursday Mass:9.30am (Italian) , Mass:5.30pm
Sunday Mass: 8.30am, Mass:10am (Italian), Mass: 4.30pm (Vietnamese)
BALGOWNIE
Sunday Mass: 10am
The NSW Health Regulations currently state:
- Anyone, vaccinated or unvaccinated may attend church services [Masses]
- Capacity In Our Churches [4m2 Rule]
- Wollongong – 90
- Fairy Meadow – 120
- Gwynneville – 60
- Balgownie – 70
- There is no singing
- Face Masks are required to be worn
- Sanitizers are available upon entry
- QR Registration Is Required
Memorial of St Francis
Link to today’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100421.cfm
Today the Church remembers and celebrates St Francis of Assisi. To (further) vary the format of our weekday reflections, please find following a link to reflection from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website of today’s memorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT5yIFwHqZA&list=PLpTzvCOJa7DD9TgXScDzmUNxVbbSBuOSi&index=4
And also a song: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Aled Jones & Russell Watson) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_SOqy7glSw
(Image downloaded from www.sfccdow.catholic.edu.au on 03 October, 2021)
The Feast of Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels
Today’s Responsorial Psalm
In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
“Great is the glory of the LORD
In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
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The Memorial of St Vincent de Paul
From today’s First Reading
Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am intensely jealous for Zion, stirred to jealous wrath for her.
Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and I will dwell within Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women, each with staff in hand because of old age, shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem. The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also, says the LORD of hosts?
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun,
and from the land of the setting sun. I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem.
They shall be my people, and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.
Hosea (Monks of the Weston Priory)
Link to today’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092221.cfm
From today’s Responsorial Psalm:
So now consider what he has done for you,
and praise him with full voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness,
and exalt the King of ages.
Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones,
and may all of you praise his majesty.
Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise
Ancient of Days (City Alight)
Link to today’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092021.cfm
For the next two weeks I will be teaching a course to Chaplains new to Australian Defence Force Chaplaincy, and given that focussing on what to have for breakfast whilst also watching the morning news is generally too complex a task for me, what chance have I of remembering to write reflections for the coming fortnight!
My cunning plan then is to select a verse or couple of verses from the readings of the day, or from one of the prayers of the Mass of the Day, and pair them with a song / hymn. I hope you find it useful.
The Entrance Antiphon for Masses this week:
I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord.
Should they cry to me in any distress,
I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.
Good and Gracious King (City Alight)
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Link to today’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/0915-memorial-our-lady-sorrows.cfm
Today the Church brings to mind the image of Mary – Our Lady of Sorrows, and today’s Gospel Reading (Jn 19:25-27) is the telling of perhaps the most sorrowful and poignant moments of Mary’s life; the death of her son (Jesus) on the Cross.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
At times in our life, perhaps many times, when confronted with the mystery of suffering or injustice, or being with someone as they waver of the doorstep between this life and the next, our only response can be that of Mary at the foot of Cross: A faithful, silent, certain presence in the face of all else.
Today we ask Our Lady of Sorrows to journey with those in such circumstance, and to present them with a mother’s love to her Son.
