St. Patrick's Catholic Church Kogarah

COVID-19 update

Restrictions on church attendance will be eased further to allow for up to 300 attendees at Masses, as long as churches follow a four square metre rule.

It is important to acknowledge that in practice, only St Mary’s Cathedral will be allowed up to 300 attendees because of its dimensions.

The latest easing of restrictions has also impacted upon the celebration of some sacraments such as weddings, baptisms and funerals. You’ll find more information here: https://www.sydneycatholic.org/coronavirus-frequently-asked-questions/

Churches are required to keep records of all attending Masses for contact tracing purposes and the NSW Government recommends that church-goers continue to wear face masks when attending Mass.

Go Make Disciples- Prayer for Renewal Campaign

Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP will be launching a new Archdiocesan Mission Plan Go Make Disciples on 12 December, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Star of the New Evangelisation.  The new plan is aimed at renewing our parishes as places of encounter with the living Christ and centres of evangelisation and outreach to our community in love and mercy.  In the weeks and months ahead we hope you will join us in an Archdiocesan-wide prayer campaign beginning on the Feast of All Saints (1 November), calling on the Holy Spirit, to prepare the hearts of each of us and of all our parishes and Eucharistic communities to receive anew the fire of God’s love and the desire to be ever more faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ.  Please join us by praying the attached prayer together at the end of each Mass, in your prayer group, and in your homes.  More about the campaign in this weekend’s Catholic Weekly.  For more information contact Parish Renewal Team at the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation, Archdiocese of Sydney on 9390 5307 or elizabeth.arblaster@sydneycatholic.org

Catholic Social Teaching and the Climate Crisis - Religion and Global Ethics Annual Event

Wednesday November 11th, 5 – 6 pm | Zoom (Link confirmed on registration)

The release of Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis in 2015 was hailed as a major milestone for ecology and environmental action across the world: the encyclical offers a framework for Catholics to both understand the contemporary climate crisis and take action. In this timely and interactive event, Dr Celia Deane-Drummond (Laudato Si’ Institute, Oxford) and Fr. Peter Smith (Sydney Catholic Archdiocese), discuss the successes, challenges, and possibilities of Catholic responses to the climate crisis. Dr Deane-Drummond and Fr. Smith together bring a wealth of theological expertise and practical experience on Catholic approaches to ecology and climate change, and this is a unique opportunity to hear a scholar and practitioner ‘in conversation’ on one of the pressing issues of our time. Please see the attached flyer for more details and please register by emailing: ies@nd.edu.au.

Healing after Abortion

Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries Weekend Retreat offers women and men a sanctuary in which to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion in a safe, supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment. The next healing retreat will be held 4-6 December 2020.  Join in an Online Reflection - Called to Life - a confidential free online individually guided reflection at a time to suit you.  Please enquire about these programs at Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries on their confidential number (voice mail): 0400 092 555 – more info at www.rachelsvineyard.org.au

The Catholic Weekly has gone Digital!

With the Catholic Weekly returning to print after the COVID-19 lockdown, some of you might prefer to read it electronically on your desktop, tablet or mobile. Subscribe to The Catholic Weekly Digital Edition at https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/product/the-catholic-weekly-digital-edition/ and be the first to receive the latest Catholic news and opinion.

e-Petition to proclaim Modern Slavery Act 2018

While the NSW Government has now committed itself to enacting legislation passed by parliament over two years ago, pressure is still on the government to ensure this happens before the end of 2020.

You’ll find a link to an epetition calling on the government to act here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/pages/epetitions-list.aspx. The closing date for signing the e-Petition has been extended to 3 November 2020.

Over 10,000 people have so far signed the petition and with the securing of 20,000 or more e-signatures, a debate on the subject of the e-Petition will be activated in the Legislative Assembly.

Got your wedding plans under control?

How prepared are you for marriage? Engaged Encounter provides you with deeper insights into each other and into married life.  We give you a chance to spend time together to strengthen and enrich your relationship.  For further information visit our web site: www.engagedencounter.org.au.  Choose any of the coming weekends: Nov 7-8, Feb 20-21.

JRS Appeal for Foodbank Donations

The Jesuit Refugee Service mobile food bank is a huge and growing operation. Since 1 April, they have collectively fed more than 5,000 women, children, and men who have lost jobs, been excluded from Federal Government financial support and cannot return home.  Their stocks of rice, pasta, oil, tuna, and long life milk are RUNNING LOW.  If you can donate these items we have drop off spots around Sydney here.  In the absence of Federal Government support for people in need, we continue to need your help.  Please visit: http://jrs.org.au/how-to-help-refugees-and-people-seeking-…/ and learn how you can support people who have no other means to buy these basics for their families.  This short video also shows what happens to food donations that are made: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=293160638622911

Support for the House of Welcome

The House of Welcome works with people seeking asylum and refugees to provide critical casework, housing, employment, food bank and emergency living assistance.  During COVID-19 the demand for financial assistance has risen.  HoW has increased the Emergency Living Package program by 216% to respond to the amplified levels of distress and hardship amongst their clients.  In the last few months House of Welcome has delivered emergency assistance and been able to support clients to maintain their tenancies and assisted those who have come to the centre homeless.  There are a number of ways that you can help such as donating to the Emergency Relief Package or donate staple food items to the House of Welcome foodbank (see attached flyer for items needed).