St. Patrick's Catholic Church Kogarah

COVID-19 Update

Parishioners are reminded of the NSW Government advice to wear face masks as a safeguard to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  If parishioners choose not to wear a mask, they should be careful to ensure they maintain a clear distance of 1.5 metres from others.

Congregational singing, the sign of peace and passing of the collection plate continue to be suspended at this time. NSW Health has endorsed the use of a soloist only at Masses and if a small choir is used, members of the choir should stand at least 3 metres apart from each other.

Mass attendance numbers are limited to a maximum of 100 people, providing there is a four square metre space around each person, with the exception of people from the same household.

Up to 150 people are now allowed to attend church weddings.

All parishes must ensure that their churches are not left unattended when their doors are open and must keep written records with names and contact details of everyone who comes into the church at any time and these records must be kept for at least 4 weeks.

Parishes are advised to designate specific people to monitor the sign-in process and to make sure all people attending Masses are registering (at least one person from each family group).

Parishioners must not mingle before, during or after Mass since social distancing rules cannot be easily observed.

e-Petition to proclaim Modern Slavery Act 2018

Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP is encouraging people to sign an e-Petition calling on the Premier and the NSW Government to take immediate steps to proclaim the state’s Modern Slavery Act 2018.

Despite this law having passed parliament over two years ago, it still hasn’t been brought into law, thanks to stalling tactics which have failed some of our state’s most vulnerable citizens.

You’ll find a link to the petition 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 8000 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.

A Time of Grace Webinar for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees

The Nangami Peace and Justice Group of Our Lady of the Way Parish, the Justice and Peace Office and Jesuit Refugee Service Australia invite you to this webinar exploring a time for grace. Join us for a webinar on World Refugee and Migrant Sunday as a panel of experts ask: Is this a Time for Grace within our public policy, our theology and our own actions? Is there reason to have hope for all of us? The speakers will be Bishop of Parramatta, Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO, Australian Jesuit Priest, Human Rights Lawyer, and Academic, Nishadh Rego, Policy, Advocacy and Communications Manager, JRS Australia, Julie Macken, Research and Project Officer, Justice and Peace Office, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and a Leader with lived experience, TBC

Details: Sunday 27 September 2020 at 5:00-6:30pm via zoom

For more information please contact ruth.moraes@sydneycatholic.org or 0439 584 221 and please register here: https://bit.ly/3lR8RDr

Archdiocesan Social Justice Gathering  (online) “To Live Life to the Full: Mental Health in Australia Today”

The Justice and Peace Office of the Archdiocese is hosting a Social Justice Gathering online to delve into the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement 2020-21 “To Live Life to the Full: Mental Health in Australia Today” on Wednesday 30^th September from 6:30-7:30pm via zoom. The evening will consist of a number of short presentations by Dr. Robbie Lloyd, our Research and Project Officer who has extensive experience in mental health care as well as time to network with other participants. Please see the attached flyer for more details. Please register here: https://form.jotform.com/202521057173850 or contact Ruth Moraes at ruth.moraes@sydneycatholic.org or 0450 241 876.

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 https://justiceandpeace.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e20fe8ae3d2927c4c7faa4515&id=b6a0f69b86&e=d1b4b1b33f).

Family Spirit Supporting Children in need of Foster Homes

Every night in NSW there are hundreds of children from newborns and upwards desperate for somewhere to call home.

With 55 foster care agencies in NSW, Family Spirit’s point of difference is its focus on Catholic social teachings and Jesus’ rebuke to the Disciples “let the little children come to me and do not stop them for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these”.

CEO Jason Oldridge said the huge numbers looking for someone to care for them is nothing short of heartbreaking. He said they are limited only by the number of carers available:

if they could attract 50 more carers, they could place an additional 50 kids in a nurturing environment.

Family Spirit is asking parishes to promote our Family Spirit Information Evenings – which will be held online. We invite you to place an ad in your bulletin – all the information is found in the attachments – which can be cut and pasted into your bulletin of social media page.

If you’re having trouble with the content for your bulletin, please reach out to Roza on 0415 075 878 for assistance.

The Catholic Weekly has gone Digital!

With The Catholic Weekly returning to print, 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.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is a journey of spiritual healing to help women and men overcome the painful effects of an abortion experience.  The retreat offers a sanctuary in which to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion in a safe, supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment.  The weekend retreat is facilitated by professionally trained spiritual counsellors and priests.

We anticipate the next retreat to be held on 4 - 6 December 2020.  With Covid19 we need to remain flexible, however we are optimistic and we are taking registrations.

These recent changes have helped us to review the ministry and as a result of looking at new ways of helping women and men through this difficult journey. An online reflection titled Called to Life has been created. The response so far has been very good.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Ministries offers a confidential phone line (0400 092 555); weekend healing retreats; an informative website: www.rachelsvineyard.org.au ; and pastoral support with a trained counsellor or a priest.