Live Daily Mass is available from St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne: https://melbournecatholic.org.au/Mass
NEED A PRIEST URGENTLY? Please call 0490 898 464
If the matter is not urgent, please contact one of our Priests via the parish office 9949 4455.
PRAYER UNITED AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS - Provided by the Augustinians:
Almighty and merciful God, refreshment in our weariness, support in our weakness, comfort in our sadness.
We come to you to invoke your mercy, since today we still experience the fragility of the human condition
in the presence of a new viral pandemic. Listen to the prayer we offer, comfort your children,
save us from the present distress and open our hearts to be people of hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE – ’We are the Church and we remain open…’
Dear Friends,
At this time each of us needs what Faith we have and the support of our community – the community of family, friends, school, Parish and Church, and other groups that sustain us. You, like me, may at times feel confused, afraid, anxious or adrift – understandable in the face of a new reality – but we also need one another’s Faith to help us through… and they need ours!
Every experience can be a call to love more, and we need to care for each other and for ourselves too. How disappointing that our churches must now be closed to the public – this in addition to the recent suspension of public Masses by the Diocese of Broken Bay. We must remain people of Hope.
Might this period be a time of reimagining for us personally, as a community and as Church? Perhaps a time to revisit what we truly believe, to reconnect with the God within, the God who holds us in the palm of his hand. I find great strength in the following wisdom:
‘Buildings are closed, not the Church. We are the Church… and we remain open in faith,
hope and love!’
A LENTEN REFLECTION – ‘When Jesus weeps….’
READINGS 29/03/20 5th Sunday in Lent Year A
Some world events have the power to heighten our sense of common humanity, like the World Wars, 9/11, the Bali bombing, our drought and bushfires, but COVID-19 reminds us of our absolute vulnerability as it affects our whole country and lifestyle, the family too as members spend more time together, as children’s routines are disturbed and outlets for work and recreation are narrowed. Stress is very real and then there is the sadness of our locked churches where at times like this we can find some solace together.
During difficult times, the words of the Scriptures leap off the page, their meaning sharpened not only by our own circumstances but also by the often much worse plight of others as individuals and whole communities. This Sunday’s responsorial psalm is the De profundis – ‘Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice!’ Pray this psalm and you may be moved to tears, but you will be reassured of God’s intimacy in the response – ‘With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.’
Our present time is a time to work on ‘family Faith’! Family energises us through its groundedness and intimacy. Today’s Gospel story is familiar, as Jesus visits his close friends, a family we’ve met before – the too busy Martha and the prayerful Mary. Yet this encounter is much different as they are dealing with the death of their brother Lazarus.
PARISH ACTIVITIES
PARISH LENTEN ACTIVITIES
Due to closure of the church, the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings have been cancelled. The Lenten Discussion group at St Kieran’s on Thursdays has also been cancelled.
FIRST RITE OF RECONCILIATION –Saturday 28th March- 5.00-6.00pm in the Parish Centre
MASS AND PRAYER ‘AT HOME’
Various resources are being made available for parishioners for prayer at home:
Mass for You at Home – Sunday mornings on Channel 10
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference – information online about streamed Masses and prayers on ACBC website in coronavirus portal: www.catholic.org.au/coronavirus
10:30 Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral - Available at: https://www.stmaryscathedral.org.au
Daily Mass—http://www.northsydneycatholics.com/spirituality/liturgy/mass-on-demand
Additional Prayer Resources – Google specific devotions or ‘Catholic Prayers’
Please check the Parish website for other links: www.northharbourcatholic.org.au
HOLY WEEK AND TRIDUUM
We expect to receive an update within the week from Bishop Anthony in respect to the Liturgies of Holy Week and Easter.
Please note: The Passover Meal on Holy Thursday and Stations of the Cross on Good Friday in both churches will not go ahead.
SPAGHETTI NIGHTS CANCELLED
Given the restrictions on group gatherings and the fact that food is being prepared and shared, it is with regret that we advise that our popular Spaghetti Nights in March and April have been cancelled.
Mass Online or on TV
While nothing can replace going to Mass and being physically present in the Church, many people can pray with the words of the readings, hearing the gospel message and watching the celebration of the Eucharist on television or online.
And for those who would like to have access to Mass every day at a time that suits, there is a Mass on Demand service from Church Resources through the CathNews YouTube platform here. This is the first Mass of the Day
at St Mary’s Church in North Sydney.
It is uploaded at the end of the Mass, and is available for 24 hours
until it is replaced with the new Mass of the day.
If you'd like to tune into Pope Francis' Daily Mass:
http://www.catholictv.org/shows/pope-francis-daily-mass
Information about the current Sacramental Program
- Welcome to the Sacramental Program 2019-2020
- Registration Form 2019-2020
- Photocard
- Parish News
- Baptism of Young Children Program
- Nurturing Faith
- Stations of the Cross
First Reconciliation Postponed in light of current concerns about COVID-19
We have not yet decided on alternative dates as we need to monitor the changing situation.
Remaining dates for the 2020 and 2021 Sacramental Program are unchanged at this time; you will be advised of any adjustments in coming weeks.
Vinnies Feedback on Bushfire Appeal
The SVDP Bushfire Appeal has raised $22.2 M and has already distributed $10.3 M to people directly impacted by the fires in ACT, NSW, Q’land and Vic. The balance of $11.9 M remains for both community recovery and Rebuilding phases.. All funds raised will be spent in assisting those affected in the recent bushfires, as administration costs will be borne by the Society through separate funding.
A farming couple, wiped out in recent North Coast fires was evacuated to Northern Beaches. They were seeking to obtain rented accommodation and approached the SVDP for help. Our support person obtained free accommodation, supplied food vouchers, clothing, household goods and furniture, whilst paying the government entitlements to them. They wanted to eventually relocate near their destroyed property to rebuild the farm infrastructure etc. SVDP has obtained local free housing, with the names of local agencies and contact people to assist them in accessing the services they need when they are ready. We have assisted in the payment of urgent outstanding bills and transportation costs. The couple was overcome with our support. This is just one example of not just financial support but the wider needs of the fire ravaged community. John McCarney, Manly Vale SVDP Conference
AFA Walk and Talk
AFA have decided to postpone the AFA Fun Walk on Sunday, 29 March due to the Coronavirus. AFA wishes to thank everyone who has already donated—we have received $550 so far. Hopefully we can hold the walk later in the year.
Kind regards Adriana
Children's Liturgy - new volunteers needed
The children’s liturgy ministry is always looking for new mums, grandparents and carers to be involved in this wonderful and rewarding ministry. Being a volunteer in this ministry involves helping with children’s liturgy that takes place on Sundays at the churches of St Cecilia and St Kieran’s. You will be placed on roster alongside another volunteer who is currently doing children’s liturgy to help out about once to twice a term.
Hospitality Volunteers required for 9:30am Mass at St Kieran’s Church
We are looking for volunteers to serve tea, coffee and bickies after the 9:30am mass at St Kieran’s Church. You are welcome to volunteer just once a year or more if you can manage it. It is a very easy way to volunteer and keep the community spirit alive in our parish. Setting up takes 15 minutes before mass and serving/cleaning up after mass takes about 30/40 minutes.
It is very easy and everything is provided, including training!
I hope to hear from some parishioners as it is a lovely part of our Sunday morning gathering as well as a great way to meet more parishioners.
Have a wonderful day Ursula 0423 595 204 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
HELPING THE AUGUSTINIANS—DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS
AUGUSTINIAN APPEAL
Each year, supporters of the Augustinians from our ministries and elsewhere contribute generously to the work of the Province, particularly to the formation of our seminarians and our social justice outreach. Augustinian Seminary Trust Fund – These funds are used exclusively for the ongoing provision for our seminarians. Envelopes are available in our parishes and you can make a donation by cash, credit card, or direct deposit to
BSB: 082-146 Account No: 13-610-4220.
Other ways you can support the Province’s ministries are by donations to:Augustinian Volunteers Australia Trust Fund, or Bequests. Mailing address is:
Order of St Augustine , PO Box 7278, Warringah Mall, Brookvale NSW 2100.
For further information, please contact the Province Office on (02) 9938 0200 or Anna Heath at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for your generous support!
Donations are tax deductible
He Who has given us the gift of being also gives us the gift of being good. He gives it to those who have turned back to Him. He even sought them out before they were converted and when they were far from His ways. [St Augustine, On Psalm 103 (4), 2]
From St Augustine
St Augustine—
For Your law’s sake, I have kept faith with You, my Lord, since You have thought it worthwhile to lay down for me the law of mercy, to forgive me all my sins and to admonish me on other matters lest I offend You.
Commentary on Psalm 129, 3
Low Gluten Communion Bread
Low gluten hosts re now available on the table with the offertory gifts in both churches. Parishioners wishing to receive a low gluten host are asked to place a low gluen host in the pyx or glass dish marked low gluten before Mass. These hosts will be consecrated at Mass and available from the priest at Communion time. Alternatively, parishioners are welcome to follow our current practice and speak to the priest or senior server ahead of time to request a low gluten host.
Gluten Intolerant? - The Coeliac Society NSW has issued the following advice about low gluten Communion bread.
The low gluten hosts contain traces around 6 parts per million (ppm) and in Australia, the Food Advisory Board say that no detectable gluten must be found in order to label foods gluten free which is why the communion wafer is called low gluten. If low gluten products were on the supermarket shelves we wouldn’t be able to consume them.
Because communion is taken in such a tiny amount, it is an exception to the rule and therefore safe for Coeliac’s.
If you are gluten intolerant, low gluten hosts are available at the church. Let the priest know prior to Mass to receive one at Communion.
