SICK CALLS AND OTHER URGENT MATTERS
IF YOU NEED A PRIEST URGENTLY,
PLEASE CALL THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER:
Business hours 9am-4pm Mon - Fri – Parish Office – 9949 4455
After hours (Evenings and weekends) – 0490 898 464
RECONCILIATION BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE TO ORGANISE A SUITABLE DATE AND TIME - 9949 4455
PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE – When Grace Touches Us - ‘Knowing Our Vocation!’
Dear Friends
The prospect of several more weeks in lockdown challenges our sense of hope, personal security, even our identity, especially when faced with extended periods on our own. On the positive side, this may be a time for reflection on our life experience, on how God has been and continues to be active in our lives – perhaps a time to write about our personal story.
This week’s reflection is prompted by last Sunday’s blessing in response to Pope Francis’ initiative in establishing the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly celebrated on the 4th Sunday of July - a significant statement about the people in our lives whom we need to bless and whom we blessed at Mass last Sunday.
The life of each of us is important and celebration of grandparents and the elderly brings us back to basics, respect for all human life actually, to quote Pope Francis, ‘Grandparents and the elderly are not leftovers from life, scraps to be discarded. They are a precious source of nourishment… They protected us as we grew, and now it is up to us to protect their lives, to alleviate their difficulties, to attend to their needs and to ensure that they are helped in daily life and not feel alone.’
LIVESTREAMING – SUNDAY MASS at 9.30am
During the lockdown period, Sunday Mass will be livestreamed from St Kieran’s Church at 9.30am. On Sunday 1st August, Fr Abel will be the Presider and Homilist. Presentation of children preparing for Confirmation will be part of the Mass, with families participating from home.
Link to 9.30am Mass Live: https://www.facebook.com/NorthHarbourCatholic
or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt8Dxm0ehFt-5r1ie9xOjLw
Livestreaming Daily Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in Waitara can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNenwlfI7i14XB9TsVBrLvQ
A video message to all parishioners from Fr Dave can be found on the following link:
COVID-19 UPDATE
With the current outbreak of the COVID virus across Sydney, we are by now very familiar with the strict guidelines surrounding the Stay at Home Order. Individually and together, we are seeking to observe the government’s directions as they impact on so many aspects of our lives. Our churches remain closed and we are unable to gather, so it is incumbent on us to reach out to one another with reassurance that no one is forgotten. The present situation calls for patience and perseverance but also honesty about how we are feeling. Times like these can intensify our feelings of discouragement and isolation, so we should not hesitate to pick up the phone….
Planned Giving
Planned Giving receipts for the 2020/21 financial year have been emailed to all those with email addresses recorded by the Parish. Please call the office if you have not received your copy and we will post to you or update our records and email to you.
Weekly Collections during COVID
Dear Friends,
One very significant challenge we face as a Parish is that our income is largely derived from our weekly collections – which of course won’t be taking place whilst our church buildings are closed.
For those on Planned Giving credit cards, we thank you for your continued support.
For those who have supported us for many years by placing your donations or envelopes on the collection plate, we couldn’t exist without you. In our Parish, your contributions make up a significant part of our income.
We ask those able to consider going onto Planned Giving by credit card or making a donation to our bank account (details below). These options can be arranged for only the period when our churches are closed allowing you to resume your usual giving method once things return to normal. We know that some of you will be experiencing hardship and will not be able to contribute as you have in the past.
Thank you to all those who have made donations to our accounts, please note last week both the Parish and Priory have been issued with new bank account numbers as below. Please also note inward payments that have already been set up will continue to work.
ST CECILIA’S SCHOOL – ANNOUNCEMENT (From Fr Dave)
I wish to inform you that Fran Taylor, Principal of St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School, Balgowlah, has advised of her decision to retire at the end of the 2021 school year. Fran has held school leadership positions within the Diocese of Broken Bay for over 20 years and has been Principal of St Cecilia’s since 2015. Her personal and professional gifts are many and she has fostered strong relationships within this community and parish. The process of finding a suitable successor will begin soon. Later in the year, we will acknowledge Fran’s significant contribution to Catholic Education at St Cecilia’s and thank her for her excellent service and leadership.
Working with Children Checks
Due to the current Covid-19 lockdown, the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) has extended the expiry dates for those Working With Children Check’s due to expire between 19 July 2021 and 26 September 2021. The expiry dates have been extended for three months. People who are granted the extension will be advised by the OCG via email. To find out more visit:
https://www.ocg.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news/working-with-children-checks-extended-for-three-months
Information about the current Sacramental Program
Welcome to the Sacramental Program 2021-2022
Parish News
Baptism of Young Children Program
Works of Mercy an Opportunity for Family Reflection
Sacramental Program News
CONFIRMATION UPDATE
Parish Sacramental Coordinator Janette Davidson has written to families of children preparing for Confirmation and will continue to keep you informed of what is happening.
Basically, the Confirmation program is on hold until further notice, with practice sessions and ceremonies cancelled for now. However, we are keen for the preparation groups to maintain their momentum in a COVID-Safe way and complete the preparation by the middle of August. That will allow us to reschedule other activities when the way forward is clear.
Bishop Anthony has sent a message of prayerful support and appreciation to the children, families and all involved in the program. Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in North Harbour has been deferred to later in the year. In the meantime, Bishop Anthony stresses the importance of our communities remaining as safe as they can be during these challenging times and encourages us all to be generous in our flexibility and adaptability.
PARISH YOUTH MASS – Dates for Term 3
Please note the dates for our Parish Youth Masses will be advised in due course.
Music Ministry
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
0404 865 241 (Marianne) 9949 4455 (Parish Office)
Approach any member of the ministry or see Fr Dave
NEED HELP ON THE FOLLOWING MASSES:
- ·St Kieran’s 6pm (4th Sunday)
- ·St Cecilia’s 9am (1st and 2nd Sundays)
Parish ALPHA Program
The parish ALPHA program will recommence on 16th September 2021 at 7pm.
Everyone is welcome and light refreshments are provided.
Bookings can be made through the parish office on 9949 4455.
QR Codes
IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE ASSIST THE PARISH STAFF WITH RECORD KEEPING BY DOWNLOADING THE SERVICE NSW APP AND SIGNING IN TO MASS WITH IT. Thanks
The Service NSW app is recommended by NSW Health and it can be downloaded via the following link:-
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/being-covid-safe/check-in#download-the-service-nsw-app
or go to the App Store on your mobile phone.
The app is very easy to use and you only need to verify your information once, subsequent uses only require you to click one button.
The QR Code is in the church entrances. There will be several available for use to reduce crowding.
Tap 'n' Go
We have a Tap ‘n’ Go terminal at the back of each Church for donations to the Parish 2nd Collection
The amount is set at $10. Funds donated here go toward the main source of income (2nd Collection) for our Parish and are used for the day to day running of our Parish, including altar and church requisites, pastoral programs, repairs & maintenance, wages, insurance and utilities. It is also used to fund any shortfall in the Charitable Works Fund and the many, many other expenses incurred in keeping our Parish vibrant and functioning.
VIDEO - The Parish and Covid-19
Recently, we viewed a short video containing excerpts from our livestreamed Masses during the past few months and film clips from contemporary events during that period from Australia and overseas. Much positive feedback has been received. To view this video, please follow the links below:
Direct link to the Covid video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaSwQtu713k&t=7s
Link to the Parish YouTube channel where all the Masses (except the first few) and the Covid video sit:
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.
From St Augustine
St Augustine—
Let my soul rouse itself, Lord, from weariness, lean on Your creation, and hobble toward You Who made it all. For in You we are remade and find true strength.
Confessions 5, 1