Message on the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Yr B)
Friday 30th July 2021
My dear people,
As you are aware, we are again able to gather for the celebration of Mass albeit with a maximum number of 100 people present.
Please visit our website https://www.stcatherinecarolinesprings.org.au/ to book your seat to attend the weekend Masses. Since only 100 people can attend Mass, we will continue using the online booking system for the Vigil (Saturday evening) and Sunday Masses. I urge you to please ensure that you book before attending as we will not be able to allow anyone else in after the limit has been reached. Please note that the QR Code will also need to be scanned when you arrive.
Those without internet/computer access or who find the online booking system too complex can call the office on 8361 9822 to book a seat.
Bookings for the two Vigil Masses on Saturday 31st July and the three Sunday Masses on 1st August are now open and will close two hours prior to the start of Mass. Given the limited numbers allowed, could I please ask you to book once in 2 weeks to allow as many people the opportunity to attend Mass? Do keep an eye on the bookings and if there are seats available 3 hours before Mass starts, please feel free to book yourself in even if you had attended Mass the week before. We would like to encourage as many people as possible to attend Mass within the limit and would not like any seats to be unfilled.
Only the 9:00am Mass on Sunday will be live streamed. I appeal to all of you, if you have booked and you later find out that you are unable to come for Mass, please be considerate and cancel your booking so that others can have the opportunity to attend Mass in person.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible this weekend. May I remind you to please arrive at least half an hour before Mass starts in order to scan the QR code and check your names off the list. I thank you for your continued patience as we work through the COVID-Safe restrictions that have been imposed.
These constant lockdowns have caused quite a bit of disruption with the way we are able to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation in the parish. Confirmations for Christ the Priest Primary School will now be held on the 14th August while Confirmations for St George Preca Catholic Primary School will now be held on the 4th and 5th October. First Holy Communions for SGP have also been postponed to the 10th October. Let us keep these candidates and their families in our prayers as they deal with these constant changes.
Our Stewardship/Thanksgiving Campaign, which occurs every three years, was due to be conducted last year. With COVID, this did not happen and was postponed to this year. I would like to let you know that we will be launching the campaign in August this year. The Stewardship Key Stakeholders have been selected and will be meeting with Parish First, the organisation assisting us, on 19th August.
We have also obtained a Tap & Go device which is on the table next to the doors in the gathering space. The monies given through this device will be part of the first collection which will be for the needs of the priests of the parish as well as sick and retired priests of the archdiocese. As you can appreciate, being now blessed with an assistant priest, the needs of the presbytery have doubled. This includes food, drinks, car expenses, and stipend. I appeal to your generosity for Fr Simeon and me and let me assure you that we are very grateful indeed for your donations.
We continue turning to our patron saint and we ask for her intercession.
St Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Fr Richard Rosse PP