Hope all’s well.
Fabulous weather this weekend and set to go on for another few days.
Look out for Monsignor’s Pentecost Reflection al fresco style. Plus, our sanctuary has been beautifully decorated for Pentecost. Check out terrific photos of it online.
Remember, if you can, join Archbishop Tartaglia this evening at 6.15pm for live streamed rosary from St Andrew’s Cathedral.
This Tuesday, the Bishops’ Conference’s working party will meet. They’re very much focussed on planning for the future reopening of our churches, and are wanting to make sure that our parishes are fully prepared for this.
The group is preparing training for Diocesan Coordinators so that training in safety / infection control precautions can be passed on to all parishes via parish coordinators.
It’s nice to see some bright signs regarding opening our church doors again when circumstances do permit.
As you can imagine, the new norm, for quite a period of time, will be a very different experience for us praying, celebrating the sacraments, being at Mass, as it will be within a whole setting of necessary restrictions and limitations.
And I’ll happily say this again, with us having been united in the 9@9 for the past week and a bit, there’s a great feeling of us journeying together into the 'new norm'.
We’re all in this together, we’re often told these days. On this great feast of Pentecost, we pray to Christ, who is calling his Church together in the Holy Spirit.
Together in the new norm, we will need the help of a considerable number of volunteers.
The church will need to be cleaned / thoroughly sanitised after each use, basically after every Mass we will need a team of volunteers to clean and wipe all surfaces.
Plus, we’ll be looking for help for people to become stewards for various roles. We’ll be appealing very soon for all this, so please do think about becoming a volunteer.
Remember, if you’ve got a picture of a flame or a dove in your window or a lighted candle today or this evening for Pentecost, why not take a photo and send it in and our online team will get it posted. Send to [email protected]
Another idea we’ve got that I’ll mention to you just now is compiling a video collage of pilgrimages. So, maybe start some searching now for any photos you might have on your PC or tucked away in a drawer of parish pilgrimages. More details soon.
Tomorrow is the feast of Mary Mother of the Church. Always celebrated first Monday after Pentecost.
I wish you a safe and happy Sunday.
Take care
Fr Mackle