From the Parish House

Great expectations are being placed on the Premier’s Sunday announcement in relation to easing of restrictions for Melbournians in the coming days and weeks.   In our parishes we are preparing for re-opening our Churches.  Many people have pointed out the current anomalies that seem to exist with the proposed opening of cafés, pubs and restaurants to patrons both inside and outside these venues, while Church members are left standing outside their Churches.  It is hoped that with some better understanding, on the part of the government, of how Churches can and do operate, and with common sense prevailing that we might be able to do more than simply gather outside our buildings to celebrate Eucharist.  Archbishop Comensoli has articulated this well in his article published in the Herald Sun this week.

At the moment the plan for Camberwell, Balwyn, Deepdene and Surrey Hills Wattle Park is to recommence celebration of Sunday Mass the weekend following the announcement of easing of restrictions.  If restrictions are lifted this Sunday, 24 October we will commence Masses on the weekend of 31 October and 1 November.  If the date of 1 November remains as the date that restrictions will be eased, then we will commence Sunday Mass on the weekend of 7 and 8 November.  Arrangements for weekday Masses will follow.  In the meantime, we will be offering a Wednesday morning Mass at 9.30 am via ZOOM.

We will, as we did after the lockdown, set up a system where parishioners will be able to make an online booking for Sunday Mass.  And we will ensure that we open according to our four C’s: Covid Safe, Child Safe, Community Safe and Cyber Safe.

• As we prepare to reopen our Churches we ask all our parishioners to join us in maintaining safe practices in relation to COVID.
• We ask that if you are involved in any ministries that you ensure that your Working with Children’s Card or Police Record Check is up to date.
• We invite everyone to continue to look out for their neighbours and those who might need assistance and please contact the Parish Office if there is any way in which the parish can assist.
• We ask that you ensure that your contact details are up to date with the Parish Office so that we can keep your data safe and our records current. You can visit our website to update your information.

Let’s hope that we can soon gather to celebrate Eucharist, the source and summit of our lives, in our communities.