The Catholic Weekly 17 May 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 17, May, 2020 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 “If infection rates continue to be low, the Government may in due course roll out steps two and three of the easing of restrictions,” the archbishop wrote in the letter dated 13 May. “Larger celebration will gradually be allowed. “However this will de- pend upon us all exercising responsibility in keeping in- fection rates low and demon- strating that we are trustwor- thy in these matters. “We pray for and look for- ward to the day when our parishes can gather again as normal.” In the lead-up to Friday par- ish priests across Sydney were preparing in a variety of ways to welcome people back to churches while adhering to the new restrictions. At St Mary’s Cathedral the dean Father Don Richardson said he was “excited” to be able to open to the faithful again. “It’s great news that we can be open, that people can come in and pray before the Blessed Sacrament, go to confession and some will at least be able to attendMass.” A temporary schedule was released requiring people to pre-book their places for Ca- thedral Mass by telephone and anyone entering the premises to leave their name and contact details for COVID-safety pur- poses. On Sundays six Masses will be celebrated with the 10.30am Sung Mass and the 5pm ves- pers and benediction also lives- treamed. In the archdiocese of Sydney, the archbishop’s dis- pensation from the usual obli- gation to attend Sunday Mass still applies. In other parts of the coun- Slowly and in limited numbers, faithful will attendMass again Re-opening of churches starts I n this edition News Streaming Archbishop’s homily World Opinion, comment 1-7 8-9 14-16 11, 17-19 20-21 4 BREAK DOESN’T DETER BRADLEY EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 David Ryan (02) 9390 5408 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Paul Desmond (02) 9390 5406 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5133. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or [email protected] myWill SUPPORTINGTHE MINISTRIES OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY Leaving a gift in a Call 02 9649 6423 or visit www.catholiccemeteries.com.au Consecrated lawns and chapels Sydney’s only Catholic crematorium Monthly mass for the Repose of Souls Funeral directors available for a Catholic service Bereavement pastoral care Serving the Catholic community for over 150 years • Churches may open for private prayer and confessions, for a maximum of 10 people in the church • Maximum of 10 for gatherings and con- gregations for Masses, weddings, baptisms, Eucharistic adoration, Rosary and Bible study or prayer groups • Up to 20 mourners indoors or 30 mourners outdoors are permitted for funerals, in addition to celebrant and undertakers • Contact details of the attendees, even for private prayer, must be recorded and distancing and hygiene directions observed • At-risk parishioners are encouraged not to attend (eg. the very elderly, anyone with symp- toms, immune or respiratory issues) • Live-streaming of liturgies should continue where convenient • Special dispensation from Sunday Mass attendance still applies Reopening of Churches try bishops set out similar guidelines in line with their civic leaders who also lifted the numbers of people who can attend weddings and fu- nerals, and allowed the option of Masses in churches with a maximum of 10 worshippers, except for Western Australia whichwill allow amaximumof 20 to attend an indoor religious gathering. “Having our churches open is essential and whilst there will still be restrictions on the number of people who can gather it will be a great relief for Catholics to be able to visit and pray in their churches again,” the archbishop told The Catho- lic Weekly . “We also hope that it won’t be too long before we can celebrateMasses with larg- er congregations.” Then: Fr Greg Morgan shuts church doors on 23 March. Now: he re-opens them on 15 May. PHOTO:A FOK NEWS