The Catholic Weekly 21 June 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 5 21, June, 2020 In brief St Kevin’s principal job open ST KEVIN’S College Toorak is advertising for a new headmaster in 2021 after former Headmaster Stephen Russel resigned in February in the face of media controversy sur- rounding handling of sex- ual misconduct by a non- staff athletics coach. At least six staff mem- bers stood aside or left the school after Mr Russel’s resignation. According to the ad- vertorial published by Edmund Rice Education Australia and which ap- peared in national Catho- lic media, applicants will be subject to a strict screening process. The affair won nation- al coverage in February when it was revealed the volunteer staff member had made sexually explic- it advances to students at the prestigious school. LIMITS ON churches in NSW will be further eased from July with the numbers of people al- lowed in indoor venues to be determined by the ‘one per- son per 4 square metre’ rule, and providing that the activity is seated. It means that the number of people attending NSW church- es couldexceed thecurrent lim- it of 50 and extend to as many as possible depending on the size of the church and ability to maintain safe social distancing to prevent the spread of COV- ID-19 infection. A spokesperson for the Pre- mier confirmed to The Catho- lic Weekly that the announced changes apply to places of wor- ship. “People attending a reli- gious service at aplaceof public worship will still be required to provide their name and contact details when they enter so that they can be used for contact tracing,” he said. Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP welcomed the further eas- ing of restrictions, saying it was fitting that the announcement that will seemore people return to the Eucharist was made on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. “It has beenwonderful to see the visible joy of parishioners as they have been returning to Mass in greater numbers over the last couple of weeks, and to hear how much they have missed being able to be in churches,” Archbishop Fisher said. “I know the priests of Sydney are looking forward to being able to welcome more of the faithful back fromnextmonth.” NSW Premier Gladys Bere- jiklian announced the latest easing of restrictions in the state on 14 June, adding that From July, the number of those allowed in churches will be determined by the ‘one person per 4 square metre’ rule. PHOTO:ALPHONSUS FOK the 20-person restriction on funerals would be immediately replaced with the 4 four square metres social distancing guide- line on compassionate grounds. An exception for weddings is that a limit of 20 remains if there is going to be a dancefloor. All other restrictions includ- ing 20 guests inside the home and 20 for outside gatherings (with 50 allowed for outdoor fu- nerals) remain the same. Archdiocesan Vicar General Father Gerald Gleeson said he was “very pleased with the Gov- ernment decision”, especially since many churches are large buildings which can easily and safely accommodate more than 50 people. “Since many Catholics like sitting at the back of the church, spreading out in line with the 4sqm rule may help to bring a lot people closer to the altar,” he added. The CEO of Catholic Cem- eteries and Crematoria, Peter O’Meara, welcomed the easing on restrictions on funerals, even though as the four square metre rule is still applicable to funer- als, there will been no change to the numbers the provider can accommodate in its chapels and condolence lounges since 1 June. “Family members have had a difficult time over the last few months with only immediate family being able to farewell loved ones,”Mr O’Meara said. “The ability of grieving family members, relatives and friends to be able to attend a funeral in person helps enormously with the grieving process.” The largest Catholic chapel at Rookwood, Mary, Mother of Mercy chapel, can normally seat 160 and is currently only available to 45 funeral attend- ees. Livestreaming of funerals has been provided for those who cannot attend. The Premier said NSW was able to further ease restrictions due to the limited community transmission of COVID-19. Archbishop Anthony Fish- er OP’s dispensation from the obligation of attending Sun- day Mass is being maintained throughout the pandemic. He has asked people who are unwell to stay away and those with compromised im- mune or respiratory systems or aged over 70 to be extra cau- tious. Catholics not attending Mass are asked to keep Sun- day holy with activities such as prayer, scripture reading and watching a livestreamed or re- cordedMass online. ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Serving the Sydney community since 1892 Our experienced Funeral Directors are committed to providing a personalised and meaningful service for your loved one. Prepaid funerals available. Newtown | Chatswood | Parramatta | Miranda 9519 5344 | wnbull.com.au CATHOLICS IN the Canber- ra-Goulburn Archdiocese mobilised rapidly to lobby an ultimately successful petition to the ACT Government to ease restrictions on Mass at- tendance. As a result, the Canber- ra-Goulburn Archdiocese will be able to celebrate Mass with up to 100 congregants as of this weekend. The ACT Government agreed to the arguments of the 1300-strong petition, which ¾ ¾ David Ryan ACT Mass limit rises was attained within little over a week, from the local Catho- lic community. Previous re- strictions had been relaxed to allow Mass attendance by a maximum of 50 participants. Canberra-Goulburn Vic- ar-general Fr Tony Percy praised Catholics for rallying to lobby the ACT Government to boost Mass numbers. “To receive more than 1300 signatures in just over a week is a tremendous response and shows the Church is alive and kicking,” he said. “The biggest petition they have ever had in the ACT received 5000 sig- natories and an average size petition has 500, so we did a super job. “It shows howmuchCatho- lics value what we’ve got - we value our faith.” “I am thrilled that we are moving forward and that we can come together to cele- brate Mass with congrega- tions of 100,” Fr Percy said. Fr Percy also thanked Chief Minister Andrew Barr for rec- ognising the need for Catho- lics to be allowed to pray and come together for Mass. Limits steadily loosen Restrictions of Mass participant numbers in NSW are being eased It has been wonderful to see the visible joy of parishion- ers as they have been returning toMass in greater numbers over the last couple of weeks.” ArchbishopAnthony Fisher OP NEWS