The Catholic Weekly 26 July 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 26, July, 2020 FROM PAGE 1 In a notice on social media Fr Sarkis said the church had un- dergone cleaning andwould re- main closed until further notice as a precaution. “These uncertain times have been very challenging for all of us,” he said. “From the moment we had to close our churches we have all felt the impact of this pan- demic. “However, we firmly be- lieve that through the power of theHoly Spirit, we have andwill always receive the power to get through these challenges. “We sincerely request your cooperation and understand- ing, as we try to protect all in our community, especially the elderly and the vulnerable, and we ask for your ongoing prayers during these difficult times.” Meanwhile Premier Gladys Berejiklian introduced a cap of 100 worshippers in churches under tightened restrictions from this weekend and would not rule out the possibility of further restrictions. From midnight on Friday 24 July funerals would be limited to 100 people and weddings to 150 subject to the four square metre rule. State health minister Brad Hazzard said the changes re- lated to “high risk settings for transmission of the virus”. Positive test closes Our Lady of Lebanon I n this edition News Streaming Archbishop’s homily World Opinion, comment 1-7 8-9 14-16 11,17-19 20-21 24 ARTIST PURSUES A LIFETIME DREAM 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 5143. 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 Helping build a brighter future for children and families in crisis. Dunlea Centre 35A Waratah Road Engadine NSW 2233 Phone 02 8508 3900 AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINAL BOYS' TOWN A place for change... www.dunleacentre.org.au Funerals Conducted With Dignity Australian Family Owned Servicing all religious traditions. T. (02) 9673 6880 - All Suburbs E: [email protected] 52A King Street, St Marys NSW 2760 Better jail palliative care call NEW RESEARCH by the Uni- versity of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital in Mel- bourne has identified oppor- tunities to improve palliative care for people in prison who have terminal illnesses. The research by Dr Stacey Panozzo, Professor Jennifer Philip and Dr Anna Collins, published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Manage- ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues ment, revealed opportunities identified by health profes- sionals to improve the mod- els of care for prisoners dying with progressive and life-lim- iting illnesses. They included doctors, nurses and allied health staff working in public hospitals across a range of disciplines who reported their experienc- es of providing care for dying prisoners. Health professionals de- scribed the obstacles faced by people in prison across a range of areas of care, and for themselves as they attempted to provide optimal end-of-life care for prisoners. A lack of access to full pain relief options and of guide- lines around the removal of shackles or securing compas- sionate early release, were among the sources of frustra- tion reported. “Prisoners must at times forgo their minimum-security incarceration and be trans- ferred to a maximum-secu- rity facility in order to access specialist hospital care,” they added. The researchers said that an increasing and ageing prisoner population meant that more people are likely to die while in custody, with approximately 38 per cent spending their final weeks or months in a guarded public hospital ward. Health workers test parishioners of Our Lady of Lebanon co-cathedral in the Harris Park church’s car- park last Tuesday. PHOTO: GIOVANNI PORTELLI