The impact of the onset of the Coronvirus has been sudden and overwhelming. The first of the changes on 4th March 2020 affected how we receive the Eucharist, how we offer the Sign of Peace and the removal of the Holy Water. This week on the 16th March we were advised to cease any gathering for the Eucharist until 1 April. Our Archbishop issued a Pastoral Letter explaining the causes and the changes, and encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast and not be daunted.
“The Mass is at the heart of our lives as Catholics: it is our way of gathering as a community of faith to draw strength from each other; it is our way of listening to the Word of God in faith; it is our way of offering our lives, our needs, our hopes and our loved ones to God; it is our way of allowing the Lord to unite us to himself in Holy Communion and for us to be deprived of the Mass is a great sacrifice and a great suffering.
“But the Lord himself calls us to this – because we are our brother’s keeper,” he explained.
These changes are unprecedented and all Catholics should be united in mutual support. There will be financial and social disruptions from this epidemic, and we should be prepared to offer practical assistance.
Children’s Liturgy – Sunday 16th September2018
In their final liturgy before the end of term three, the children personalised ‘hands’ with their names and their response to the day’s gospel.
Perhaps the best part was seeing Rita carrying the cross to mass and back home on Sunday.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge to head Australian Catholics
Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane was elected to head the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference effective 10May 2018.
He succeeds Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne.
With the incoming Vice President, Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, he has been appointed for a two year term
Read further at ACBC Media Blog
An Australian Young Woman Speaks in Rome
Angela Markus was selected to be the Australian Catholic Bishops’delegate to the pre-synod meeting of youth in Rome in March.
Her presentation to the meeting is completely inspirational. It is highly recommended.
Read it the SCRIPT, or watch the PRESENTATION.
Four Days of Fasting and Reparation
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) has called on the Catholic Church in Australia for four days of fasting and reparation from Ash Wednesday (14- 17 February 2018)
“With the Royal Commission concluded, our country and our Church enter into a new moment. We are calling upon the Catholic community in Australia to embrace this new moment by beginning the penitential season of Lent with four days of fasting and reparation. These are spiritual practices which express our desire for God’s reconciling and healing grace.
Through fasting, we stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors of abuse whose much deeper hunger is for healing and peace in their lives. Through reparation, we make amends for the sin of those in the Church who abused children or failed to listen and act when they should have.
The days of fasting and reparation in sorrow for child sexual abuse and for the healing of victims and survivors will be marked by prayer – in our homes and in our Catholic communities.
Please take to heart the importance of these days in preparing the Church to respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission and to make the journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter. We cannot undo the past. With God’s help, we can make the future better.
A number of liturgical and prayer resources have been developed for use in parish and other public settings, as well as a prayer for use in the home.
The resources can be downloaded HERE “
Parishioners are asked to respond to this call in their homes and their families. An Evening Prayer service will be held in the church Friday 16 February from 6.30pm
2017-2018 Annual General Meeting
The Parish AGM, held over from November 2017, will be held in the Parish Centre after Sunday Mass, 4th February 2018.
The AGM is an opportunity for the St Aloysius community to reflect on the events of the past year ask questions to clarify any matters.
It is also a time to raise issues of concern which can be considered by the parish assembled.
This post will be amended if and as any reports are received so that they can be read before the meeting.
Australia Day 2018
Many parishioners came to Australia Day mass last Friday, 26th January 2018, and stayed for a magnificent morning tea spread out in the Parish Centre.
It was a day to celebrate, and thank God for the peace and stability of our beautiful nation.
Roma shows the flag. 
Enjoying morning tea afterwards.
An added delight was the fact that 26th January is also Republic Day for the Indian nation, marking the adoption of the constitution replacing colonial status.
Report on 2017 meeting of Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
All Australian Catholic Bishops met for the 2017 Plenary Meeting in Sydney. The Report of the Meeting can be found at ACBC site and is attached here. Some points to be noted are
- Establishment of the Australian Synod 2020 Facilitation Panel
- 2018 – Year of Youth. Bishops Synod in Rome October 2018 on Youth.
- Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) will be held in Perth (Dec 2019)
- Low key response to the Royal Commission on Institutional Response to Child Abuse.