Saturday, 16th May 2020
Dear Parishioners,
RECOMMENCING PARISH MASSES
We recognise that there is a deep desire for everyone to receive communion and return to their regular prayer life including Mass. The new government regulations have opened the Churches however left us with limited options of gathering no more than 20 people.
We will be recommencing Masses in our parish according to the government restrictions of 20 people per gathering. To assist the community with this, we will increase the number of Masses available during the week and on the weekend. The faithful continue to be dispensed of their obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
Due to our large parish size (over 1350 attending on a regular weekend), 20 people per Mass for the next 4 weeks will only be a small number of parishioners that will be able to attend Mass. In light of this, if you have access to the online streaming of Mass, we ask that you consider continuing with this for the short-term until the restrictions are relaxed with larger numbers for gatherings. We know this is not ideal, however we are unable to have everyone at the Church for the current stage of restrictions.
We would like to give priority access to those who for the past 6 weeks (or so) have had no access to online Mass due to no internet or technology available. This is primarily our Seniors in the Parish.
We will open up a booking system to attend a Mass over the next 4 weeks. If you book to attend a Mass (either a weekday or weekend) it is most likely that you (and your family) will only be able to attend once in the next 4 week period due to our parish size. We hope you can understand that we will increase access to the Mass as much as our Parish demands, however the 20 people limit is quite small.
Our Weekday Masses are follows:
Monday – 9.00am
Tuesday – 9.00am and 5.30pm
Wednesday – 7.00am followed by Adoration and conclude with Benediction at 10.00am
(The current government restriction of no more than 20 people is to be followed at all times during Adoration).
Wednesday – 5.30pm
Thursday – 9.00am and 5.30pm
Friday – 9.00am and 5.30pm
Saturday – 9.00am
Weekend Mass times (regular):
Saturday – 6:30pm
Sunday – 8.00am, 9:30am
Sunday – Live streaming Mass: 10.00am (Parish Hall)
Sunday – 11.00am, and 6.00pm.
Our online streaming of Mass will continue every Sunday at 10.00am (Parish Hall) via this link www.shorturl.at/fnCU3.
Confession/Reconciliation: Saturday – 11.00am and 5.00pm
Please don’t attend a Mass you’re not booked in for. If you turn up, you will be asked to leave the grounds so that we don’t exceed the government restrictions. Any exceptions would violate the current government regulations.
The Parish is required to ensure that the name and contact details of every person who enters a church for any reason is recorded as per government directives. Churches must retain these records. No record is to be made of the reason why the person has attended the church. Please assist us in keeping these records as you attend the Church for any reason.
BOOKINGS TO ATTEND MASS
Bookings can be made by calling 0480 272 110. Email requests will not be honoured, only call the mobile number allocated for bookings. This number will be answered at reasonable hours during the day/evening.
AT MASS
There will only be one entry open for the Church – the side door nearest to the crucifix. Seating will be allocated to the front few pews for the ease the cleaning of the Church. The pews will be disinfected between each Mass.
CANCELLING A BOOKING
If you need to cancel a booking – please call the booking phone number, preferably with 24hrs notice so someone else can be arranged to take your place. No places will be given out on the spot at Mass. If you turn up without a booking, you will be in breach of the current government regulations. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home.
Stay connected with us at our parish from any of the following communication platforms:
- St Thomas More, Bateman Parish website – batemancatholic.org
- Join our Parish Facebook group (for the adult community): https://www.facebook.com/groups/2555892488023089/?ref=share
- Register at St. Thomas More Catholic Flocknote at: stthomasmorecatholic.flocknote.com
May the Risen Christ bless you all,
Parish Pastoral Council
St Thomas More Catholic Church, Bateman Parish
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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As “A House of Welcome to All and a Place of Service to All”, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Bateman Parish is ministering to people in desperate need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marginalised and vulnerable people living in our community are affected by the current COVID-19 crisis. Basic needs have now become a greater challenge for some, especially being able to put food on the table, particularly for those who have lost their income or are not eligible for Centrelink assistance. Their plight is further compounded by the closure of many charitable organisations.
Our Parish Vinnies Conference has continued to delivered food hampers to local families in need at this time, however the supplies have now run low. The St Thomas More Parish is assisting our local Vinnies by providing a food-drop centre near the main entrance of the Church. This food relief will provide support to an individual or family in the form of a hamper left at the door to keep them going for a little while. If you are in a position to help, please donate non-perishable food such as rice, pasta or canned food and drop them in the food bin near the Church entrance.
We thank you for working together to support our local community.
Parish Pastoral Council
St Thomas More Catholic Church, Bateman Parish