Sacred Heart Parish Westmead


THE AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE LAST WEEK AGREED TO DEDICATE AUSTRALIA TO THE CARE OF MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS DURING PANDEMIC.
Mary, Help of Christians has been the official patroness of Australia since 1844. Her feast day is celebrated on 24 May, which this year coincides with the Feast of the Ascension and therefore has been transferred to 25 May.
The bishops composed this special prayer for all Australians to pray at this time: https://catholic.org.au/entrustment 
Australian Bishops write letter of encouragement 
https://www.catholic.org.au/acbc-media/media-centre/media-releases-new/2266-word-of-encouragement-to-the-catholic-people-of-australia/file?fbclid=IwAR2v3ONVisIcrMnZ_hoxOre_gM8xA4fpK5bDFdl4nayFUWGr74EbCPEmuEM

Limited church reopening
Federal & State governments now allow places of worship to be open for up to 10 people at a time. 
Sacred Heart will be open for private prayer as of Mon, 18 May: Mon-Sat, 8:30-9:30am & Sun, 8-10am with Adoration. 
People entering the church MUST provide their contact details, sanitise their hands & practice social distancing. 
To maximise people's safety, please do not touch statues. 
Social distancing must be observed at all times.
If you are unwell, have a cough, a temperature or a sore throat do not enter the church. 
It is recommended that you have yourself tested. 

The church will only be able to remain open if all observe these regulations.

URGENT NEED FOR VOLUNTEER CHURCH CLEANERS
In order to keep the church open, it must be cleaned daily. Can you help? Please contact the Parish Office or Fr Walter. 
Parish now on Facebook!
Stay in touch with the latest in the parish by joining us on Facebook: Sacred Heart Westmead. 
Spiritual nourishment during the shut-down
The Diocese lists a number of different resources and places to assist people nourish their faith during the pandemic. Please visit: https://www.parracatholic.org/covid19/ 
Socially distant,
Spiritually near!
Mass continues to be offered in our parish church for parishioners and for an end to the present pandemic. Due to regulations on places of worship, these Masses are not open to the public. 

See 7 Steps for Spiritual Closeness under Announcements for some suggestions on how to spiritually remain close during this time of social distancing. 

Regularly pray Pope Francis’s prayer to Mary during coronavirus pandemic found under Announcements.
Live streamed Masses from
St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta
https://www.facebook.com/St-Patricks-Cathedral-Parramatta-1590485624520954/
Activities for Kids
Some wonderful activities for kids and the whole family at Living Maronite https://www.facebook.com/pg/livingmaronite/photos/?ref=page_internal 
Particularly love the idea of painting an Holy Week or Easter window! https://www.facebook.com/livingmaronite/photos/a.971828599617733/1935378253262758/?type=3&theater 
View Bishop Vincent's 
Pastoral Message to the Diocese.
COVID-19 Impact on Liturgical Celebrations at Sacred Heart
Please see details about parish celebrations under Announcements. 

The Federal Government ordered all places of worship, including churches, closed from 12 noon, Monday, 23 March. How long the closure will be in place is unclear at this point in time. 
As a result of this order ALL CHURCH SERVICES ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 

 Bishop Vincent, in accord with Canon 1248 §2 & Catechism §2181, dispenses Latin Catholics within the Diocese from their Sunday Mass obligation until further notice.

 There will be no public Holy Week or Easter liturgies celebrated in the parish. The Congregation for Divine Worship & the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued a specific decree to this effect & is binding on all Latin Churches throughout the world. A copy of the decree can be found in Announcements. 

Each Sunday a non-public Mass will be offered in the parish for parishioners and for an end to the present pandemic. 
Praying at home during
the COVID-19 shutdown 
See Announcements for link to a new FREE prayer resource for families & those isolated at home. 
Also, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference have made resources available at https://www.catholic.org.au/prayathome 
The Diocese also offers some suggestions on its Update page https://parracatholic.org/covid19/ (scroll to the bottom of the page). 

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference: 
Praying at Home resources 

The bishops have prepared a list of special resources for this time: https://www.catholic.org.au/prayathome 
Supporting your parish 
during the COVID-19 shutdown
Many families & businesses also are being financially effected by the COVID-19 shutdown. So too is our parish. 

During the shutdown, the Parish's income will be dramatically reduced. The Parish is taking significant steps to reduce its costs; the Parish Office, for example, will be open less hours. 

ALL parishioners are being asked to consider supporting their Parish at this difficult time.

Please consider continuing to contribute to the First & Second Collections electronically if you are in a financial position to do so. 

Parishioners also can make a financial contribution by joining the Parish's Planned Giving Programme (see Parish Registration Form under the Parish Forms tab) or by making a donation via the Make a Payment tab under Quick Links on this page. 

Thanks for your ongoing support of your parish. 


Parish's 2020 Sacramental Programme  
Due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation it has been necessary to postpone the Parish's sacramental programme for this year. 
Once things become clearer new dates will be advertised.  
You will appreciate that the safety of our children & all parishioners is our highest priority.  We thank you for your understanding at this difficult time.


Quick Links
† Mass Times
† Parish Details
† Parish Forms
† Make A Payment
Announcements
†7 steps for spiritual closeness
†Streaming of Masses & Liturgy of the Word
†Pope Francis’s prayer to Mary during coronavirus pandemic
†New free family & home prayer resources
†COVID-19 & Liturgical Celebrations
View All Announcements