Sacred Heart Parish Westmead


More people able to attend Mass!!!

With the further lifting of COVID-19 restrictions it's possible for more people to attend Mass at any one time.

Social distancing restrictions are still in place. This means each person attending Mass must maintain a 1.5m distance from other parishioners. Members of the same household can sit together but must maintain 1.5m distance from others.

Because of the 4 square meter regulation, WE CAN STILL ONLY WELCOME 50 PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH at any one time, including adults & children. However, more people are allowed but they CAN NOT BE IN THE CHURCH.

Provisions are being made to accommodate extra people in the Parish Hall & outside on the veranda. The Parish Hall can only accommodate 25 people.

PARISHIONERS WILL NO LONGER NEED TO BOOK TO ATTEND MASS FROM 5 JULY.

The first 50 people will be able to get a seat in the church. All other people will have to be seated in the hall (up to 25 people) or be outside.

ALL people attending Mass, including all adults & children, MUST sanitise their hands & register their attendance, even if they at sitting in the hall or are outside.

Thanks for your cooperation & understanding at during these difficult times.

Coming to Mass @ Sacred Heart this weekend?

When you arrive, please sanitise your hands, register your name & contact number to indicate you are present. EVERY PERSON, adult & child, MUST BE REGISTERED. This is a legal requirement & is not optional.

Please ONLY SIT IN MARKED PLACES & observe social distancing regulations.

Members of the same household can sit together but please keep every second pew vacant. Members of the same family but who do not live in the same house together must sit separately.

Only the 50 parishioners can be seated in the church. Others must sit in the hall (up to 25 people) or outside the church. 
Thanks for your cooperation & understanding at during these difficult times.



Returning to Mass
As people start to return to public celebrations of Mass it is important that
  • if you are unwell in any way, do not attend - respect your own health & the health of those around you
  • if you have a compromised immunity reconsider the need to attend public Masses
  • observe social distancing regulations - follow the signs in the church indicating where you can & cannot sit
  • do not touch statues - this spreads germs & bacteria
  • use the hand sanitiser provided, cough into your elbow or a tissue
  • consider volunteering to help clean the church after Mass - the must be cleaned after every celebration, if we don't get volunteers & are unable to clean the church as is required then we will have to shut our doors again
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

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. https://www.facebook.com/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