36 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2020 Global Pandemic 11 April “As we worry about how the pandemic might progress, we are feeling vulnerable and anxious, uncertain about what the coming months will hold for us. Yet this is also a time of hope. I have been heartened and encouraged by the creative and generous ways that people are finding to maintain social connection, even if we are physically distant. We are more aware of our solidarity with one another and the importance of our community structures”. Bishop Shane Mackinlay Easter Message 27 February Prime Minister, Scott Morrison declared a pandemic. 22 March Laetare Sunday First Mass live-streamed from St Kilian’s. 24 March (midnight) Victorian government restricts numbers at weddings to the couple, a celebrant and two witnesses. Funerals restricted to no more than ten people. 18 March “The Bishops of the Province of Victoria have given this prayerful and considered reflection, and have determined the following actions: Immediate suspension of public liturgies, celebration of the Mass, until further notice. All other gatherings are suspended. “In light of this, all Catholics in Victoria are dispensed from their Sunday obligation until further notice (canon 1248). “This is very distressing news to share with you, and will be a dramatic change in the faith life of our communities,” Bishop Mackinlay said. “We should expect that it will continue for some time into the future.” 19 March “Following the Victorian Bishops’ decision to cancel the public celebrations of the Church’s liturgies in light of COVID19 pandemic, we would like to offer you some suggestions on how to foster your prayer life in these unprecedented times: • personal prayer and family prayer; • reading and reflecting on the Scriptures, especially the readings of the day; • reciting the Holy Rosary; • tuning in and participating actively in the live-streamed Masses and making an act of spiritual communion.” The Global Coronavirus Pandemic changed the way we think forever. It was a revelation, hard evidence of what we already knew – that even a virus that ‘doesn’t discriminate’ hurts the poor, vulnerable and elderly the most; that social determinants of health are real; that our economic structures aren’t fair on everyone; that we really are connected and inter-connected. The world really is small, and we really are ‘all in this together’. We learned, perhaps for the first time, that we are capable of radical change and adaptation. We learned that in a crisis, we focus on what matters; many Australians turned to prayer for the first time in years; and remarkable acts of solidarity at all levels of society and stories of kindness have given us a glimpse of the world we could become. 2 April “We recognise that these are extraordinary times and people are experiencing high levels of confusion and disruption, with many having lost their employment or receiving diminished income due to the coronavirus crisis.” “The Catholic way is always to seek the common good and our community knows that, when times are tough, we support one another and certainly never penalise anyone who finds their finances have tightened.” Bishop Shane Mackinlay reaffirming no child will leave Catholic schools due to financial hardship 12 April Easter Sunday “As Christians, a fundamental part of our response will be heeding Pope Francis’ advice on the World Day of Peace to “change the way we think and see things, and to become more open to encountering others and accepting the gift of creation, which reflects the beauty and wisdom of its Creator.” Bishop Shane Mackinlay Easter Vigil Mass IDENTITY & COMMUNITY
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