Year in Review 2020 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 37 24 May Feast of Mary Help of Christians Australian Catholic Bishops entrusted Australia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary under the title Our Lady Help of Christians, seeking her intercession for the safety of all our people especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic. 14 May “Even when our doors are closed, our hearts are still open. The churches may not yet be fully open, but the heart of the Church, which is the heart of Christ, is wide open.” Australian Catholic Bishops Open letter of encouragement to the Catholic People of Australia 1 May Feast of St Joseph the Worker Pastoral Message “This major shock to our community, and our economy, could provide an opportunity to reset our thinking about how we support the poorest, most marginalised, and most vulnerable members of our community.” In a climate of fear, there is a tendency to narrow our circle. God calls us to a different way: working together, needing each other, being the body of Christ. May St Joseph, model of integrity and solidarity, inspire us to serve and to care for all.” Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen ACBC Office for Social Justice Mass on Holy Thursday live-streamed from St Kilian’s. 1 June Restrictions eased. Liturgies, prayer gatherings and weddings up to 20 people, funerals up to 50 people , social distancing at least 1.5m and sign-in for contact tracing required. Communion on the hand only No exchange of the sign of peace. No holy water stoups No hymn books 28 September “In the most simple of measures, the current restrictions in regional Victoria literally fail the ‘pub test’: if people of faith can gather in a restaurant or bar catering for a particular number of patrons (and remove their face covering), they ought to be able to put on their mask, cross the road and worship in their faith community with the same numbers, provided equivalent COVID- safe practices are in place.” Victorian Bishops Open letter to Premier Daniel Andrews 6 December The Victorian Premier announced a major easing of restrictions. For Churches: liturgies of any kind, private prayer, meetings and other gatherings are permitted in churches, church halls and other parish facilities with social distancing of 1 person per 4 square metres if there is no contact recording, and 1 person per 2 square metres if there is contact recording. Face coverings must be carried, minister to use hand sanitiser before celebrating communion. Non-liturgical gatherings outdoors to be limited to 100 people. After the Easter Vigil Mass live-streamed from St Kilian’s IDENTITY & COMMUNITY
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