College Chaplain 

Friends,

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a great blessing to come back to school for the last term. Though we must keep social distancing in the community, we still have many chances to keep up with our studies. In NSW all churches have been re-opened since October 18th, and all peoples, fully vaccinated or not, can freely come to the Church to pray and worship. Thanks be to God. 

We need God's blessing and graces. We pray that He will bring healing to each one of us. In the Gospel, Jesus performed a miracle to cure the sick or drive our devil. Before doing it, he often says, "Your sins are forgiven" and "Your faith has saved you."

The month of November is at the corner. Traditionally, the Church dedicates this month to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory - those who have gone into eternity. The Holy Church teaches us that a defiled soul cannot enter into heaven. Therefore, "it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."

We can do it better when we receive Plenary Indulgence and offer to the Lord for the sake of the salvation of all souls. Since last year the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary published a decree providing for the possibility of obtaining plenary indulgences in favour of the faithful departed throughout the entire month of November. Normally, indulgence is only limited to the first eight days of the month. This decree allows the faithful to gain plenary indulgences for the souls in purgatory by visiting a cemetery every day in November and praying for those who have died.

The Plenary Indulgence is applicable to the deceased by those who visit a cemetery or a church, and devoutly prays for the faithful departed, along with the recitation of the Our Father and the Creed, and the other requirements associated with a Plenary Indulgence. These conditions are Sacramental Confession, reception of Holy Communion and a prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions.

Many Religious Brothers and Sisters, teachers and staff have dedicated their lives to serving our Marian Catholic College and to share their faith with us. Let us remember them in our prayer. We can show our deep gratitude to them through our sacrifice and prayer, especially to attending the Holy Mass to pray for all souls in purgatory.

Let us also remember to pray for our friends and family members who have gone before us to the Lord, so that all of them will receive the Lord's pardon and mercy and join the heavenly banquet with all saints, whom we are going to celebrate on November 1st.

Please remember to pray for the repose of the soul of the late mother of Fr Grace, Mrs Lorraine Marie Grace, who peacefully returns to the good Lord, our Saviour and hers. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

MCC Chaplain

Fr Paul Lu