Please find the St Brigid's Bulletin Link HERE

Attending Mass

Last Friday saw Years 4, 5 and 6 join Fr Vic and parishioners in celebrating Mass together once again. Students practiced hygiene and social distancing measures in order to be part of the congregation and were happy to be back in St Brigid's Church. In the weeks ahead, St Joseph's students will begin to participate in Mass through Readings and receiving of the Eucharist (for those who have received First Communion). Further information on Sacramental Programs will be shared with families as it comes to hand.

Reasons To Start Visiting Church Again - as taken from The Catholic Weekly Publication

1. Reconnect with God

Fr. Don Richardson of St. Mary’s Cathedral celebrated the first public Mass in more than 6 weeks at 7am on Friday 15 May. He told the 10 people gathered there, “God is everywhere, but He is in Churches in a special way.” Visiting and sitting in adoration at church allows you to connect with God in a way that has been missing from our lives for more than two months.

2. Reconnect socially

Just as we have been away from God’s house for two months, we have been away from our community too. Many of us have been lucky enough to be able to stay in touch through technology, but there is nothing quite like seeing the special people in your life in person.

3. Reconnect as a family

What a wonderful reason to get out of the house as a family. Take a trip together to your church and sit together in prayer. Use it as an opportunity for a family outing, stopping in on your way to get a coffee or a meal.

4. Iron sharpens iron

We’ve all been doing our best under the circumstances, but we know our faith thrives when we can gather together. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” By visiting church, seeing priests, friends and other parishioners, we can create sparks like iron on iron, reigniting and invigorating our faith.

5. It’s a chance to feel reverence

Life is chaotic enough under normal circumstances, but in a time of uncertainty and constant change we could all benefit from some peace, quiet and reverence. When we attend a church, we’re transported to a place of worship and peace, a place of calm and a place of joy.

WHEN WE ATTEND A CHURCH, WE’RE TRANSPORTED TO A PLACE OF WORSHIP AND PEACE, A PLACE OF CALM AND A PLACE OF JOY.

6. Find deeper meaning

Church is where we find the deeper meaning in our life. We’ve been away for so long, in a time when all has felt hopeless, that we all need reminding. Maybe the sacraments aren’t available, but quiet prayer and conversation with God is exactly what we need.

7. Church is where you’ll find priests

Thank God for priests! Where would we be without them and without their guidance, hope and optimism? For many, listening to a daily or weekly homily via a life stream service has been the only connection they’ve had to their parish priest. A trip to church, even without Mass, is an opportunity to run into your parish priest and speak with them, learn from them, and be encouraged by their strong faith and positivity.

8. A return to normalcy

Lucky is he who hasn’t had his life turned upside down during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re all living through an unprecedented disruption to our lives. Returning to church for some time of quiet prayer marks the beginning of the long road back to ‘normal’ life.

9. To teach your kids

Two months is a long time for a child, and it’s easy for them to lose sight of why our faith is important. Taking them to Church teaches them that this isn’t just something we do on Sunday’s. Taking them to Church for some quiet prayer can help them understand the wonderful nature of our Catholic faith.

10. Because you can

There are many people around the world today (and many people throughout history) who live in circumstances preventing them from visiting church. Though they would love nothing more than to go back to church, they can’t. In NSW, we’re lucky enough to be able to start the reopening process. We can visit Church again, and if none of the other reasons on this list have convinced you to go then think of this, we can go for those who can’t.

PRAY FOR THE CHURCH AND THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY. GO FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T.

God bless,

Mrs Wendy Rheinberger, REC

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