Home

The plumbing works in the Church are now finished.

The taps and toilets are all working. 

Thank you everyone for your patience during this rather long drawn out process

Normal Masses Have Returned

We are taking Bookings for Weekend Masses

Dear Kambah Parishioners,

Great news normal Masses have returned.

9:30am Monday Liturgy of the Word

6:00pm Tuesday Mass

9:30am Wednesday Mass

9:30am Thursday Mass

9:30am Friday Mass

6:00pm Saturday   Mass

8:30am Sunday Mass

10:00am Sunday Mass

For the time being we will be taking bookings for weekend Masses.  

This can be done by leaving your details by Friday morning.

Date  Mass Time  Name  (#) Attending  Contact Number

Phone 6231 9219 Please leave a message if unattended

Email Kambah@cg.org.au. Please put your details into the subject line of your email.

Sign Up Sheets These will be in the foyer on Mondays for the upcoming weekend 

If you do not book you can arrive at Mass on the day, however please be aware if we have 100 persons in the Church you will not be allowed to enter.  This is an ACT Government regulation that we must follow.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Elizabeth in the office.

I hope that you stay, Safe, Well, Warm and Connected.

God Bless

Here at St Thomas the Apostle the safety of all our Parishioners is paramount.

Please read and following the following protocols for each mass.

1. STAY at home and please DO NOT attend Mass if you are unwell or have any symptoms. 
(fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath) 

2. NOT exceed the maximum number of permitted persons in the Church at any time. 
(Due to the size of the St Thomas the Apostle Church this is a maximum of 100 persons.)

3. ENSURE physical distancing of 1.5 metres at all times. 
(Immediate families members from same household excepted.) 

4. MAINTAIN good hand washing and cough/sneeze hygiene. 
(Please wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before entering and upon leaving the premises.) 
 
5. ENSURE good cleaning practices. 
(Use antibacterial wipes provided to wipe all contact surfaces in you use the Church for private prayer.)
(The Church will be cleaned before and after masses.)

6. ENSURE Good record keeping. 
(Please fill in register with name, contact number, time of arrival & departure,  

Or place details card into boxes provided.) 
(During weekend services there may be someone to fill these details in for you.) 
(Please DO NOT enter the building until your details are recorded.) 

7. RECOMMEND that all Parishioners download the COVIDSafe app to assist with contact tracing. 

8. CARE these protocols are for the safety of everyone. 

Fr Peter's cg email address has been hacked.
If you wish to contact Fr Peter by email please use kambah@cg.org.au until the issue is resolved.

St Thomas the Apostle Kambah Parish & School Fete has been cancelled

It is with great disappointment that we have decided not to proceed with the 2020 St Thomas the Apostle Fete.

Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, social distancing requirements.

We look with hope to the 2021 Fete and may it be the best one yet.

St Thomas Chicks It is with much sadness that due to the uncertainty with what will happen with COVID-19 the St Thomas Chicks trip in October has been cancelled. 

We look to 2021 with the hopes of booking a trip then.

Baptism Preparation

We are taking booking for Baptisms again, one the first, third and when It occurs fifth Sunday of the Month.

Please contact the office to make a booking, If you need to attend a Baptism Preparation Evening there is one next Thursday 3rd September.

CRIM(s),

Our distinguished men's group is trying out some new venues. 
Our August venue has been the Murrumbidgee Golf Club while our September venue is still to be decided.  
Join us each Thursday at 12 noon for a coffee, a snack or just a chat. FYI Michael  0408 626 918.

Archdiocesan Protocols for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Reception of Holy Communion in the Hand

The protocols for reception of Holy Communion that the Archdiocese has adopted are informed by the best medical expertise. In issuing these protocols, the Archbishop has acted according to Canon 837 of the Code of Canon Law which recognises that liturgical actions are “celebrations of the Church itself as the ‘sacrament of unity,’ that is, the holy people united and ordered under the bishops.”

The sensitive issue of asking all members of the faithful to receive Holy Communion in the hand – and not on the tongue – is in accord with sound reason, unity in our communities and the good of the faithful – in this case their physical health.

Given the living tradition of the Church, which highlights the most ancient practice of receiving Holy Communion in the hand, the Archbishop has the authority to instruct the faithful to receive Holy Communion in the hand during this time of Pandemic, with no exceptions.

From the earliest of times, the Church has always honoured our Eucharistic Lord with deep, and somewhat graphic faith, combined with practical piety. For instance, St. Cyril (313-386), in commenting on a 1^st Century church document, teaches:

In approaching Holy Communion, come not with your wrists extended, or your fingers spread, but make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. Receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. So then after having carefully hallowed your eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it. Be careful lest you lose any portion of it, for whatever you lose, is evidently a loss to you as it were from one of your own members.

Then after you have partaken of the Body of Christ, draw near also to the Cup of His Blood, not stretching forth your hands, but bending and saying with an air of worship and reverence, Amen. And while the moisture is still upon your lips, touch it with your hands, and hallow your eyes and brow and the other organs of sense. Then wait for the prayer, and give thanks unto God, who has accounted you worthy of so great mysteries (Catechetical Lecture 23).

The faithful should be assured that in receiving Communion in the hand they are acting in accord with past generations of believers.

Father Anthony Percy VG

July 2020

Archdiocesan Protocols

COVID 19

Liturgical and Pastoral

ACT Parishes

Effective Friday 19 June 2020

1-8 Refer to NSW Parishes Only

Eucharist

 9. Masses are to be celebrated with no more than 100 people, respecting the 

4sqm per person rule (including priest and those involved in liturgical ministries).

a. Communion in the hand only.

b. Sacred Host, not the Precious Blood, to be offered.

c. No touching at the sign of peace.

d. No collection plates are to be used, but money/envelopes placed at collection points.

e. 4sqm per person rule

i.   Seating

ii. Standing

iii. During the Communion Procession

iv. During the movement to place money/envelopes at the collection points.

 

f. Hygiene practices

i. Sanitisation of hands before entering the church

ii. Wiping down of pews and common areas at conclusion of Mass.

iii. Priest and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to purify hands with sanitiser before and after offering Holy Communion

iv. Limit the use of books. Ensure they are cleansed between use.

 

g. Register of people upon entering the church

i. Name

ii. Phone and/or email

iii. To be kept in safe place (respecting privacy laws for 28 days for chief medical officer)




Funerals

 10. No more than 100 people, respecting the 4sqm per person rule (including clergy and liturgical ministers). Funeral directors to keep register of people who attend.

 Weddings

 11. No more than 100 people, respecting the 4sqm per person rule 

(including clergy and liturgical ministers).

Church to keep register of people who attend in accord with 9(g).

Baptism

12. No more than 100 people, respecting the 4sqm per person rule 

(including priest and those involved in liturgical ministries).

Penance

13. First Rite of penance, with priest and penitent respecting the 4sqm per person rule

14. Second Rite of penance to be celebrated with no more than 100 people, respecting the 

4sqm per person rule (including priest and liturgical ministers).

Prayer and Social Gatherings

15. No more than 100 people whether inside Church or other Church facility, 

respecting the 4sqm per person rule.

NSW & ACT Parishes

Effective immediately

Communion to Sick and Elderly Persons

16. Normal pastoral practice resumes. Communion to sick persons in hospitals, 

aged care homes and private homes.

Anointing of the Sick

 17.  Normal pastoral practice resumes. Anointing of the sick in hospitals, aged care homes and 

private homes.

18. If the person has COVID 19, please consult the Vicar General.

19. Hospital rosters resume in the ACT.

First Penance, First Holy Communion & Confirmation

20. Normal pastoral practice resumes, respecting liturgical and pastoral protocols.

Father Anthony Percy

Vicar General

16 June 2020

September is memorable for SVDP Society. 

The 6th marks the liturgical feast day of Blessed Frederic Ozanam; The 27th is the feast day of SVDP.  

To mark the occasion current & past members of our local conference will join other parishioners at Mass 6pm, Tue 29th Sep to commemorate the lives & the legacy of both Frederic & Vincent. Come & join us in this Mass as your contribution as a member, past or present, is a valuable tribute to these men & those we serve on our daily visits as we live out our Vincentian vocation.

The Kambah Vinnies Conference is conducting its annual Ozanam Sunday appeal for our Twinned Conference/s in Indonesia.  Twinning is the program by which our members support our fellow Vincentians in developing countries spiritually, financially & through mutual encouragement.  If you would like to make a donation for our twinned conference/s, (in lieu of cash donations) you can make an electronic contribution to BSB: 062-786, ACC: 14760, ‘Ozanam Sunday Kambah. Please make sure you enter the reference: OZANAM SUNDAY Kambah. If you require a receipt, please email finance.cg@vinnies.org.au name, donation amount, donation date & Kambah.

CDF News

The CDF has set up a quick & easy way to donate to the First & Second Collections in our Parish.

Just use the following link & fill in the form.

Please ensure you pick which collection you wish to donate too (1st or 2nd) & enter your information to ensure that the money you donate comes back to us.

https://www.bpoint.com.au/pay/catholicdevelopmentfundarchdioceseofcanberra

We really appreciate you continued support during this difficult time.

Second Collection (Parish Revenue)

All money from the second collection is banked in the Church account.

It is used for the running of the parish. eg utilities (including presbytery utilities), parish secretary wage, priest vehicles & superannuation, stationary, maintenance, insurance etc.

As well as payments to support the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference, the NSW Bishop’s Conference, the Apostolic Nunciature (contributions to the Vatican) & the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Catholic Council.

Paying by Cash

If you wish to drop your cash envelopes into the locked Church letter box these will be collected, counted and banked as usual.

Set up a Direct Debit  

Please download the attached form, fill in a return the office either by way of the locked letter box at the Church or via email to kambah@cg.org.au

Pay by Credit Card

Credit Cards are debited monthly on or about the 20th of the month.

Please download the attached form, fill in a return the office either by way of the locked letter box at the Church or via email to kambah@cg.org.au

Direct Deposit.

We can also accept direct deposits into our bank account, please ensure that you put your name &/or your envelope number in the description so that I can match your payment back to your envelope number in the system.

The account details are as follows.

*  BSB:              062 786

*  Acc #:           000 014 976

*  Acc Name:  St Thomas the Apostle Parish Church

*  Reference:  PG Surname, First Name or Envelope Number

Forms can downloaded from the APPLICATION FORMS tab.

1st September. Soup Kitchen Report Week 15 up-date.

 This is our final Soup Kitchen Report for this year. We would like to thank all those who have donated ingredients, supplies, money & containers & especially those who have made soup over the last 15 weeks throughput June to August inclusive. Many families have been the recipients of our soup and we hope it has brought a little bit of cheer to them during these difficult times. Once again thank you for your kind support. 

Spring? What is in the offering? Well next week we start our Care Baskets. Each week throughout September, October and November, a family in our Parish will receive a Gift Basket with a range of goodies including a selection from personal care items, sweets, wine and a range of vouchers (ie from McDonalds, Gooseberry's, Trev's Cafe, Choku Bai Jo etc). If you would like to nominate a family or perhaps contribute some goods for inclusion, please contact Michael on 0408 626918 and watch our progress at www.hrdaustralia.com.au

25th August. Soup Kitchen Report: Week 14 up-date. 

Lia's Pumpkin Soup was well received last week and distributed to many deserving families in the Parish. This week for our final week for the Winter Soup Kitchen we have Bruna's assistance once again with Sweet Potato, Pumpkin and Potato Soup together with a Pea and Ham Soup. 

Check out the Soup Kitchen Reports at www.hrdaustralia.com.au and see what is planned for Spring!

19th August. Soup Kitchen Report: Week 13 up-date

Soup Kitchen Report: Week 13 up-date. Chicken Supreme with Minestra di Verdura was made by our Italian connections last week and distributed to a dozen local families and our school as well as a couple of them finding their way to Cooma. Only two weeks left for the Winter Soup Kitchen. Don't miss out on your turn. Contact Michael on 0408 626918 if you can assist and follow our Soup Kitchen Reports at www.hrdaustralia.com.au

10th August. Soup Kitchen Report: Week 12 up-date

Thank you to Zinka for the donation of lemons and Barbara for the soup vegetables. These were distributed along with Chicken Combo Soup to nine families and our school. An anonymous soup maker (trying to get on My Kitchen Rules) was responsible for this week's delicious recipe. If you can assist us in the last three weeks please contact Michael T. on 0408 626918 and follow our Soup Kitchen Reports at www.hrdaustralia.com.au.
 

3rd August. Soup Kitchen Report: Week 11 up-date. 

Four soup varieties, Pumpkin, Chicken and Corn, Minted Pea and Italian were generously made by Sandy and Bruna. Ten local families received soup along with our school and a neighbourhood Respite Care home. On Saturday soup was also delivered to Fr Adrian and Fr Mick at Cooma. Fr Adrian was preparing to travel to Bombala to say Mass although he was suffering from a hamstring injury! He passes on his best wishes to everyone. If you can assist us in the last four weeks with making soup please contact Michael T. on 0408 626918. Follow our Soup Kitchen Reports at www.hrdaustralia.com.au in the Blogs section.

29th July. Soup Kitchen Report: Week 10 up-date.

Week 10 up-date. Soupe aux Legumes was made by parishioner and French chef, Michele, last week. It was distributed to 11 families and our school. Some folks even received piazzas (courtesy of Gordon IGA) and bread (from the Kambah Village Bakery). This week we have Bruna cooking up a storm and a generous donation from Janelle and Warwick will give us a good start for next week. Contact Michael T. on 0408 626918 if you can assist. Follow our Soup Kitchen Reports at www.hrdaustralia.com.au in the Blogs section.

10th July 2020 - Soup Kitchen Update

Soup kitchen update:  thank you to Bruna for the two lovely soups last weekend, Pumpkin and Minestrone, which were distributed to 12 families. With school holidays starting and no drop off soup to our school, some soup was taken to the Mental Health Foundation (ACT) residential home in Kambah for the use of its clients. For Week 7 (our half way mark) we have Simon as our chef. We do need help for the weekend of 25/26 July as well as for the last 4 weekends in August. For more information please contact Michael T. on 0408 626918 see our soup up-dates in the Blog section of hrdaustralia.com.au

26th June 2020 - Soup Kitchen Update
Sandy's soups last weekend, both Pea & Ham, & Pumpkin,

were well received. Recipients included some of our Vincentians who have been suffering from

ill health recently, as well as parishioners in general, with extra soup also left at the school for distribution. For Week 5 (this week) we have Helen cooking up a storm & a long list of eager recipients all waiting for that knock at the door.

Please note that next week (the end of June) will be the last week of general pick up & delivery of medications and groceries as Covid 19 restrictions ease somewhat.  However, do not hesitate to contact me if at any time you need this assistance especially in an emergency or if there is an illness.  Please contact Michael T. on 0408 626918 or hrdaustralia.com.au

12^th June 2020 - Soup Kitchen Update

We are now into Week 3 of the Soup Kitchen and all is going well!

A big thank you to our soup makers so far (Bruna, Helen, Moya and Chris) and to generous sponsors with materials (John and Margaret). Last weekend we delivered soup to 12 families & all were appreciative of our efforts.

This week we see Andrew and Cecily as the chief soup makers and deliveries will be made either Sunday and/or early in the following week. The Roster (through until the end of August) still has a few gaps. If you can assist with soup making please get in touch with Michael Tabart on telephone no. 0408 626918.

Thank you.  Cheers Michael T.

5th June 2020 - Soup Kitchen Update. 

I trust you are well! Things are going along nicely. I have 2 soup makers last weekend. I have just dropped off containers to volunteers. Soup has been delivered to parishioners &. I have permission from Vinnies to freeze any left over soup in their pantry freezers if the need be for later distribution throughout the week. At this stage we have 15 families to deliver the initial batch to. One person has suggested the school may have some interested people that might like it as well. I will follow this up with Ursula. My intention would be to leave the frozen soup with the school for them to distribute as they see appropriate. Please contact me if you think there is anyone that would like some soup &  I will add them to my list if they are not already on it. I may also need to get some addresses (in accordance with Privacy Regulations!) as obviously I don't know where everyone resides. 

Michael Tabart & his team are still available If anyone need assistance with groceries or to pick up medical supplies: Please contact on 0408 626 918 or hrdaustralia.com.au. 

29th May 2020 - Soup Kitchen Update

Hi folks

Please find attached the (blank) Soup Kitchen Roster. If you would like to assist in making soup in any of the listed weeks (beginning Monday 1 June and going through until Monday 31 August inclusive) please let me know your preferred date/s. I have 5 volunteers already; I just need to know their availability.

At this stage we will go with frozen soup (I am having trouble getting heated food bags at present) and aim for deliveries to individuals over the weekend commencing with the first delivery being planned for Saturday/Sunday 6/7 June. 

As soon as I can fill in some of the Roster, I will contact people re: getting containers to them and look at how we might freeze the soup in readiness for delivery. I may also need a couple of delivery drivers as well (flexible hours and flexible rates).

I would like to get as many people involved in this activity as possible. 

The intention is not about feeding our parishioners so much as it is in continuing the interaction between parishioners on a practical and social basis and further enhancing that sense of community (albeit in keeping with Covid19 distancing requirements). 

If you would like some soup delivered to you or know of any parishioner who would appreciate it, please send those names (preferably with addresses and phone numbers) through to me.

Lastly, if we have plenty/excess soup, we may even be able to pass some on to Vinnies for distribution to its companions (what do you think Bob?) And Stan, could we use some freezer storage space in the pantry if it's available?

Regards Michael T. Ph: 0408 626918

Soup Kitchen Start Up 22nd May 2020

Michael Tabart would like to start up St Thomas the Apostle Kambah Winter Soup Kitchen, and is putting out some feelers for volunteers to get this up & running in the first week in June.

Soup will not be served outside the church, instead rather it might be delivered throughout the Kambah area to those who request it frozen.

(Maybe hot as well if heat bags can be sourced reasonably.)

Volunteers are needed for the following: donate ingredients; make soup; pack soup; deliver soup; and/or sponsorship.

Once interest is gauged Michael will prepare a roster to the above roles. A generous Parishioner has already agreed to support with suitable soup containers at a very good price.

If you are interested in helping in any way or in receiving soup please contact Michael on 0408 626 918. 

Any assistance to get this info out to our community would be greatly appreciated.

Online prayer service including streaming of masses are available using the following links.

Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese Resources

https://cgcatholic.org.au/

https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/

https://www.facebook.com/archdiocesecanberragoulburn/

Chanel 10 is broadcasting Mass on Sunday Mornings at 6am this is then replayed on both Aurora and Foxtel check local guides for details. 

https://10play.com.au/mass-for-you-at-home/about

http://www.mfyah.com/index.html

http://www.mfyah.com/video.html

Other Resources 

https://melbournecatholic.org.au/Mass 

https://www.pray.com.au/

https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html

Mass on the internet from the Jesuit church in Lavender Bay in Sydney

https://www.northsydneycatholics.com/spirituality/liturgy/mass-on-demand

Fr Peter & Parish Pastoral Council may have a Zoom meeting Wednesday 10th June 2020 at 6pm

More information to come. Emergency correspondence will be done via email.

PROJECT COMPASSION 2020 

ARCHDIOCESE OF Canberra/Goulburn 

PARISH DONATIONS DURING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

If you would like to donate to project compassion the following methods are available

Paying by Cash

If you wish to drop your cash envelopes into the locked Church letter box these will be collected, counted and banked as usual.

Direct Deposit

*  BSB:            062 786

*  Acc #:          000 012 830

*  Acc Name:   Caritas Australia,

*  Reference:   PC20   Parish Suburb/Town or Area name

Paying by Cheque or Credit Card

if you wish to drop your cheque or credit card envelopes into the locked Church letter box these will be collected, counted and banked as usual or post to.

*  Address:      Caritas Australia

GPO Box 368

CANBERRA ACT 2601

Project Compassion Website

https://lent.caritas.org.au/#blank

Phone or In Person - Monday to Friday

·       Caritas-Office:               02 6201 9851 or 0437 295 327.

·       Caritas-Office:               6 Donaldson Street Braddon (please call to arrange an appointment).

·       Caritas Nation Office:  1800 024 413

If none of these arrangements are suitable please feel free to hold onto your donation until after this health crisis is resolved.

Baptism     Bookings will not be taken at this time.

Weddings Are restricted to a maximum of 10 people in attendance excluding those conducting the service..

Funerals    Will be restricted to 20 people indoors & 30 people outside in attendance, excluding those

conducting the service.

If you wish to proceed with a Wedding or Funeral under these conditions please contact the Parish Office on (02) 62319219 or kambah@cg.org.au

Over the last couple of weeks we have received several reports of scam emails doing the rounds again, impersonating our clergy staff whilst asking for a favour and to reply to the email. See below for a screenshot of an example of one of these emails.

This notice is simply a reminder to please be vigilant when it comes to these kinds of requests. 

Please be aware that these emails were NOT sent from a @cg.org.au address, however this may not be immediately apparent on mobile devices. 

Please do not reply to these emails, and simply block the sender and delete the email.

The following is an example of a scam email that was received.

Dear Parishioners,

Message from Fr Peter - Friday 12th June 2020

Dear Parishioners,

We have had some exciting news, from Saturday 20th June 100 people (including Clergy) will be permitted to attend masses as long as social distancing & other protocols are adhered to. 

Last Wednesday our PPC met on zoom talking about issues in our Parish: Re finance, church, parishioners, school…

The main issue is:

We are preparing for the return to normal by planning how to register, to roster, to clean, to support each other ….

In terms of the Archdiocesan protocols we are waiting for an official updates after the release of the story on Catholic Voice and update of ACT Government Website.

Together keep on praying.

God bless,

Fr Peter My.

Message from Fr Peter - Friday 5th June 2020

Dear Parishioners, 

On the way back to normal, a few notes I would like to raise:
- St Vincent de Paul had their first meeting last Monday June 1st since the lockdown;
- Our office was opened since last Tuesday June 2nd;
- All staff, teachers and students of our school have returned;
- Special ministers have been ministering Holy Communion to some housebound;
- The Winter soup kitchen has been serving;
- Reconciliation is available from 5pm to 5.30pm on Saturdays in the Church;
- Bookings for Weddings and Baptisms now are available;
While waiting for more churchgoers allowed in the church building we continue our parish zoom mass at 9.30am every day.
- More than welcome to join the mass;
- Please sign the petition on the Daily Voice for more numbers of churchgoers permitted in the church  building if you had not yet done it; 

https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/petition-to-the-chief-minister-of-the-act/
- If we got 50 people allowed by June 20th we would do mass in the church with a roster on the  weekend;
- We will prepare to have a cleaning system ready when services are available in the church;
- We are trying hard again to fix the water system in the church and also the sacristy problem;
- The PPC next meeting on zoom is at 6pm this coming Wednesday June 10th;
- Lastly, please keep praying for the return to the full normal activities in our parish.

God bless,

Fr Peter My.

Dear Parishioners

How are you all?

ACT relaxes the Covid-19 restrictions with more churchgoers allowed in the church building, but it still is a small number as mentioned in the latest protocols of our Archdiocese as follows:

Archdiocese lobbies ACT government for bigger Masses

Vicar-General Fr Tony Percy 

New South Wales will allow Masses for 50 people from next Monday & the ACT should do the same, the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn has argued.

Vicar-General Fr Tony Percy has today written to ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman pointing out that, from tomorrow, funerals in the ACT can have 50 people but not Masses. Masses in the ACT are still restricted to 10 people.

From tomorrow, that number will increase to 20 parishioners in line with Step 2.1 of the ACT Recovery Plan. Step 2.2 takes effect on June 20 but still only allows 20 people for Mass, despite permitting 50 people at gyms and health clubs.

From mid-July a total of 100 parishioners will be allowed through church doors when Step 2.3 takes effect.

Advocating for the 160,000 Catholics across the Archdiocese, Fr Tony said churches were large buildings that could easily comply with physical distancing and hygiene rules.

In his letter, the Vicar-General acknowledged the “marvellous work” of Dr Coleman and the ACT Health Department in dealing with COVID 19 and said the community was deeply grateful.

“Would it be possible for Step 2.1 to permit places of worship and religious ceremonies to have a max of 50 people?” Fr Tony wrote.

“This is respectfully requested, given that our Churches are large public buildings that can easily comply with the 1 per 4sqm rule and satisfy hygiene requirements.

“This request seems consistent with the fact that in Step 2.1, 50 people are permitted for a funeral and in Step 2.2, up to 50 people will be allowed in other public places, including gyms, health clubs, fitness and wellness centres.

“This request would also provide consistency with NSW, which will permit 50 people for places of worship and religious services from Monday 1 June 2020.”

The Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn covers 89,000 square kilometres, Fr Tony pointed out, incorporating the ACT and large parts of country NSW, and comprises more than 160,000 Catholics.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian

The NSW government has announced a further easing of restrictions with up to 50 people permitted at funerals and religious services from Monday and up to 20 people at weddings.

This follows political pressure from Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher and other religious leaders who argued faith services should be considered essential during the pandemic.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said churches must follow guidelines which are likely to ban choirs and group singing and minimize book sharing and collection plates.

“It is crucial that worshippers remember to follow health advice,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. “This is particularly important for people with comorbidities aged over 65 and people aged over 70.”

Accordingly, following the above instructions and rules, our Parish of Kambah will:

·       Start booking for baptisms & weddings;

·       Continue to hear confession from 5 to 5.30pm on Saturdays;

·       Small groups return to their activities. St Vincent de Paul will start their meeting on Monday 1st June;

·       PPC will be meeting at 6pm on Wednesday June 10, 2020;

·       Parish Office will be reopen from 9am-12pm, from Monday to Friday;

·       Fr Peter will start visiting the housebound and working more at school;

·       While waiting for the news from Fr Tony Percy about the number of Mass attendants allowed, we will continue to have daily Zoom Mass at 9.30am.

Hopefully we will return to the normal very soon.

God bless,

Fr Peter My.

Dear Parishioners,

Dear Parishioners,

Our patience has really been tested. The restrictions have been eased a lot, but still restrictions they are. Hopefully early next month, June we will be back to normal.

In terms of activities in our parish: The PPC met last Wednesday on zoom to look at current issues in our parish and school; St Vincent de Paul society, our parish branch has still been actively ministering to the poor and the needy; Our parish winter soup kitchen is ready and willing to operate again, whoever wishes to support the kitchen please get in touch with our PPC or directly with Michael Tabart (62316997).

I still hear confession at the presbytery for those who desperately need the Sacrament. Next Saturday evening 23-May, however, I will hear confession at the usual time (5-5.30) in the confessional in the church - Just a gentle reminder that only 10 people are allowed in the church at a time. Today is the first time since Easter, I celebrate a Sacrament in the Church, the Requiem Mass with 20 people. It is sad but still better than nothing.

With these few lines I just want to let you know that our parish is on the way back to normal soon, we hope and pray for that.

May Mary, God’s Mother on the month of May be with you and yours.

God bless,

Fr Peter My.

Australia has been doing well in terms of conquering the Coronavirus, restrictions start to ease. It’s great news. Hopefully our church will be opened soon. For the time being, a spiritual prayer time at home on daily Zoom Mass every morning in our parish has been improving. Every day from 10 to 50 families actively attend the Eucharist. It is very true, as being explained in the below cartoon “With COVID-19, I closed your churches!” says Satan. “On the contrary, I just opened one in every home!” says God.

Some people are very enthusiastic and keen on the winter soup kitchen, which has been extremely successful the last few years in our parish. They want to open the kitchen again. I suggest that due to the restrictions, we ought to be patient waiting for a little bit longer.

Thank you one and all for continuing to support the parish with finance.

We still receive donations in different forms: envelops, cash, electronic banking… 

Happy Mother’s day on Sunday! May God bless all our Mothers in a Special Way!

And May God bless and protect you and yours. Fr Peter.

Hi everyone,

Firstly, hoping this note finds you all well.

Restrictions in many parts in Australia have been loosened. It’s a good news. Hopefully we will soon come back to normal activities. For the time being, our church is still closed for worship, but has been opened the last few days for some works: Fixing the carpet and cupboard in the sacristy which were damaged by leaking water.

I believe some parishioners have been enduring some sorts of difficulties in terms of finance. The poor and the needy, in a way, obviously have experienced this. Unfortunately, two baskets with some food in them, placed next to the sign of St Vinnie in front of our meeting room disappeared last week. God bless those who were in need and took those baskets.

Our Zoom Daily Mass has been improving day by day. We now even have “different choirs” singing at Mass. It’s wonderful and prayerful. Thanks all volunteers for joyfully sharing a variety of ministries at the Eucharist. Our community indeed has a spiritual prayer time every day. Until we come back to normal life, feel free to join the Parish Zoom Mass at 9.30am every morning. It’s a great blessing to be with the Lord; And through Him, with Him and in Him we all have been strengthened.

Lastly, I would like to send you this May blessings:

God bless,

Fr Peter My.