Coronavirus (Covid -19)

Update – 26-03-2020

Dear Parishioner
It is so hard to come to grips with how difficult a time we are in. Who would ever have thought the need to close churches throughout the land and in particular our own St Mary’s Cathedral Sale. Whilst accepting the Governments decisions to get on top of the Virus we have had to take the hard road to recovery. We are left saddened our priests saying daily and weekend masses without the presence of our parishioners. We are so grateful for the kind and sensitive phone calls as to our welfare.

Speaking for Fr Edwin, Deacon Jithin and myself, our first concern is to keep contact with our parishioners. Helping you with Lenten Prayers and Scriptures throughout Lent and Easter. We are updating our parish website providing prayers, parish bulletin news, weekend homilies shared by the priests and deacon in the days and weeks ahead.

We are constantly being directed to ‘stay at home’. The Catholic Seminary in Carlton has closed, Deacon Jithin is with us permanently throughout this time – we are very happy to have him with us. During this time of ‘stay at home’ Ministers of the Eucharist will not be allowed to take communion to those they usually look after. I encourage all become familiar with the ‘Spiritual Communion Prayer’, promoted by Pope Francis and the Bishops of Australia. This prayer is available on our website. All too are encouraged to reference the Diocesan and Cathedral Websites in your search for prayers at home, accessing televised Masses streamlined live, the parishes of Narre Warren and Cranbourne have them 9.30am daily and on weekends Saturday at 6.00pm, Sundays 9.00am and 6.00pm. I’m very pleased that we too at St Mary’s Cathedral are able to streamline-live over the next three Sundays at 9.30am – we are grateful to Mr Jeff Hobbs for his skill in this area.

Bishop Pat has directed all Parish Office work be conducted from home. Our secretary Clare O’Brien is very generous and kind to work from home throughout this time. Please note our Parish office on the Bishop House site is closed until further notice. Contact can be ongoing on:

• The Parish number 5144 4100
• Clare O’Brien 0403 857 977
• Fr Peter 040 851 7073
• Fr Edwin 0469 733 929
• Deacon Jithin 0490 364 751

We your priests and Deacon will continue to pray for each and every parishioner and invite your prayers that we remain available to you all, prayerful and of service to every need.
Please keep in mind all fellow parishioners, especially the elderly in Aged Care or at home alone. Ring them, talk to them, help them through the phone-calls you will be so kind to make.
Please look after you – let us take nothing for granted – calling on our all caring and compassionate God, and Our Lady of Perpetual help throughout this difficult time.
Love and prayers, Dean Peter.
To access our Diocesan website https://www.cdsale.org.au/
To access our Cathedral website https://www.stmaryscathedralsale.com.au/