SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH RESPONSE TO RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY COVID-19
(updated 10.06.2020 )
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QUESTION What plans does the Parish have for pandemics?
ANSWER The Parish Council, Finance Committee and Liturgy Committee have collectively put in place a steering committee to coordinate our response. The Q & A below are a first step of implementing our Covid 19 response. Communication, keeping ourselves connected and looking after each other will be critical. See Father Chris’s Pastoral letter on our webpage www.whangareicatholic.org.nz
Question: Who are the members of the Parish Steering Committee?
The Steering Committee is currently comprised of the three priests on the Parish Staff: Fr Chris, Fr Trevor and Fr Peter. Allan Kerrisk represents the Liturgy Committee, Ben Lim, Graham Franks and Madeleine Armstrong the Pastoral Council and Glennis McSherry-Heape the Management and Finance Committee. This committee meets weekly on a Tuesday night to keep in touch and co-ordinate the response of the Parish while we are in lockdown.
QUESTION Will parish meetings continue?
ANSWER Once we move to Level 2 (14 May) it will be possible to have a parish meeting but with a limit of 10 people attending. (Updated to 100 on 29 May.)
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PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
QUESTION: With Mass suspended, how do I meet my obligation to participate at Sunday Mass?
ANSWER Bishop Pat Dunn has formally given dispensation from the obligation to participate on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation (CC 87#1, 1247). We have now begun the Normal Mass timetable plus an extra Sunday mass at Midday at St Francis Xavier. These masses will be limited to 100 people so we ask you please to book in either by contacting the parish office or by booking in online to ensure a seat. However should you feel not well enough to come to Mass or you are still a bit fearful it is fine to stay at home. You are encouraged to pray together as a household using the resources for each Sunday Mass available on the Parish website. If you are on your own or wish to view the Bishop’s Sunday Mass, it will be streamed online and reached through the front page of the Diocese website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz
QUESTION: Will churches remain open and when will they be open?
ANSWER Our church is now open for the normal mass and liturgy timetable for both weekdays and Sundays. Numbers are limited to 100 people at any one time. All normal procedures of sanitizing, recording of contact details and social distancing will need to be observed.
QUESTION: What are the Ministry of Health ( MoH) distancing guidelines?
ANSWER People from different households should not hug or shake hands and where possible keep a 1 metre distance between them.
QUESTION: Can a priest visit me in my home?
ANSWER With Level 2 restrictions in place a priest may now visit parishioners in their homes or hospital or hospice to administer viaticum or the last rites. If you know of someone in danger of death please contact us.
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SACRAMENTS
QUESTION: Will the Sacrament of Reconciliation continue?
ANSWER The normal timetable for reconciliation is now in place. Under Level 2 starting 29 May we are allowed to have no more than 100 people in the Church at any one time.
QUESTION: Will Holy Communion to the sick be available?
ANSWER Yes Under Level 2 it will be possible for a minister to visit you in your home and bring you the sacrament of Holy Communion. All the necessary precautions must be observed.
QUESTION: Will the sacrament of anointing the sick and dying continue?
ANSWER Under Level 2 Priests are able to celebrate the sacrament of the sick with those who request it.
QUESTION: Will Catholic Funerals be available?
ANSWER: Under Level 2 it is now possible to celebrate a funeral ceremony but with a limit of 100 people not including the celebrant and the funeral director. The Church is available for this if requested.
QUESTION: Will instruction leading to OCIA, confirmation and First Eucharist continue?
ANSWER No, Confirmation First Eucharist and OCIA instruction has been suspended at this time
QUESTION: Will Catholic Weddings still continue?
ANSWER Yes a Catholic wedding is possible. But with a limit of 100 attending while we are in Level 2.
QUESTION Can a baptism be celebrated?
ANSWER Yes once level 2 is in place but not until then (except if there is danger of death) . No group baptisms however.
Question: Is a priest available to talk to if you find you need some spiritual guidance or support?
Answer: Yes you can contact a priest by calling the Marist Community on (09) 4375266. They are happy to talk to you on the phone or organise a teleconference if you prefer.
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THE FUTURE
QUESTION What can we do to help?
ANSWER The Covid 19 Steering Committee is currently assessing how we will communicate Parish and Parishioners needs to match them with your generosity.
One of the most important things we can do is to pray for each other. Our Marist Community will certainly be daily praying for our parish and ask that you in turn please pray for us too.
We will be regularly updating this document so if you have any further questions that you would like answered or have any suggestions to make about the material on the website please let us know.
Question: What will change once we go to Level 1 ?
Answer: What CONVID-19 Alert Level One will allow
- Churches may be open, and normal numbers and no recording of details will be needed. While there are no more new cases of Covid 19.
- hygiene measures will be recommended.
- Weddings and funerals will be allowed in churches, again with a limit of 100 people present.
- Priests will be able to visit parishioners in their homes to administer the Sacraments and for such other spiritual purposes as sought.
The bishops and the National Liturgy Office are giving urgent consideration as to how Holy Communion should be distributed.
For now, the provisions of their 13 March advice also remain in place: they included:
- No holy water in fonts;
The Bishops are looking at these and other issues urgently and with diligence, and intend to provide substantial further guidance early next week.
Our email address is pp@whangareicatholic.org.nz