Week Three: Archbishop’s Pastoral Parish visits

SACRED HEART PARISH, MORUYA

Parishioners from Sacred Heart Moruya

Archbishop Christopher with Fr George Azhakath and Deacon Paul Rummery

Archbishop Christopher with Fr George Azhakath Parish Priest Sacred Heart Parish Moruya

Regeneration of the forests in Mogo after the bushfires

At the outbreak of COVID-19, our Parish office, Fr George and Pastoral Council Members kept in contact with parishioners especially the home bound, elderly and single, enquiring about their wellbeing and providing psychological support, doing shopping and supplying cooked meals.

The Caring Groups of Moruya and Tuross Head cooked food and froze it to distribute according to demand, which continues to be much appreciated.

Telephone and email contact lists were made. Parishioners were contacted weekly to make sure all were coping.

Weekly bulletin, Parish news and COVID-19 protocol instructions were sent out weekly by email and hard copies were made available. The church was transformed into a COVID safe place following government protocols.

It was evaluated that during the lockdown the parish was better knit together by telephone contact, practical help and emailed bulletins. We were deprived of Lent, Holy Week and Easter celebrations, and the absence of Mass and Holy Communion was a dreadful experience for all.

Moruya parishioners experienced the power of community healing and support when Archbishop Christopher visited, celebrated Mass, prayed for the community, shared a meal and engaged in hours of conversation.

ST BERNARD’S PARISH BATEMANS BAY

St Bernard’s parishioners enjoy a morning tea after mass

Croatian Community at Batemans Bay

(Left to Right) Batemans Bay parishioners Dave May, Elizabeth Mahon, Tonnie Van der Brode and Leonie May