COVID19 UPDATE EMAIL SENT TO OLHC PARISHONERS FROM FATHER SARKIS PP
5 JANUARY 2021

To download this email in Portable Document Format (PDF), simply clock the button below

ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION

The Government now requires that all attendance registrations be digitised in electronic format. This now means that for people who do not register but just turn up, we can no longer simply write their names down. If you have not registered beforehand, you will need to register using the QR code at the church entry with your mobile phone. Without doing this, entry will not be possible. Furthermore, this can only happen if there are seats available within the allowable number. So, please register beforehand. For all other parish gatherings, functions or meetings, registration will only be via the QR code using your phone.

MASS UPDATES

In addition to the 1 person per 4 square meter rule once again applying, we are now limited to a maximum of 100 people for all religious services including Mass, Weddings and Funerals and are also required to maintain 1.5 meter social distancing between people. It is also now mandatory for everyone 12 years and older to wear a face mask in churches. Registration is still required beforehand. Go to the parish website and click the Register for Mass button. Follow the prompts to whichever Mass you want to attend and complete the details. Alternatively, click the Register for Mass button below. If you have not registered, then you will need to use the QR code at the church entry with your mobile phone; however for Weekend Masses, with the reduced number allowed, it is highly unlikely that there will be space if you have not registered beforehand. As well, writing down your details on a list is no longer permitted. Because of the reduced number of people allowed at each Mass, it is essential that if you register to attend a specific Mass that you attend that Mass, otherwise you will be stopping someone else from attending who could have.

READERS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

A reminder to Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion that these ministries have now recommenced and you are asked to attend when you are rostered on. Regarding Readers, for the moment only ONE Reader will do BOTH Readings and the Psalm. Please communicate between yourselves to take turns in doing the readings. Let Father Sarkis know before Mass that you are there.

OTHER COVID PROTOCOLS

Also, please note:

• All registrations are online, not by phone or emailing the parish office. We will be printing a list of all online registrations, so you do not need to print your ticket.
• Please ONLY phone the parish office if you do not have online access.
• You must still register to attend Mass to allow contact tracing by health authorities if required.
• Please ensure you attend Mass you register for, otherwise you will be stopping someone else from doing so when they could have.
• Online registration will close at 3pm the previous day for weekday Masses, and 3pm on Saturday for the Vigil and Sunday Masses.
• Health protocols still need to occur before entering the church. Temperatures will be taken, so please please arrive 15 minutes before the start of Mass to prevent unnecessary delays. Once Mass starts, the doors will be closed.
• Face masks are mandatory for everyone 12 years and older.
• After Mass, please take a disinfectant wipe (provided on each pew) to rub over surfaces where you have been sitting or come in contact with and place them in the bins provided as you leave.
• Please note that toilets will NOT be open.
• Social gatherings after Religious Services is not permitted. Please do not gather outside the church after Mass. Unfortunately, you must leave immediately upon exiting the church.
• HOTSPOTS: If you have attended any of the hotspots listed on the notice in the foyer, you must immediately self-isolate for 14 days and get tested even if you have no symptoms.

Father Sarkis thanks you for your ongoing financial support of the parish during this extraordinary difficult time and reminds you of the following matters:

• Since collection plates can no longer be used, please place your offerings for both first and second collections in the marked containers in the foyer. Changing our long-held behaviour patterns is difficult, and I want to thank you for your understanding and support about this. I am very conscious of the financial strain of many people, but I sincerely ask that you try, if you are able, to maintain your usual offering as we cannot keep operating as normal without this financial support. Thank you.
• I strongly encourage parishioners who currently give by envelope to consider changing to Direct Debit or Credit Card contributions to ensure the regular income of the parish continues. Please contact the parish office to arrange this.
• If you are not yet coming physically to Mass, please drop your Planned Giving Envelope into the secure letter box at the front entry to the Parish Office each week. Please don’t forget the first collection for the sustenance of the clergy (as we still have to live too!). If using the letter box, place this donation in a plain envelope and mark it ‘First Collection”. Thank you.
• If you are not in the Parish Financial System and would like to join to support the Parish, forms are available at the Foyer Notice Board, or contact the parish office. Thank you for your support.
• The church still cannot be left open during the day at the moment.

While Weekend Mass is no longer livestreamed, for the benefit of sick, homebound and elderly parishioners, the Tuesday 6.30pm Mass is still livestreamed. Simply click the blue YouTube Channel button below to access this Mass.

REGISTER FOR MASS

You are able to register for Mass by clicking the Register For Mass button on the Home Page of the Parish Website or by clicking the Register For Mass button below:

LIVESTREAMED MASSES AT OLHC

For the benefit of sick, homebound and elderly parishioners, the Tuesday 6.30pm Mass will be livestreamed until further notice.

To view this Mass on YouTube, click the following button:

COVID19 SAFETY PLANS
NSW GOVERNMENT - 24 JULY 2020

COVID-19 Safety Plans have been released by the NSW Government to help create and maintain a safe environment for churches, those who work there, and congregants; for those people attending and planning a wedding; and for those people organising a funeral or wake.

These directives are effective as from 24 July 2020

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