Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update
Today, NSW Health issued new COVID-19 guidelines for indoor venues, including places of worship. These guidelines are effective from 6pm today, 26 June 2021, until midnight Friday 9 July 2021. The following rule changes will continue to apply until that date.
Places of Worship and Religious Services
Public Masses, based on the directive of the NSW Government, (both indoor and outdoor) must cease from 6pm tonight, 26 June 2021. Also affected by this closure are church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for prayer and religious services.
Funerals
Funerals are still permitted with a maximum number of 100 attendees. If the funeral takes place in a church building the social distancing rules must be observed and will be limited by the 4 square metre rule. During this period, it is recommended that a simple grave side service be held or using the crematorium chapel with a small number of mourners (very immediate family) only. A memorial Mass when the current crisis is declared over can be held later.
NSW Health continues to mandate that face masks are to be worn at all indoor venues, including places of worship.
Weddings
Weddings will be permitted up until 11.59pm Sunday 27 June 2021, provided they follow the 4 square metre rule. From Monday 28 June 2021, weddings will not be permitted during this period.
Live streaming
Live streaming of Mass is recommended. Priests may have up to five assistants at the Mass, including personnel who are operating the live stream. Many of our parishes are also live streaming their services. For a list of these parishes, please visit: https://parracatholic.org/covid19.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact myself.
With my prayers during these troubled times,
Very Rev Peter G. Williams
Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia
