To prevent the spread of COVID-19 the following restrictions are now in place:

1. Public Masses and liturgies—both indoor and outdoor—are suspended until further notice.
2. All faithful in the diocese are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Mass on Sundays. However, parishioners can honour their Sunday obligation by participating in a time of prayer within the home, reading the Scriptures, or watching Mass on television/online (canon 87 §1, canon 1248 §2).
3. Mass will continue to be said privately on a daily basis by priests throughout the diocese on behalf of the faithful.
4. Church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for prayer and religious services are to remain closed from midday on Monday, 23 March 2020.
5. Holy Communion is not to be given to anyone, including the sick, except as Viaticum for the dying.
6. Small weddings and funerals can proceed so long as there no more than 5 people at weddings and 10 people at funerals.
7. Baptisms should be delayed. If there is a risk of death, the child should be baptised using the existing directives with not more than six (6) people in attendance.
8. The Sacrament of Confession will be suspended during this time of pandemic. Physical and moral impossibility excuses a person from confession, in which case reconciliation may be attained by other means, for example an act of perfect contrition. (Canon 960) An act of perfect contrition can be made by saying these or similar words, “My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. I should love you above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.”

https://www.dow.org.au/covid-19/ 

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We pray that all of you keep safe and well during this difficult time.