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Dear Friends and Parishioners-
Greetings to you all on 1st December, Wednesday in the First Week of Advent. With joy I can tell you that our Church will be OPEN from this Friday 03 December for visits and private prayer- anyone may come and go and you are most welcome. Please take the usual health precautions for yourself and for any others who may also be in the Church. |
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That means we are also OPEN for weekday and Sunday Masses- but we must live within limitations of the COVID-19 Protection Framework (the Traffic Light System) at those Masses.
We are all struggling with this temporary reality that for the common good of all in terms of public health, we must face a vaccinated/unvaccinated distinction mandated by an external agency- the Government.
Accommodating All- we are used to having different Masses for different people.
We have:-
* Different Mass times
* Mass for Youth
* Mass for School
* Mass for a Funeral, and so on.
As you can see, it is never usual for the whole community to gather at one time for Mass. So we are used to difference.
Appealing to all. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated Catholics can receive the Sacraments at all sorts of times and in all sorts of circumstances. The complexity at present is that we cannot receive them together in the same liturgical space while the Traffic Light System is in place for the protection of all. In that we are no different to other public settings like libraries and hospitality venues.
So as we open up our Church again this Friday, and especially for Sunday Mass this weekend we are all called to behave with honour, to act with a social conscience, and to be respectful of Sacred Liturgy (the Mass). If we do this with patience, kindness, and generosity towards one another we will maintain the unity of the Body of Christ even with our differences at a difficult time for us and our country.
Traffic Light Framework. So you may have some questions about what being back together will look like. Let's begin with a really simple summary of the Framework:-
RED (this is where we are in Auckland for the next two weeks at least until the Government reviews the setting on 13th December)
* Face coverings are strongly encouraged
* Using "My Vaccine Pass"- up to 100 can gather indoors based on 1m distancing
* Not using "My Vaccine Pass" - up to 25 can gather indoors based on 1m distancing
We can talk about ORANGE and GREEN at another time. Just visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website if you want to know more.
So just to say it again: Auckland is at RED for the next two weeks, which means this Sunday (05th December) and the following (12th December). I guess then we will see if we then join the rest of the country at Orange.
To help us all navigate our way through these next two weeks I have some Frequently Asked Questions:
(1) What is different about Mass this weekend?
Arriving At Church. First of all, welcome home and what a joy to have you with us. Just like all of last year you will still need to scan your phone over the QR Code on Posters in Church. And to make that much easier the QR Code is printed on front of Parish Bulletin so you can simply scan in that way. Simple as.
If you do not have a phone you still need to record your details but now just fill out the simple Contact Slip you see in attached photo and pop it in the box. No more leaving contact details on a sheet of paper for all to see!
(2) For the usual Masses in the Parish do I need a Vaccine Pass?
Vaccine Pass. for our usual weekday and Sunday Masses YES, just like going into the Library or any other hospitality venue you must have your Vaccine Pass ready if required. Probably after sighting it once- and we know most of you by sight- you will not need to keep producing it. Of course, any children under 12 years and 3 months of age do not need to be vaccinated to be at Mass with you.
No Vaccine Pass. Each WEDNESDAY at 6.30pm we will offer an OPEN Mass (no Vaccine Pass required) for those who for whatever reason cannot be vaccinated- or prefer not to say. Under RED a maximum of 25 people can attend this Mass and vaccinated and unvaccinated congregants can attend this Mass.
Other options. The Diocese offers an on-line Mass each Sunday at 2.00pm on Shine TV Free-to-Air TV Channel 25, SKY TV Channel 201, and this is uploaded each Saturday evening at 5.30pm (as per a Vigil Mass time) if you want to see it on the diocesan website (see www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz).
(4) If at Traffic Light RED there is a limit of 100 people at Mass how can I register for Mass?
Registering. Simple, just email the parish before midday Friday each week while this is necessary (office@howickcatholic.org.nz) stating:
your name and number of people (children under 12 not vaccinated are counted as part of the 100), and what Mass time you are booking for: Sat 6.30pm/ Sun 8.00am/9.30am/5.30pm. Or just phone the Parish Office (534 8710) 9.30am-1.00pm Mon-Fri and let them know. If you forget to register just turn up at the Mass- our experience of this last year is that we will be able to include you.
(5) Is there a 5.00pm Saturday Mass OR Christmas Mass out at Beachlands?
NO, because the venue we have for Mass there is too small to allow for any sort of safe gathering. We hope normal Mass will resume there as usual on Saturday January 22nd Jan 2022.
A simple version of these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will be included inside this Sunday's Parish Bulletin when you come to Mass this weekend and on the Parish Website (www.howickcatholic.org.nz) from end of this week.
This is a strange old time for all of us, and I am feeling somewhat uncertain (as maybe you are) about how this will all go. But much more than feeling slightly anxious, I am delighted we can open God's House as we can for as many as we can, in as many different circumstances as we can.
You may well be wondering about Christmas Mass Times- we are looking forward to publishing those after the review of levels on 13th December, because after that we will know what the situation is for Christmas gatherings.
REMEMBER: The Sacrament of Confession (Reconciliation) is available this Saturday (04th December) from 8.30am-9.30am, next Tuesday and Friday from 9.45am-11.00am and next Wednesday evening (after 6.30pm Mass) from 7.00-8.00pm. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during all these times. For Confession please wear a face covering, and kneel at side of screen only- no face-to-face for health reasons!
Welcome home, and more than ever:
loving and upholding you all from here
John
We are all struggling with this temporary reality that for the common good of all in terms of public health, we must face a vaccinated/unvaccinated distinction mandated by an external agency- the Government.
Accommodating All- we are used to having different Masses for different people.
We have:-
* Different Mass times
* Mass for Youth
* Mass for School
* Mass for a Funeral, and so on.
As you can see, it is never usual for the whole community to gather at one time for Mass. So we are used to difference.
Appealing to all. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated Catholics can receive the Sacraments at all sorts of times and in all sorts of circumstances. The complexity at present is that we cannot receive them together in the same liturgical space while the Traffic Light System is in place for the protection of all. In that we are no different to other public settings like libraries and hospitality venues.
So as we open up our Church again this Friday, and especially for Sunday Mass this weekend we are all called to behave with honour, to act with a social conscience, and to be respectful of Sacred Liturgy (the Mass). If we do this with patience, kindness, and generosity towards one another we will maintain the unity of the Body of Christ even with our differences at a difficult time for us and our country.
Traffic Light Framework. So you may have some questions about what being back together will look like. Let's begin with a really simple summary of the Framework:-
RED (this is where we are in Auckland for the next two weeks at least until the Government reviews the setting on 13th December)
* Face coverings are strongly encouraged
* Using "My Vaccine Pass"- up to 100 can gather indoors based on 1m distancing
* Not using "My Vaccine Pass" - up to 25 can gather indoors based on 1m distancing
We can talk about ORANGE and GREEN at another time. Just visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website if you want to know more.
So just to say it again: Auckland is at RED for the next two weeks, which means this Sunday (05th December) and the following (12th December). I guess then we will see if we then join the rest of the country at Orange.
To help us all navigate our way through these next two weeks I have some Frequently Asked Questions:
(1) What is different about Mass this weekend?
Arriving At Church. First of all, welcome home and what a joy to have you with us. Just like all of last year you will still need to scan your phone over the QR Code on Posters in Church. And to make that much easier the QR Code is printed on front of Parish Bulletin so you can simply scan in that way. Simple as.
If you do not have a phone you still need to record your details but now just fill out the simple Contact Slip you see in attached photo and pop it in the box. No more leaving contact details on a sheet of paper for all to see!
(2) For the usual Masses in the Parish do I need a Vaccine Pass?
Vaccine Pass. for our usual weekday and Sunday Masses YES, just like going into the Library or any other hospitality venue you must have your Vaccine Pass ready if required. Probably after sighting it once- and we know most of you by sight- you will not need to keep producing it. Of course, any children under 12 years and 3 months of age do not need to be vaccinated to be at Mass with you.
No Vaccine Pass. Each WEDNESDAY at 6.30pm we will offer an OPEN Mass (no Vaccine Pass required) for those who for whatever reason cannot be vaccinated- or prefer not to say. Under RED a maximum of 25 people can attend this Mass and vaccinated and unvaccinated congregants can attend this Mass.
Other options. The Diocese offers an on-line Mass each Sunday at 2.00pm on Shine TV Free-to-Air TV Channel 25, SKY TV Channel 201, and this is uploaded each Saturday evening at 5.30pm (as per a Vigil Mass time) if you want to see it on the diocesan website (see www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz).
(4) If at Traffic Light RED there is a limit of 100 people at Mass how can I register for Mass?
Registering. Simple, just email the parish before midday Friday each week while this is necessary (office@howickcatholic.org.nz) stating:
your name and number of people (children under 12 not vaccinated are counted as part of the 100), and what Mass time you are booking for: Sat 6.30pm/ Sun 8.00am/9.30am/5.30pm. Or just phone the Parish Office (534 8710) 9.30am-1.00pm Mon-Fri and let them know. If you forget to register just turn up at the Mass- our experience of this last year is that we will be able to include you.
(5) Is there a 5.00pm Saturday Mass OR Christmas Mass out at Beachlands?
NO, because the venue we have for Mass there is too small to allow for any sort of safe gathering. We hope normal Mass will resume there as usual on Saturday January 22nd Jan 2022.
A simple version of these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will be included inside this Sunday's Parish Bulletin when you come to Mass this weekend and on the Parish Website (www.howickcatholic.org.nz) from end of this week.
This is a strange old time for all of us, and I am feeling somewhat uncertain (as maybe you are) about how this will all go. But much more than feeling slightly anxious, I am delighted we can open God's House as we can for as many as we can, in as many different circumstances as we can.
You may well be wondering about Christmas Mass Times- we are looking forward to publishing those after the review of levels on 13th December, because after that we will know what the situation is for Christmas gatherings.
REMEMBER: The Sacrament of Confession (Reconciliation) is available this Saturday (04th December) from 8.30am-9.30am, next Tuesday and Friday from 9.45am-11.00am and next Wednesday evening (after 6.30pm Mass) from 7.00-8.00pm. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during all these times. For Confession please wear a face covering, and kneel at side of screen only- no face-to-face for health reasons!
Welcome home, and more than ever:
loving and upholding you all from here
John
Resources during in Covid times
The Diocese has a number of resources available on its website to support people during this time, here. This site also has a program of events that are available in the diocese during this time.
For those at Level-2 this will be a useful resource.
A reminder that the diocese continues to provide a broadcast Sunday Mass. It is uploaded at 5.30pm Saturday night (as per a Vigil Mass time) to the Youtube channel Auckland Catholic. It is also broadcast on Shine TV Sundays at 2.00pm Free-to-air TV Channel 25, Sky TV Channel 201.
Outline of Liturgy of the Word for Sunday with links to appropriate music videos, suggestions for reflection. Accompanied by a PowerPoint for sharing from Pastoral Services Liturgy Centre.
Daily Reflections from Bishop Pat and Bishop Michael.
On-line Rosary (contact Anita to join) at 9am daily with the Cathedral of St Patrick’s and St Joseph
Lectio Divina reflecting on the daily Gospel readings (contact Anita to join) at 10.00am and 8.00pm from the team at the Cathedral Parish.
Holy Hour for our Country - Live Eucharistic Adoration | Sunday 19th September, 7pm
An hour of Eucharistic Adoration and intercessory prayer for our Nation, led by Bishop Michael - Live from Bishop Michael's Facebook Page.
For those at Level-2 this will be a useful resource.
A reminder that the diocese continues to provide a broadcast Sunday Mass. It is uploaded at 5.30pm Saturday night (as per a Vigil Mass time) to the Youtube channel Auckland Catholic. It is also broadcast on Shine TV Sundays at 2.00pm Free-to-air TV Channel 25, Sky TV Channel 201.
Outline of Liturgy of the Word for Sunday with links to appropriate music videos, suggestions for reflection. Accompanied by a PowerPoint for sharing from Pastoral Services Liturgy Centre.
Daily Reflections from Bishop Pat and Bishop Michael.
On-line Rosary (contact Anita to join) at 9am daily with the Cathedral of St Patrick’s and St Joseph
Lectio Divina reflecting on the daily Gospel readings (contact Anita to join) at 10.00am and 8.00pm from the team at the Cathedral Parish.
Holy Hour for our Country - Live Eucharistic Adoration | Sunday 19th September, 7pm
An hour of Eucharistic Adoration and intercessory prayer for our Nation, led by Bishop Michael - Live from Bishop Michael's Facebook Page.