REC Ministry

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How Lent has turned out to be very different for us all this year!  Who would have thought on Ash Wednesday that there would be no public Easter Services, that much of the world would go into lockdown and that people would be being laid off work in their thousands upon thousands in this country?

At this end of Lent, our need for prayer has become even more heightened.  Fasting now for many of us is not now about giving up coffee or chocolate, but about fasting from physical interactions, interstate and international travel and other things that perhaps we took for granted.  Now more than ever in this time of isolation, our almsgiving is needed whereby we can look out for our neighbours, calling up family and friends to check-in and simply and authentically ask the question, “How are you going?”

Easter Services

Although our churches are currently closed to the public, Fr James will be live streaming the Easter Services for the Macleay Valley via Facebook through the following link: https://www.facebook.com/macleayvalleycatholicparish.  Please note that you do not need a Facebook account to watch these.

The Easter Services that will be streamed are:

  • Holy Thursday 9 April: 6 pm Mass of the Lord's Supper
  • Good Friday 10 April: 3 pm - The Passion of the Lord Solemn Ceremonies
  • Holy Saturday 11 April: 6 pm - The Easter Vigil Mass
  • Easter Sunday 12 April: 9.30 am - Easter Sunday Mass

For those with limited internet access, Channel 7 will be broadcasting Easter Services LIVE from St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.  The Lord’s Passion at 3 pm on Good Friday and Easter Sunday Mass from 10.30 am will be televised across the country on Channel 7, Prime 7 in regional areas and live-streamed on 7plus.  Both liturgies will be broadcast commercial-free and in their entirety.

Spiritual Resources During the Pandemic

There are lots of resources available on the internet to help support you and your family’s spiritual journey during this time.  The Macleay Valley Catholic Parish website has a number of good resources, which are being added to weekly.  I would commend these to your viewing.  They can be accessed easily via: https://www.mvcp.org.au/

As well, I will endeavour to make available some beneficial resources for you as the weeks (and most likely months) progress.  There is a page published in this newsletter with some resources for you, courtesy of the Parish.

I hope and pray that you and your family all have a happy and Holy Easter, and that you are able to engage in the deep solemnity and JOY of the Easter Season.  In our current world where so much has been taken away, we have a wonderful opportunity to be thankful to God for the JOY of the Easter story, namely the gift of new life that comes from Jesus' resurrection!

Please contact me if you have any questions about or ideas for ministry and evangelisation at the College.

Mr Dominic MacAndrews - Leader of Evangelisation