Welcome to the Partnered Parishes of Sacred Heart and St Margaret Mary's.
Wednesday, 08 July 2020
Dear Parishioners,
With the returning of Stage 3 restrictions upon Melbourne Metropolitan and Mitchell Shire, all parish Masses have been suspended until further notice. However, we will continue to livestream Mass each Sunday at 10.00m via Zoom or on the Parish Facebook page.
During this time of renewed distress, anxieties and dejection, let the words of the Psalmist in today’s psalm encourage and comfort us, “Seek always the face of God.” During these days of staying at home, let us seek God’s grace in the small and ordinary things, in the small act of kindness shown to our family, friends and neighbours, in the tiny and mundane gestures that often go unnoticed but make life meaningful and hopeful.
Take care, stay well and God bless us.
Fr Binh
Monday, 1st June 2020
Dear parishioners,
In light of the recent changes to the COVID-19 restrictions, our parishes are now allowed to have a restricted number of parishioners attending Mass. If you would like to attend a Mass, please contact the parish office on 9391 1201. Parish office hours are Monday and Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm.
Sacred Heart Mass times: Wednesday & Friday at 8.00am, and Sunday at 10.00am
St Margaret Mary’s Mass times: Tuesday & Thursday at 8.00am, and Saturday at 5.30pm
Please ensure that you sanitise your hands after entering the Church and provide contact details (name and phone number).
Please only sit on the pews that have ribbons and ensure that you always keep a physical distancing of 1.5m at all times.
Please use the provided disinfectant wipes and, prior to leaving the church, dispose them in the provided bins.
Thankyou for your cooperation, keep well and God bless you.
Fr Binh & Ivana
Participate Mass online
There are now 2 ways that you can participate Sunday live stream Mass at 10.00am. You can utilise Zoom, or you can join our newly parishes created Facebook page. Please refer below on how to access either platform.
Zoom
The below link is to be used for the next 5 weeks, starting Sunday 31st of May and ending Sunday 27 of June.
Please ensure that you have the latest version of Zoom, which should be version 5.0.3. Log in prior to 10.00am and ensure that, you mute your device and turn off your Video. The Mass can then stream without any interruptions.
Join Zoom Meeting from 31/5 ending 27/6 via this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82810672971?pwd=Y0lFWkdkK3ZNanlLUWNLOXRiU1dvUT09
Meeting ID: 828 1067 2971
Password: 858773
Facebook
Prior to mass, log in Facebook and search for The Parish of St Margaret Mary’s & Sacred Heart (will show image of SMM church) and like the page. You will receive a reminder prior to the Mass commencement. Please click on the link, sit back and enjoy Mass. You will now also be able to see updates from each Parish as they are posted.
Some Practical Tips for Mass Online
1. Put God First
Make yourself available for the whole Mass. Resist the temptation to make yourself “Lord” of the Mass.
2. Prepare your Prayer Space
Look at the area where you plan to participate Mass online. Is it suitably quiet and tidy so you can pray without distraction? Can you enhance the atmosphere, e.g. light a candle or dim the room lights?
3. Prepare your body
Physical circumstances put us in the right frame of mind. While you need not put on “Mass clothes”, simple actions such as washing your face and changing into a clean shirt can help you feel refreshed and ready to pray.
Pray the Mass by making the appropriate hand gestures (e.g. signs of the Cross) even if you do not adopt the bodily postures (e.g. standing for the Gospel) or sing the hymns.
4. Be Present
Resist the urge to multitask. Close the other apps on your phones, computer, especially instant messaging. Free yourself from the slavery of always needing to feel “connected”. This is your time to connect with Christ.
5. Spiritual Communion
Since you cannot receive Holy Communion, you can pray the Spiritual Communion prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori:
“My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”
27 March 2020
Letter to Parishioners
26 March 2020
For Closed Churches
God, in one way or another, is leading us to the wounded masses. God is inviting Christians to understand that Eucharist is lived in every time and in every place, most especially when generous care is given the other, attention is focussed on the needy, time is enjoyed with persons and when on the occasion prayer is shared.
This, friends, is Eucharist. This is Jesus broken and given in all who serve, Jesus poured out in all who offer their lives and time. Don’t be afraid if the church building is closed. Be afraid rather not to see Eucharist in all of life, for it is surely there. The risen Christ is there.
So, let’s keep an eye out for each other and when we have time join us in prayer. There is no time to be lost. To live is to be blessed. Let’s live! (Fr Edmond Nixon CSsR)
25 March 2020
The Annunciation of the Lord
Online Mass and other Resources
https://melbournecatholic.org.au/News/now-what-online-mass-and-other-resources
24 March 2020
Dear parishioners,
If you are aware of any elderly parishioners (65+), who would like to receive the sacraments of Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion, please contact Ivana, our parish secretary, on 0414 936 082 or at itullio@bigpond.com and advise of their names and addresses by 7.00pm tonight (Tuesday, March 24th).
I will endeavour to visit their homes on either Wednesday (March 25th) or Thursday (March 26th), between the hour of 10.00am and noon to offer the sacraments.
Be assured of my continuous prayers at daily Mass for each one of you.
Fr Binh
20 March 2020
Dear parishioners,
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, following the instruction from the Victorian Catholic Bishops and the Prime Minister’s office, out of love and respect for the wider community and to contain the spread of the virus, Mass and public liturgies at Sacred Heart Church and at St. Margaret Mary’s Church have been suspended indefinitely.
You are encouraged to spend time in personal and family prayer, reflecting the scriptures, or participate in a Mass on line at https://melbournecatholic.org.au/Mass or at https://mass-online.org/daily-holy-mass-live-online/
Though you are not physically present, but be assured that daily Mass will be offered for your intentions and for the alleviation of this present crisis.
I encourage you not to be anxious, panic or only focus on yourselves, but let us be practical, prayerful and sensible in our dealings with each other. Let us use this time as an opportunity to connect with our family and loved ones, and to reflect what is truly important in life.
Remember the 3 actions: 1. wash your hands with soap and warm water, 2. don’t go out unless you need to and 3. don’t touch anyone unless you need to.
With every prayer and blessings,
Fr Binh
At the Partnered Parishes of Sacred Heart Newport and St Margaret Mary’s Spotswood, we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our Partnership.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and pay our respects to the Elders past and present of the Kulin Nation and we extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Holy Thursday 9 April 2020