Sunday 20 September 2020

Back to Mass

 

The parish diversity flag.

Today marked our return to weekly mass for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. We could have resumed attendance a little earlier, but my bride’s compromised immune system, as a consequence of her cancer treatment delayed things somewhat.

It was a very different experience. No longer are parishioners sitting in rows. Each person’s chair is positioned in a pre-determined location, a metre and a half separated from his/her fellow parishioner.

You have to provide sign on details on arrival, and are issued a basic ID card. There is no longer a procession of readers and celebrant at the beginning of mass, and the sign of peace is now gestural rather than physical.

Today’s gospel was relevant to the times. Matthew’s parable of the labourers in the vineyard was used by our priest as a metaphor for Jobkeeper. If you don’t get the connection, read the gospel.

I hadn’t realised how much this weekly observance has become part of our lives until it was inaccessible for a few months. The last time I had gone for months without mass was in Vietnam. That was over half a century ago.

Whilst I’m blogging about the church, it’s timely to link to the bishops’ letter about the upcoming state election.


The Bishops’ statement highlights a number of key issues that Catholics may wish to consider as they prepare to participate in the State Election.

These include:

  • combatting homelessness
  • support for survivors of child sexual abuse
  • dignity of employment, a just living wage and combating poverty
  • healthcare, especially in regional and remote areas
  • funding for Catholic schooling
  • Closing the Gap between Indigenous Queenslanders and the rest of the population
  • euthanasia, assisted suicide and the need for increased access to palliative care
  • providing for sustainable, quality aged care services which provide older people and their families with choice and control
  • an increase in the incidence of mental health issues, especially amongst young people
  • support for women and families, including the great challenge many women face when confronted an unexpected or difficult pregnancy
  • responses to rising levels of family and domestic violence
  • the need for a ‘new universal solidarity’ to combat climate change.
The eighth point on the statement, referencing quality aged care services, has been thrown into stark relief by the pandemic.

Comments closed.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did anyone mention to the Bishops that CAGW does not exist?
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

The Bishops haven't asked parishioners to consider the forced abandonment of church attendance under threat of armed police intervention.
Looks like the Catholic Church supports a police state.
That is very disturbing.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

It must be very disturbing for the blogger that the Bishops have not included a 50-year-old fixation on conscription as something to consider when voting.
There must be tens of thousands of ex-diggers just chomping at the bit to vote Labor today because of Vietnam. (sarc)
John Grey

1735099 said...

Some light reading -
https://www.pnas.org/content/113/48/13791.short
https://journals.ametsoc.org/jcli/article/15/1/117/29610

1735099 said...

The Bishops haven't asked parishioners to consider the forced abandonment of church attendance under threat of armed police intervention.
The Catholic bishops in Victoria, like the leaders of all the other churches, are solidly behind the government's strategies - https://www.catholic.org.au/coronavirus
Unlike the conspiracy nutters who bloviate on Catallaxy.

Anonymous said...

Thank you blogger for supporting my position - the Catholic church agrees with the suppression of church attendance under pain of fines levied by armed police.
Obviously that is sweet music to your communist ears.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

The conspiracy nutters you refer to have again smashed your anti-conscription narrative.
It must be hard being wrong all the time.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

I see you are posting on Catallaxy your crazy theory that America didn't elect Trump democratically.
Thats some weird juju you are smoking.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

The bishops seem to be saying "here are some issues" and for parishioners to make up their own minds, whereas the Pope is all in favour of combatting the non-existent climate change.
Looks like a schism in the Church.
Of course the blogger supports any authoritarian decrees no matter the topic.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

I wonder why the bishops don't mention the lockdown as an issue worth considering.
I know the blogger supports draconian measures, but for the issue to be ignored is mind boggling.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

It was great to see President Trump pull the US out of the Paris Accord, given that the whole global warming scam will come crashing down soon.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

Lancet supports Hydroxychloroquine.
Chalk another win up to President Trump.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

"Collaborators in our faith".
Actor Jim Caviezel speaking about priests and bishops who have failed to speak-out in the face of the Cancel Culture, closed churches, and the Judases of religion.
His movie "Infidel" looks like a good show.
I would add that many alleged Christians who support lockdowns are also collaborators.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

No Mass for the blogger in Vietnam? Surely there was plenty of opportunity during his many months in the safety of the Q store.
Still, it was 5 decades ago and the old fogey has forgotten.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

Just because the blogger has no skin in the game doesn't mean he can't have sympathy for all those suffering under lockdowns across Australia. But he couldn't care.
His support of police state activity is a direct line to his pro-totalitarian mind set.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

I note the Parish diversity flag only refers to geographic diversity.
Shame on them for ignoring the world of intersectionality.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amusing to watch a senile old man descend into dementia - the blogger's memories of some months in the safety of the Q Store 50 years ago are far more visible to him than the sacrilege of being forced out of his Church just this year.
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

1735099
It's pleasing to see you ignoring this twisted and obsessed person.
I don't know why you let him post on your lovely site.
Maree

Anonymous said...

From the Catholic Weekly:
"Premier Daniel Andrews explained on Monday that the ‘reason’ churches are not able to open in the same way as restaurants is because churches ‘are not licensed or formally registered like restaurants’.

This has nothing to do with the best scientific health advice and is an egregious affront to people of faith."
Still support all aspects of the lockdown?
John Grey.

Anonymous said...

"It's pleasing to see you ignoring this twisted and obsessed person."
Maree, he isn't ignoring - he just hasn't have any answers.
John Grey.

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