CELEBRATING 160 YEARS OF
FAITH COMMUNITY IN THE HAWKESBURY
WELCOME
We welcome you to the Parish of Richmond, the largest geographical Parish in the Parramatta Diocese, encompassing/comprising St Monica's Richmond, St Gregory's Kurrajong and St John of God North Richmond. Embracing our rich heritage and faith tradition and grounded in the love of Christ we strive through our deeds to bring about the kingdom of God in Faith, Hope & Charity.
The original foundation stone for St Monica's was laid in January 1859 and we are proud to have families in their seventh and eighth generations still active in our Parish.
WE ENDEAVOUR TO BE:
A living and nurturing community, expressing Christ's presence among us
A nourishing community of faith and prayer
A welcoming community of hospitality and outreach
A compassionate community of healing and pastoral care
UPDATE FROM THE PARISH TEAM
It is now six months since our world changed and we began to live our daily lives governed by frequently changing government rules and regulations and the principle of social distancing in response to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
We are now in a difficult phase of the pandemic because on one hand, some general activities continue to return to some semblance of normality, however on the other hand there is a great deal of anxiety and concern about community transmission. As individuals, this leaves us balancing a return to some normal behaviours whilst ensuring that, more than ever, we must continue to educate and remind ourselves about behaviours and practices that limit the spread of COVID-19 to ultimately protect the health and lives of those we come in contact with.
At parish level we ask you all to continue praying with the power of faith for those who have died, who are sick or at risk from COVID 19. We look forward to the time when the crisis will pass and we will be able to resume fully our regular parish masses, ceremonies, worship and activities whilst recognising that all may not be what it used to be and the landscape may be forever changed.
We thank you most sincerely for your co-operation, patience and goodwill throughout these unprecedented and challenging times and for following the advice and guidelines we have communicated. Your actions, support and willingness to embrace the sometimes difficult and confusing ongoing changes with a positive response is gratifying. Safety is our number one priority.
God bless you all.
COVID-19 & Our Parish
To attend WEEKDAY MASSES at St Monica's Richmond no booking is required.
To participate at WEEKEND MASSES, online registration is required, this can be done via the REGISTER FOR MASS link below or through our Facebook page
Please note, one registration for one individual only. e.g. A family of eight fills in eight registration forms. Once the quota at each mass has been reached Google forms will not accept more bookings. In which case you may try another mass time or venue.
Mass bookings are printed by 3pm on Friday, so if you register before then you will be on the list at the Church door and all you have to do is sign against your name upon arrival.
If you register after 3pm Friday, simply write your name at the door of the Church if space on the sign-in sheets is available.
Current Directives
The NSW Government announced from Friday the 24th of July 2020
The number of people in a public place of worship must not exceed 100 people, subject to the 4 square metre square rule.
St Monica's Richmond Maximum capacity 100 people.
St Gregory's Kurrajong Maximum capacity 28 people.
FAQs
Yes, churches in NSW are open under the four-square-metre rule, with up to 100 people allowed inside churches at any one time. Online booking is required to attend Weekend Masses, no booking is required for Weekday Masses.
We ask that parishioners not attend Mass (even if you have booked) if you are feeling unwell in anyway.
Social distancing is in place throughout all areas of our church in line with government recommendations and our COVID-19 safety plan. Pews have been taped off and seats have been removed to meet Government requirements at this time. Signage is provided at the entrance and on seats and flooring for parishioner’s guidance.
- Practice good hygiene, sanitize your hands before entering the church and wipe your area with the wipes provided.
- Ensure you sign in upon arrival, to assist with contact tracing.
- Observe social distancing at all times people of the same household may sit together.
- You must only sit in the church pews which have not been cordoned off at this time.
- Please take the parish bulletin home do not leave it in the Church or return it to the basket.
- Do not mingle when leaving the Church.
- Holy water has been removed from the entrances of the Church.
- Congregational singing is not allowed at this time.
- Holy Communion will only be distributed in the hand. We ask when approaching to receive Holy Communion that you do so in single file to ensure social distancing.
- Passing of collection plates has been suspended. Clearly marked collection boxes have been placed at the entrance's for contributions towards the 1st & 2nd collections, we also have online donation facilities available through our website.
- The Sign of Peace has been suspended at this time.
Following the current NSW Health advice, we highly recommend you wear a mask to, during and from Mass in addition to physical distancing.
Yes. The First Rite of Confession is available Saturdays at 9.30am at St. Gregory’s and 5.30pm at St. Monica’s.
Yes. Please contact the parish office for further details or to book in.
Yes. From 24 July, A maximum of 100 people can attend a church wedding service subject to the four-square metre rule, whichever is the lesser. Please contact the parish office for further details.
Yes. From 24 July, up to 100 people can attend a funeral Mass, subject to the four-square metre rule whichever is the lesser.
All but priests continue for the time being to be dispensed from attending Sunday Mass, but those who are at low risk of infection and able to do so are exhorted to take all reasonable steps to attend Sunday Mass.
If you are unable to attend, you can keep Sunday holy by setting aside some time for prayer at home, reading the Scriptures of the day, watching Mass on television or online and asking God for the graces you would normally receive in Holy Communion.
Good deeds will live beyond your lifetime with a gift in Will to your parish and faith community. After providing for your family and loved ones, please consider sharing God's blessings with future generations.
Thanksgiving Offertory
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Your gift supports our parish to share Christ's message of love and salvation with all
CONTACT
Parish Office:
1A Bourke Street, Richmond, NSW 2753
Phone: 02 4578 1410
Parish Office Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:30 - 4:00pm
ST GREGORY'S
5 Old Bells Line of Road
Kurrajong, NSW 2758
ST MONICA'S
Cnr Windsor St & Bourke St
Richmond, NSW 2753
ST JOHN OF GOD
177 Grose Vale Road
North Richmond, NSW 2753