Even though the doors of its churches and chapels are closed, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish is using a mix of tradition and technology to encourage people in their faith at Easter and during the COVID19 lockdown.

Parish Priest of St Agnes’ Parish, Fr Paul Gooley, says the Parish is being very mindful of making it easy for people connect with their faith while maintaining social distancing and adhering to public health instructions.

“Needless to say, it is a very challenging time for our Parish community as we come to terms with the temporary closure of our churches and chapels but we are a resilient bunch and we are already finding ways to adapt to this new situation,” says Fr Paul.

“On the technology side, Fr Peter Wood and I have recorded services for The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Stations of the Cross and the Easter Vigil Mass so people can participate in our Easter Services without having to leave their home,” says Fr Paul.

“Another innovation is the development outside St Agnes’ Church in Hay Street of a roadside chapel, a tradition popular in many countries across Europe,” he adds.

“The outdoor roadside chapel is designed to give people the opportunity to pull up in front of St Agnes’ Church, say a quick prayer without getting out of their car, then drive on to do their essential shopping, and so forth, ” says Fr Paul.

“A lot of thought has gone to assembling the chapel with just about every service area of St Agnes’ Parish represented in its contents,” enthuses Fr Paul.

“For example, lectern and altar are from O’Reilly House (the former Sisters of St Joseph convent), the cross is from the sacristy of the Church, the statue of St Agnes’ is from the Church’s side chapel, and the carpet tiles have come from each of different service entities around the Parish.”

The recorded Easter Services will be shared via social media, email and the Parish’s ‘With you for Life’ video channel (https://withyouforlife.org.au/) on the appropriate day at the following times:

Holy Thursday, 9 April

Mass of our Lord’s Supper celebrated by Fr Peter Wood – available from 2pm

Good Friday, 10 April

Stations of the Cross with Fr Peter Wood – available from 6am

Good Friday Mass broadcast from St Mary’s Cathedral on Channel 7 at 3pm

Easter Saturday, 11 April

Vigil Mass – Concelebrated by Fr Paul Gooley and Fr Peter Wood – available from 2pm

Easter Sunday, 12 April

Mass broadcast from St Mary’s Cathedral on Channel 7 at 10.30am

People can join the Parish email distribution list to receive these and other Parish communications via their website (www.stagnesparish.org.au) or by contacting the St Agnes’ Catholic Parish at its Pastoral Office on 02 6583 1024.

The St Agnes’ Catholic Parish roadside chapel, pictured here decked out in the liturgical colours of Palm Sunday, is set up and ready for ‘drive-by’ prayers.