Catholic churches around Wagga and the region will keep their doors open despite coronavirus concerns impacting their regular service routines.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the nature of the virus changing rapidly though, apostolic administrator's delegate Reverend Kevin O'Reilly told The Daily Advertiser advice could not yet be given to attendees on how the Octave of Easter might be affected.
"We don't know what protocols will come into effect before Easter," Father O'Reilly said.
"We're trying to live from day-to-day and live in hope because that is the basis of our faith."
Related:
The Archbishop of Canberra Goulburn Christopher Prowse, who oversees the Diocese of Wagga in the absence of a bishop, encouraged parish attendees not to forsake the gathering together even as distance is enforced.
"The Diocese of Wagga Wagga will implement these requirements stringently and update our people in the days ahead as new requirements are published," Archbishop Prowse said.
"All Catholics are released from their Sunday obligation to attend Mass during these troubled times.
"At the same time, we want to reassure our people of our spiritual closeness to them in this troubled time which generates so much fear, concern and anxiety.
"We have advised our people to participate in the Masses and prayers online as appropriate."
Meanwhile, some traditions and rituals will be impacted by new regulations, particularly with regards to the Eucharist.
Distributed to the faithful attendees this week was a revised list of restrictions for the taking of the sacrament, that includes an appeal for "no touching at the sign of peace", and to administer Holy Communion "in the hand. No Communion on the tongue".
Father O'Reilly said the latter had become a regular consideration at daily and weekly mass, but that some still preferred the more traditional approach.
"We've asked that those who prefer Communion on the tongue now receive it in the hand," he said.
"There have been some who object but they're getting used to it."
For the past two weeks, school-based Mass has been suspended in Wagga to avoid bringing too students many into close contact at one time.
Rituals that require larger gatherings or closer contact, including First Holy Communion, First Penance, Confirmation and the Second Rite of Penance, have also been suspended at this time.
To comply with restrictions on gatherings of more than 100 people, Wagga's Catholic churches will begin holding six services on a Sunday beginning this weekend.
The hope is that this will effectively spread out the attendance numbers by encouraging smaller congregations.
It is of particular concern for larger parish congregations such as the one at St Michael's Cathedral, which regularly welcomes over 300 worshipers.
The cathedral will continue its usual weekday Mass at 7am, and will keep its doors open until the usual time of 5pm, unless otherwise directed.
Attendees who are ill or over the age of 75 have also been asked to refrain from attending the gathering to avoid contracting the virus.
"When we are guided by our authorities to do so, we will resume our regular program, and that is when we're directed that it's safe to resume," Father O'Reilly said.