Serving the community during COVID-19

The coronavirus is having an impact on all Province ministries. However, many are also responding in creative ways to the shutdowns, looking for ways to support and connect with communities at this challenging time.  

Here are some of the things that are available. Please share them with those who might like to participate in them.

Online Mass and pastoral support

• Mass on Demand (St Francis Xavier Church, Lavender Bay): https://www.youtube.com/user/cathnews
  
  
• Sunday Mass in Polish online celebrated by Fr Tony Slowik SJ: http://jezuici.org.au/
  
  
• Mass at Newman College in Melbourne is being live-streamed each day. Find all the details here. 
  
  
• Fr Frank Brennan’s Sunday homilies from Newman College via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/frank-brennan-6
  
  
• Homily notes from Fr Brendan Byrne SJ, Gospel reflections and Prayers for the People for each Sunday, from the Australian Catholics website or via the weekly Parish Life e-newsletter: https://www.australiancatholics.com.au/parish_signup.aspx
  
  
• Star of the Sea Kirribili is mobilising community members who can offer support, and those who need support. It is also offering the opportunity to join in Sunday 8am shared prayer online through Zoom. Details here: https://soskirribilli.com/index.php

• From Hawthorn Catholic Parish, video updates and Gospel reflections from Fr Des Dwyer SJ on Youtube.
  
  
• NEW: Parishes are finding fun ways to engage the younger members of the community during these times. The Jesuit community at St Ignatius Parish in Norwood, South Australia, was given a toy chicken to spread Easter joy. Children from the parish were invited to put forward suggestions for the name. ‘Eggnatius’ now has his own prayer space in the community. Meanwhile, Toowong parish is running an online ‘Colour Club’ for children. Read more here. 

Education

• Jesuit and Jesuit Companion schools across Australia have been working to support students and families transitioning to remote learning during the coronavirus shutdowns. This video from John XXIII College has some helpful ideas and advice for parents of primary aged students.
  
  
• Australian Catholics magazine is opening up free trial access to its digital resource hub (AC+) to Catholic schools, and will be provide webinars for new and existing subscribers to AC+ explaining how to find, access and use the resources.
  
  
• The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services has developed engaging learning sessions available online for students and teachers. Topics include The Man Box research, highlighting the negative health outcomes for adolescent boys that live by the Man Box rules, healthier masculinities and relationships, emotional intelligence, stress reduction, and bystander activation. These sessions have been designed to align with the Victorian Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships Curriculum although they also have relevance outside Victoria.
  https://jss.org.au/what-we-do/the-mens-project/for-schools/ 
  
  
• Jesuit Social Services’ Just Voices Speakers Program are rethinking the way they deliver presentations. While they cannot hold events in person for the time being, our social justice speakers can create inspiring ‘live chat’ presentations for virtual delivery. Contact them for more information: www.justvoices.org.

Social ministries

• Jesuit Refugee Service are asking for donations of funds and essential food and hygiene items for families they serve, and have also launched an emergency cash appeal, and are commencing mobile foodbanks and dropoffs to refugees and people seeking asylum. Click here for more details: https://www.jrs.org.au/jesuit-refugee-service-jrs-australia-to-serve-refugees-and-people-seeking-asylum-in-need-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
  
  
• The Cardoner Project Community Cantina (currently closed) will be used as a ‘collection point’ for food drops to support the JRS food appeal. 
  
  
• On April 1, Canice’s Kitchen kicked off a lunch service for anyone affected by homelessness or in need of support during the pandemic. Lunch service will run from 11am -12pm from our Roslyn Gardens gates – 28 Roslyn St Elizabeth Bay. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/caniceskitchen/photos/a.474310863011792/887138575062350/
  Canice’s Kitchen is also raising money to support its kitchen during this time. You can donate to their initiative here: https://canices-kitchen-emergency-fund.raisely.com/
   
• Jesuit Mission Australia is providing updates on the impact of COVID-19 on its programs around the world. It has also established an online ‘field hospital’ to provide spiritual readings, prayers and online liturgies during this time. 
  
  
• NEW: A generous donation from parishioners at Our Lady of the Way in North Sydney has helped keep the shelves stocked at the Ignite Food Store in Emerton after their supply chains were disrupted due to COVID-19. There are a number of ways people can support the Ignite Food Store during the COVID-19 shutdowns, including donating money and food. Read more here. 

Sevenhill Cellars

• The Cellar Door at Sevenhill Cellars has closed due to social distancing measures. However Sevenhill has offered special ‘family and friends’ pricing on orders of its great range of wines until the end of April. The deal includes free freight on dozens to anywhere in Australia. Get your orders in today using this form and please spread the word among family and friends

Communications

• Fr Richard Leonard SJ and the Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting have put together a list of recent films that might make good viewing for people in lockdown. Read more here: https://www.catholic.org.au/film-reviews-2020/films-for-a-lockdown

Spirituality

• Fr Richard Shortall SJ offered an online Easter Week retreat from the Diocese of Hamilton in New Zealand. You can find the daily reflections, including videos, here: https://www.cdh.org.nz/holy-week-retreat
  
  
• One-to-one spiritual direction, Spiritual Exercises in all forms including the First Spiritual Exercises are available using online platforms such as FaceTime, Skype and Zoom. For enquiries, please contact Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia at (02) 9488 4597. They can also offer practical assistance with using technology, creating and joining online meeting spaces and ongoing connections across the spirituality ministry.
  
  
• Online mission formation for staff and volunteers in Jesuit ministries can also be organised through Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia at the above number and Frances Tilly directly at frances.tilly@sjasl.org.au.
  
  
• Jesuit Communications has published a 14-day online retreat for people experiencing social isolation due to coronavirus. 
  
  
• The Jesuit Asia Pacific Conference has posted some resources on ‘Praying in a time of pandemic, including English language resources from the Philippines and Vietnam.