Dear De Mazenod Family,
It is with great sadness we have received instructions from the Bishops to suspend all public liturgies, including celebrations of the Mass, until further notice.
While this is difficult and devastating for us as a people that define ourselves through the celebration of the Eucharist, especially as we move towards Easter Season, it is a measured and correct response to the current escalating seriousness of COVID-19.
What we are being asked to do is so counterintuitive to our human nature: in challenging times we want to gather and support one another. We need to find new and creative ways to do this. The Oblate hope is to be live streaming Mass from Camberwell and special events, and to be putting other resources online. These will be available at www.oblates.com.au.
We are living through unprecedented times.
I know for myself my mood has shifted in these days from a degree of disappointment and frustration because I have had to make changes to my plans (which my character type doesn’t naturally like doing), to a degree of concern and unease at not knowing what the future may hold. It seems for the first time in my life, and maybe in the lives of many who have lived surrounded by wasteful abundance, we don’t know what the immediate future holds. I think the humble roll of toilet paper is somewhat symbolic of this tension, a creature comfort unimaginable to live without. It reminds us that our hearts and minds have been filled with false hope that we are in control.
Our modern society wants to play god with everything, stockpiling weapons to be the strongest, curing every disease and living forever, having a right to have everything on demand and having the money to solve every problem. We want to be in control and we pretty much think we are in control, yet, a tiny microscopic virus seems to have put everything on hold.
While we must be prudent and follow every Government direction, we cannot be paralysed by fear. Many people will be paralysed by fear and panic because for them, there is no life beyond the present and no real meaning to life. This contagious extreme secularism pervades our community. I pray that as people of faith we can be a people of hope. While the formal celebration of the Eucharist is suspended, we are the living Eucharist, looking beyond ourselves and our own needs to be the presence of God in our world. Part of the journey of faith is a sense of surrender, living with mystery and not having all the answers; otherwise it would be science and not faith.
In moments like this, the Gospel that comes to mind is the account of the disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee when a sudden storm risks sinking their boat. After exhausting their abilities to save themselves, they become paralysed by fear and remember that Jesus is there amongst them on the boat sleeping. “Save us, Lord, we are lost! And he said to them “Why are you so frightened you who have so little faith?” (Matt 8:24-35). Let us never forget that in the midst of all of this Jesus is amongst us.
It is important that you know that the Oblates will continue to celebrate the Eucharist privately in our communities, for your intentions. The Oblates remain committed to serving the Mazenod Community, and will be available to support families through anointing of the sick and other pastoral needs as they arise.
Be assured of my prayers.
God bless
Fr Christian Fini OMI