Church leaders embrace technology to continue pastoral care

With church services impacted by social distances and congregating laws, churches have taken a giant leap forward in how they meet traditional church-going expectations.

Church has gone high-tech.

St Agnes' Parish has set up a a roadside chapel and has recorded several services while the Anglican Bishop of Grafton is providing online worship services.

While these innovative decisions are only temporary, how churchgoers respond in a post-COVID-19 world could herald a tilt in how churches present services and minister.

The Anglican Bishop of Grafton has acknowledged that it will be "very strange" with no Easter church services this year.

Bishop Murray Harvey says the church has been forced to provide alternative pastoral care due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"It will be very strange not to be able to offer public worship in the churches at Easter," Bishop Harvey said.

"Many churches have risen to the challenge by offering online worship services, some of which are live-streamed and some are prerecorded and posted on websites and streamed via Facebook and other platforms."

Anglican churches will be offering Easter services online which will reach even more people than if the buildings had been open.

The Bishop said that the message of Easter is a timeless one that has brought hope to many, even during major crises such as world wars, pandemics and disasters.

"At a time like this the church can play an important leadership role in the community by acting responsibly and following expert advice, while not getting caught up in panic and importantly caring for those around us who need it most, such as health care workers, the elderly and those who are unwell," he said.

"Yet this has created a challenge for the churches, which normally play an important role as gathering places for worship and for other community groups and organisations."

Clergy and other church workers have been busy maintaining contact with church members, especially the elderly and vulnerable who may need practical support during their isolation.

Some just need a regular check-in phone call for a chat and to maintain contact, he said.

Outreach ministries such as soup kitchens and food pantries have been maintained in order to meet increasing community need resulting from job losses and reduced income.

St Agnes' Parish Priest Father Paul Gooley says the Parish is using a mix of tradition and technology to encourage people in their faith at Easter.

He said the Parish is mindful of making it easy for people to 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," he said.

"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.

"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.

"A lot of thought has gone to assembling the chapel with just about every service area of St Agnes' Parish represented in its contents."

Ft Paul said recorded Easter services will be shared via social media, email and the Parish's 'With you for Life' video channel on the appropriate day.

These are: Thursday April 9 - Mass of our Lord's Supper celebrated by Fr Peter Wood - available from 2pm. Good Friday April 10 - 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 April 11 - Vigil Mass - Celebrated by Fr Paul Gooley and Fr Peter Wood - available from 2pm; Easter Sunday April 12 - 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 or by contacting the St Agnes' Catholic Parish at its Pastoral Office on 6583 1024.

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