WELCOME!
At this stage, the most important thing that you need to know is that
you are welcome at Sacred Heart Church.
You, along with anyone else who is searching for the Lord;
seeking for the way, the truth and the life are very welcome in our faith community.
IT’S WONDERFUL TO SEE THAT YOU ARE SEARCHING!
Before you can love someone you have to first know them, right?
The first step, is to meet the Lord; to come to know him. By knowing him, we can open our hearts to allow him to love us, and for us to respond to his love.
It’s in allowing God to love us that we really begin to flourish in our faith.
IT’S WONDERFUL TO SEE THAT YOU ARE SEARCHING!
Know that we are a community at Sacred Heart Church. That is to say, we are striving to live up to God’s calling to treat each other with the dignity and care that each person deserves.
We believe that God has a very real role in our lives and his grace binds us together in a familial way.
That he cares for us, as both a community and as individuals.
It is by his grace that we live our lives to the full.
PLAN A VISIT
We are saving a seat for you!
WHEN YOU VISIT
Visiting a new church can be intimidating: What should I wear? Where do I park? Where do my kids go? We understand the many thoughts that can come from visiting a new church, so we want you to feel completely comfortable when you visit.
Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’re looking forward to meeting you!
WEEKEND
Saturday Vigil: 6:00 PM (Sacred Heart, Mundaring)
Sunday Morning: 7.30 AM (Our Lady of Good Counsel, Chidlow) – Rosary 7am
Sunday Morning: 9:30 AM (Sacred Heart, Mundaring)
WEEKDAY
Tue: 8:30 AM (Sacred Heart, Mundaring)
Wed: 9:00 AM (Sacred Heart, Mundaring)
Thu: 8:30 AM (Sacred Heart, Mundaring)
Fri: 8:30 AM (Sacred Heart, Mundaring)
Sat: 8:30 AM (Sacred Heart, Mundaring)
Sacred Heart, Mundaring:
Saturday: 9:00 AM
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Chidlow
First Wednesdays: 12noon – 1.00pm
The Catholic Church has no particular “dress code” for attending Mass. However, the sublime nature of what we are participating in should motivate all of us to dress respectfully out of reverence for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. We also want to avoid being a distraction to our fellow worshippers, which can easily happen if some in the pews are dressed like they’re going to the beach, rather than going to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 1387) states, “To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament [the Eucharist], the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.”
We ask that men and boys be mindful to remove all headwear before entering the church.
At Sacred Heart Church, there is plenty of parking around the Church, in the neighbouring school, and behind the church in the old school basketball court.
Of course! We love it when our church is full of kids of all ages. We recognise that Sunday morning isn’t always easy, so we honour your desire to share your faith with your children and we are incredibly grateful for your bringing them (despite any challenges you may have faced in the morning)!
Please don’t feel flustered if your kids make a noise during Mass, we are a big family here and kids are kids! But if it helps, at both entrances to the church we have pencils and coloring items for children to explore during the Mass and the Sacraments.
It’s ok if they’re hungry and you would like to feed them a snack or distract them with a book or a soft toy. Sometimes feeding them before Mass is a good strategy.
It’s ok to take then outside of Mass at any point if you are trying to settle them. And it’s also ok if you would like to stay and work through it – they have a right to be there! People understand. As a parent, you know best.
Sometimes it can be charitable or considerate to others to take a minute or two outside to settle them before returning. Ultimately, you are their parent and each family is different.
Try your best to follow along by following the congregation’s movements, and do NOT worry about “getting it wrong.” God is pleased to have you here!
If you would like to know WHY we do what we do, click here for a detailed step-by-step explanation.
Communion, or The Eucharist, is the most intimate expression of our faith. Catholics believe that the host is literally the body of Christ, transformed from bread by the priest presiding over the service. Most evangelicals think of Communion as symbolic, so it makes sense that they are not as strict about having the right relationship to it as Catholics and Orthodox Christians who believe it is a sacrament and the true presence of Christ.
So, if you are not Catholic, we ask that you not receive communion. However, those not receiving the Body of Christ and Precious Blood are invited to come forward with their hands crossed over their chests for a special blessing.
If you are visiting with us, we don’t expect you to put money in the offering, and you are welcome to just let it pass you by. If you consider our parish your church home, we’d love for you to prayerfully consider giving to our parish on a weekly basis.
People “bless” themselves with Holy Water at the entrance doorways as both an invitation of God’s grace and a reminder and renewal of their own Baptism, the sacrament of entry into the Church. Genuflect is literally the latin word for “knee-bend” and people commonly genuflect as a reminder that God is truly present in the tabernacle, the beautiful container next to the red lamp.
While sometimes people need it for medical reasons, or to settle hungry and grumpy kids, it’s generally not considered respectful to bring in food, hot coffees etc. The Mass is the making-present of the Last Supper. People are invited and gathered to be fed by the “Table of the Word” (Scriptures) and the “Table of the Eucharist” (The Sacred Host and Chalice).
Just like we wouldn’t BYO when our friend has prepared a beautiful meal, it’s respectful to avoid bringing in food unnecessarily. However, if you’re a parent, you know your own children and it’s not uncommon for a snack to to be part of a parent’s strategy to help children feel more settled.
Out of respect for what God offers us, Catholics typically fast at least an hour before Communion from food and drink.
Out of respect for the importance of the Mass, unless you are a doctor on call, it’s best to switch your mobile phone off or put it on silent while in the Church, as a gesture of wanting to give God our full attention.
