News and Events Weekly Update

Stay in touch with what's happening across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond.
Way of Mercy: The Mercy Cross and Relics of Mother Teresa and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop were at the launch of Migrant & Refugee Week at the All Saints of Africa Centre in August. Photo: Diocese of Parramatta/Art in Images.

CatholicCare Choices NDIS Information Day: 7 September

In the Diocese of Parramatta, CatholicCare Choices is holding an information day on the National Disability Insurance Scheme: NDIS and YOU – Your Questions Answered. From 10am-4pm on Wednesday 7 September, Shop 3/163 Macquarie Road, Springwood. There is no charge but bookings are preferred tel (02) 8822 2222, choices@ccss.org.au

The Way of Mercy

Pope Francis has called for a more merciful and inclusive church in “which we are all called to give consolation to each man and each woman of our time”. In response, the relics of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata accompanied by a 3.7m high wooden Mercy Cross are on a pilgrimage through the Diocese of Parramatta.

September 2016 itinerary

Monday 5 September, Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead, canonisation of Mother Teresa celebrations, www.sacredheartwestmead.com.au

Sunday 11 September, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes, tel (02) 9631 8135, join us on Facebook,  www.olqp.org.au

Saturday 17 September, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1 Canyon Road, Baulkham Hills, tel (02) 9639 8385.

Sunday 18 September, St Michael’s Parish, 1 Chapel Lane, Baulkham Hills, tel (02) 9639 0598.

To find out more about the Way of Mercy and dates when the Mercy Cross and Relics are coming to a parish near you, click here or send an email to the Pastoral Planning Office.

Campion College Australia 10th Anniversary: 11 September

This year Campion College is proud to be celebrating 10 years since it welcomed the first intake of students. Everyone is invited to a 10th Anniversary Celebration Mass at 11am on Sunday 11 September in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Inquiries tel (02) 9896 9318, foundation@campion.edu.au

Chorus & Fanfare at St Finbar’s: 11 September

A wonderful afternoon concert presented by the Sydney Welsh Choir and the Blue Mountains Concert Band starts 2.30pm in St Finbar’s Church, 46 Levy St, Glenbrook. Tickets at the door: adults $20, concession $15. Inquiries tel (02) 4739 0384.

Holy Hour for Vocations: 15 September

Everyone is welcome to join the Holy Hour for Vocations from 7pm-8pm for adoration, prayer, music and quiet time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Plc, Parramatta.

Jesuit Mission Indian Bazaar: 17 September

This annual fundraiser supports Jesuit Mission’s work in some of the most marginalised communities in the world, in places like Timor Leste, Cambodia, Myanmar, India and Malawi. Your support of the great work of Jesuits immersed in these communities enables families in the poorest parts of the globe to have access to the basics of life: clean drinking water, food, healthcare and education. To donate gifts for the bazaar, please contact Meg Morrison tel (02) 9955 8585, or send an email to communityengagement@jesuitmission.org.au From 8.30am-4.30pm at St Ignatius’ College Riverview, 1 Tambourine Bay Rd, Lane Cove. For more information about the work of Jesuit Mission click here. Join Jesuit Mission on Facebook.

Celebrating the Journey Mass & Lunch: 18 September

This annual gathering for older married couples and their families is hosted by CatholicCare Social Services. Mass at 11am in St Patrick’s Cathedral with lunch afterwards in the Cathedral Hall. All married couples and their families are welcome with special acknowledgement to couples who have significant wedding anniversaries of 25+ years. RSVP 8 September through your parish office or CatholicCare tel (02) 8822 2222, marriage@ccss.org.au

Australian Catholic Women’s Colloquium: 17-18 September

The colloquium theme, ‘Women as Witnesses to the Joy of Gospel’, will set the scene for theological and pastoral reflection on Pope Francis’ call to “create still broader opportunities for a more inclusive female presence in the Church”. (Evangelii Gaudium 103). The keynote addresses and workshops will examine this theme and consider the issues facing women in the family, women in the Church and women in society. An initiative of the Council for Australian Catholic Women. The venue is Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney. Further information: www.cacwcolloquium.org.au

12th National eConference on Mercy – A Way of Being in the World: 20 September

The Broken Bay Institute, in partnership with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, delivers the eConferences to people across Australia and the globe. The next eConference will commemorate the Jubilee Year of Mercy and take up Pope Francis’ invitation to explore this central element of our faith. Speakers: Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane and Member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; Sr Veronica Lawson RSM, Scripture scholar and author of the highly praised book, The Blessing of Mercy; Phil Glendenning, Director of the Edmund Rice Centre and President of the Refugee Council of Australia. The Institute for Mission at Blacktown will be a host site, from 10.30am-2.45pm, to book send an email to: connect@ifm.org.au For more information and individual registrations, click here

Bishop Manning Lecture 2016: 20 September

This year’s lecture will be delivered by Melinda Tankard Reist. ‘Why sex is not work: Stories from the sex trade. How should we respond?’ The Bishop Manning Lecture is a leading Church forum hosted by the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations in celebration of the significant pastoral and social justice achievements of Bishop Kevin Manning. Arrive 5.30pm for a 6pm start, Kirribilli Club, 11 Harbourview Crescent, Lavender Bay. Drinks and canapĂ©s will be served following the lecture. Tickets are free but places are strictly limited. Registrations essential, click here. 

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend: 23-25 September

Relationship enrichment for married couples at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville. Book online at www.wwme.org.au or contact Bill and Ardell Sharpe tel (02) 4283 3435, wsharpe@bigpond.net.au

RCIA 2016 – Foundations and Pathways with Nick Wagner: 24 September

The Office for Worship will be hosting Nick Wagner, author and producer of TEAMRCIA USA, for one day at Parramatta. All parish RCIA teams and those who want to learn more about the RCIA process are invited to attend this conference. From 9am-3pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral Precinct, 1 Marist Plc, Parramatta. Cost: $50 parish team (five members); $20 individuals. To register your parish team or as an individual, send an email to the Office for Worship or tel (02) 8838 3456.

Social Justice Sunday: 25 September

In Australia, we celebrate Social Justice Sunday on 25 September. This year, the Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement is entitled, A Place at the Table: Social justice in an ageing society. The statement celebrates the value and dignity of older people in Australian life. It challenges us to recognise their significant contribution to society and emphasises that this contribution should not be valued in mere economic terms. The statement calls for justice for those who are most vulnerable and warns about a view of older people as burdensome or dispensable.

Everyone is welcome to the diocesan launch of the statement, which will take place at Sacred Heart Parish, 18 Inconstant St, Blackheath, commencing with Mass at 9.30am followed by a cuppa and the launch from 11am-noon. To order copies of the statement and to downloaded free resources prepared by the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, tel (02) 8306 3499 or visit: www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au

Come and See: 25 September

The Sister Disciples of the Divine Master warmly invite young women aged between 18 and 30 years who would like to learn more about the consecrated life as a religious sister to ‘Come and See’. The day will begin with the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration at 10am, followed by other activities, shared lunch and conclude with Benediction at 4pm. We’re looking forward, with joy, to welcoming you. Our convent is at: 55 Broughton Rd, Strathfield. RSVP: tel (02) 9764 2860 or (02) 9764 6648, or send an email to nswvoc@pddm.org.au

Meet the Catenians

Strengthening the spiritual and social lives of Catholic men through faith-based friendship. Visitors are made welcome at:

Castle Hill Circle, 7pm on the 4th Tuesday each month, St Joseph’s Conference Centre, MacKillop Drive, Baulkham Hills. Contact: Peter Huby 0411 394 844.

City of Parramatta Circle, 7pm on the 3rd Thursday each month, Lachlan’s at Old Government House, Parramatta Park. Contact: Michael Tan mgtan@tpg.com.au

Mount St Benedict’s Pennant Hills Reunion: 8 October

Bennie’s Girls Class of ’76 (or ’74 if you got out earlier). Class reunion on 8 October 2016. Please contact Ann Jackson tel 0407 236 724. Beth Mees tel 0408 416 174.

Save the date: Domremy College Five Dock Class of ’76 – 40 Year Reunion: 15 October

Come and reminisce about our Domremy days and please spread the word. From noon at the Metropolitan Hotel, cnr Bridge & George Streets, Sydney. Food and drink at own expense. For further information, please send an email to Maree Collis (nee Burling).

Diocesan Family Sunday: 23 October

Theme: ‘Family – An Oasis of Mercy’. Afternoon family gathering with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv and Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. From 2pm-5pm at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents, 8 Greyfriar Place, Kellyville. Be part of the Way of Mercy with the Mercy Cross and relics of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and St Teresa of Kolkata. Hosted by the Life, Marriage & Family & Office, Parramatta. Family Sunday will be celebrated at Masses throughout the Diocese of Parramatta. Inquiries tel (02) 8838 3441, email lmf@parra.catholic.org.au

For more events please go to: http://parracatholic.org/events/

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