News & Events Weekly Update

News & Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond.
Everyone is welcome to the St Patrick's Family Festival on Saturday 18 March in the grounds of St Patrick's Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta.

Holy Hour for Vocations: 16 March 2017

Everyone is welcome to join the Holy Hour for Vocations from 7.00pm-8.00pm for an hour of adoration, prayer, music and quiet time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta. For information about priesthood in the Diocese of Parramatta and Holy Spirit Seminary, please contact Fr John Paul Escarlan, Director of Priestly Vocations, vocations@parra.catholic.org.au

We’re hiring! 3 positions in the Diocese of Parramatta

The Diocese of Parramatta is seeking applications for three positions: Facilities Management Coordinator and Property Officer located in Parramatta; Parish Secretary at St Finbar’s Parish located at Glenbrook. For further details, click here. Applications for these positions close on Monday 27 March 2017. Only candidates with the right to work in Australia and who are prepared to undergo appropriate background checks should apply.

Diocesan News & Events in 2017

The Diocese of Parramatta is developing an app to help you keep in touch with what is happening in the Catholic Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. You will be able to find the latest news, events and local Mass times. To sign up to be the first to know when the app is released, click here. You can also keep up-to-date with news and events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond by subscribing to Catholic Outlook’s website to receive daily updates, click here.

St Patrick’s Family Festival: 18 March 2017

This festival is organised by the Life, Marriage & Family Office in the Diocese of Parramatta and will be held from 2pm-5pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral Precinct, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta. The Irish themed event will include live entertainment, food, rides for all ages and a historical display about the contribution the Irish have made to our Diocese. The event will also raise awareness about the World Meeting of Families taking place in Dublin next year and raise funds for families to be able to attend. All are welcome! For more information, click here. Anyone interested in volunteering to help run stalls, prepare food, assist with crowd management and other duties tel (02) 8838 3441, lmf@parra.catholic.org.au

Formation for Young Adults at Mount Schoenstatt: 19 March 2017

For young adults aged 18-35 – Love of Mary. Love of the Church. Love of the Mission of Christ. Want to know what it means to be human? Want to become an authentic Christian? If Yes, then join us for formation in the Schoenstatt Spirituality. On the 3rd Sunday of every month, noon-3pm, please bring a plate to share for lunch. Mount Schoenstatt, 230 Fairlight Road, Mulgoa. Further details tel (02) 4773 8338.

24 Hours for the Lord – Living Water @ Schoenstatt Shrine: 24-25 March 2017

Come and spend some time with Our Lord and His Mother in the Schoenstatt Shrine during this very special 24 hours. This annual gathering will begin with Holy Mass at 6pm on Friday 24 March 2017 and finish with Holy Mass at 5pm on Saturday 25 March 2017. Reflection and music every hour for 30 minutes following by silent prayer. Reconciliation available. Accommodation at the retreat house is available for anyone who might wish to immerse themselves in this 24 hours. Join us on Facebook. Schoenstatt Shrine, 230 Fairlight Road, Mulgoa. Inquiries & bookings tel (02) 4773 8338. If your parish or church group is interested in presenting an hour during the program please contact Ann-Maree Timmings tel (02) 4773 8338, manager@schoenstatt.org.au

Shrine Time for Young Adults 18-35: 26 March 2017

One Holy Hour with prayer, reflection, meditation, praise & worship. This year is devoted to Praying for Vocations and Devotion to Mary as per our Holy Father’s intentions for World Youth Day 2018 in Panama. From 7.30pm-8.30pm followed by social gathering on the fourth Sunday of each month. Mary, honoured as the Mother Thrice Admirable, offers 3 graces in the Shrine, this monthly event is a unique opportunity to experience them regularly: Discover your HOME in the hearts of Jesus and Mary; See breakthrough TRANSFORMATION in your life; and Get your spiritual boost to be an authentic WITNESS. In the Shrine at Mount Schoenstatt, 230 Fairlight Road, Mulgoa.

Scripture Reflection Evening: 29 March 2017

You are invited to join the Institute for Mission (IFM) for a Scripture reflection evening during this season of Lent. From 6.45pm-9.00pm on Wednesday 29 March (tea, coffee and snacks available from 6.30pm) at the Institute for Mission, 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown. The focus will be on the Gospel of Matthew with the theme: Jesus and our personal lives in the 21st Century. 

How is Jesus relevant to our: Relationships? Emotional health? Self-regard? Lifestyle & peace?

Come and be welcomed by the IFM team and allow Dr Laurie Woods to unpack personal treasure from the Gospel of Matthew. This evening will be a great way to connect with the word of God in preparation for our upcoming Easter celebrations. Details on IFM Facebook event. To register for this evening, please contact Charbel at the IFM tel (02) 9831 4911 or send an email to charbel.dib@ifm.org.au. RSVP 27 March 2017.

Discernment Afternoon for the Permanent Diaconate: 2 April 2017

Single men and married couples aged 35-55 who are interested in the ordained ministry of the permanent deacon are invited to a discernment afternoon to meet the permanent diaconate vocations team. The discernment program consists of five sessions and each session deals with a different aspect of the permanent diaconate. The session on Saturday 2 April 2017 is the start of the 2017 program. From 3.00pm-5.00pm at St Anthony of Padua Parish, 27 Aurelia Street, Toongabbie.

Inquiries: For further information about the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Parramatta or to make an online inquiry, click here. You are most welcome to contact Deacon James deacon@stanthonyschurch.org.au or Deacon Tan deacontan@john23rd.org.au

Journey through Holy Week with Catholic Youth Parramatta: 9 & 14 April 2017

All are invited to join youth and young adults of the Diocese for the Palm Sunday Procession, World Youth Day Mass & Event at St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta, on Sunday 9 April 2017. The procession down Church Street with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv will depart at 5.30pm from Parramatta Town Hall following a short liturgy. Details on CYP Facebook event.

On Friday 14 April 2017, the Good Friday Night Walk will take place at 10.00pm through the night departing St Patrick’s Church, 51-59 Allawah Street, Blacktown, and concluding at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta at 7.00am. Building on the success of more than 1300 pilgrims participating last year the journey will again take us through the parishes of Blacktown, Seven Hills, Toongabbie, Wentworthville, Merrylands and Parramatta. Details on CYP Facebook event. Inquiries to James Camden, Director of Catholic Youth Parramatta, (02) 8838 3428 or jcamden@parra.catholic.org.au

Nigerian Mass in Igbo: 9 April 2017

Rev Fr Chukwunonyerem Akamadu, Chaplain to the Nigerian Catholic community, will celebrate Mass at 11.30am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes. Contact Fr Akamadu tel 045 11 744 38, Stella Nwosu 0405 478 472. Next Mass on Sunday 23 April 2017.

Good Friday – quiet meditation at the end of the day

The traditional candlelight presentation of music of JS Bach, complemented by Sacred Readings from the Passion of Christ, will be held at St Finbar’s Church, 46 Levy Street, Glenbrook, at 7.30pm on Good Friday evening on 14 April 2017. The Blue Mountains Chorale conducted by Robert Ampt will sing poignant excerpts from St John’s Passion and all will be encouraged to participate in singing congregational hymns, accompanied by the magnificent pipe organ. The service will conclude with quiet meditation. There will be a retiring collection. Suggested donation: $15 and $10 concession. Inquiries tel (02) 4754 1780.

Invitation to Fr Arthur Cook’s farewell: 23 April 2017

Fr Arthur Cook is retiring from parish life and will be leaving the Diocese of Parramatta at the end of April 2017. To mark the occasion and to thank Fr Arthur for his years of service to the parishes of the Diocese, there will be a celebration on Sunday 23 April 2017 at St Matthew’s Catholic Church, 12 Tebbutt Street, Windsor. An invitation is extended to anyone who would like to farewell Fr Arthur. The celebration will start with morning tea after the 9am Mass and will be followed by a BBQ lunch. For catering purposes, please RSVP by 12 April 2017 to the parish office, tel (02) 4577 3073 (BH) or send an email to stmcc@tpg.com.au

Nigerian Catholic Women’s Group Retreat: 30 April 2017

Theme: Mary our model. A one-day retreat to enrich us in preparing spiritually for our Mother’s Day celebration and beyond. Guest speaker/moderator Rev Fr Suresh Kumar – Mary, model of humility for Christian women; and guest speaker Sr Grace  Roclawska CSFN – Praying with Mary, our Mother. St George Preca Parish Centre, Our Lady Queen of Parish, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes. Arrive 3.00pm for 3.30pm start, closes 7.00pm with dinner. This retreat is hosted by Rev Fr Chukwunonyerem Akamadu, Chaplain to the Nigerian Catholic community, tel 045 11 744 38, Stella Nwosu 0405 478 472.

May Procession Waverley College: 7 May 2017

The annual May Procession at Waverley College will take place on Sunday 7 May 2017 from 2.00pm-3.00pm in the College grounds. The May Procession is a devotional act in honour of Our Lady. This is also the College Feast Day, celebrating the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice. All Old Boys of the College are invited to attend. For further information, please see the College website.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: 30 June 2017

Hear Rebekah Rojcewicz, highly experienced leader in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from the US, speak over dinner on ‘The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – A Gift to the Church at this Time’. Cost: $60 per person. From 6.30pm at North Ryde RSL, cnr Magdala & Pittwater Rds, North Ryde. To book, click here. For more information about the Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, click here.

Posted on 13 March 2017.

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