News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices for Sunday 14 June 2026
Positions Vacant:
- Housekeeper Supervisor – Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park
- Parish Secretary – St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta
More details at: parracatholic.org/jobs
Thank you for supporting the Bishop’s Good Works Appeal.
Because of your compassion, our parish has raised over $X (parish administrator to provide) through the Bishop’s Good Works Appeal, supporting Holy Spirit Seminary and helping form the future priests our Diocese will need in the years ahead. Your generosity helps provide education, spiritual formation, pastoral training and safe accommodation for seminarians as they continue answering God’s call. With your support, they are being formed to one day serve our parishes with faith, compassion and hope. Please continue to pray for our seminarians and all Diocesan ministries supported through this Appeal. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please visit parracatholic.org/appeal or scan the QR code. Thank you.
CYP Annual LIFTED Retreat for 18-35’s: 3-5 July
Join young people from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains at Catholic Youth Parramatta’s annual LIFTED Retreat for 18–35-year-olds. (3-5 July at Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, Grose Vale.) Together we will enter a weekend of connection, prayer and reflection on the theme of Abundance, inspired by John 10:10. Whether you’re just beginning your faith journey, looking for community or need a mid-year renewal, the LIFTED Retreat welcomes you with open arms. Limited spots available. Registrations close 19 June. parracatholic.org/events/lifted-young-adults
Sing a New Song – Music Workshop for Children: 14 July
Do you have a child in Year 4-12? Invite them to come along to our ‘Sing A New Song Holiday Music Workshop’, for a fun day of singing and exploration of sacred music. When: Tuesday 14 July 2026, 9.30am-2pm Where: St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, 1 Marist Place Parramatta Morning tea and lunch provided. Student participants will form a choir that will sing at the Solemn Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta on Sunday 19 July at 6pm. Register here: parracatholic.org/events/school-holiday-music-workshop/
CYP Annual LIFTED Retreat for year 10-12’s: 15 July
You’re invited to LIFTED Retreat! A one-day retreat for 16-17 year olds from across the Diocese at St Paul’s, Winston Hills on Thursday, 15 July. Together we will enter a weekend of connection, prayer and reflection on the theme of Abundance, inspired by John 10:10. Whether you’re just beginning your faith journey, looking for community or need a mid-year renewal, the LIFTED Retreat welcomes you with open arms. Limited spots available. Registrations close 19 June. parracatholic.org/events/lifted-high-school
Safeguarding Face-to-face Training Opportunities for June 2026
There are several face-to-face Safeguarding Training opportunities available throughout June at several parishes. Please register directly for this training or for other convenient dates and locations by clicking on the training event at: https://parracatholic.org/connect/events/?series=safeguarding-training. For more information, please email: safeguardingtraining@parracatholic.org
Adult Confirmations 2026
The Office for Worship will host a Catechesis and Formation Day for those candidates (16+) interested in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this year. This will be on Saturday 29th August, 9.30am – 2.00pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre in Blacktown. A light lunch will be provided on the day. It is recommended that all sponsors attend the catechesis day. A contribution of $40 is suggested from the candidates to assist in covering the Catechesis Day.
The Confirmation will take place on Tuesday 1st September, 2026 at 7:30pm at the Cathedral. Please Note: Enrolment forms and a copy of Baptismal Certificates should be sent to OFW before Monday 18th August, 2026. For more information, please contact the Office for Worship ofw@parracatholic.org or 0460 037 795.
Ministry of Care courses: 3-24 June
Those who visit the sick and are involved in the Ministry of Communion to the Sick and Dying in Hospitals, Aged Care Facilities and in Homes are invited to attend this course on the Ministry of Care. The course will take place every Wednesday in June at 7pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. Please register via parracatholic.org/ministry-of-care-courses to reserve your spot. For enquiries, please contact ofw@parracatholic.org or 0460 037 795.
Nominations closing soon for the 2026 Papal & Diocesan Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Papal and Diocesan Awards, recognising individuals – both religious and lay – who have made outstanding contributions to the Catholic Church and its community. Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised? Nominations close at midnight on 30 June 2026. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit parracatholic.org/contribute/papal-diocesan-awards/
Tri-Diocesan Social Justice Dinner: 1 July
Parishioners across the three Sydney dioceses are welcome to attend the 2026 Tri-diocesan Social Justice Dinner, to be hosted at All Saints parish hall in Liverpool on Wednesday 1 July. We will hear about the stubborn persistence of slave-like working conditions even in modern Sydney, most often experienced by new migrants, and we will reflect on the role church communities can play in helping victims to become aware of their rights at work and escape situations of exploitation. Free to attend, registration is essential https://events.humanitix.com/tri-diocesan-social-justice-dinner-2026
Across our Parishes
Feast of St Anthony of Padua Triduum Masses and Novena: 11-13 June
St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie, warmly invites you to celebrate the Feast of St Anthony with Triduum Masses and Novena from 11–13 June 2026.
11 June: Mass, Novena and Blessing of the Sick (9.30am & 7.00pm)
12 June: Mass, Novena and Blessing of Children (9.30am & 7.00pm)
13 June: Feast Mass, Novena and Candlelight Procession (9.30am & 6.00pm)
All are welcome. Venue: St Anthony of Padua Parish, 27 Aurelia Street, Toongabbie.
Out of love for the Eucharist, St Carlo Acutis created a website that compiled the details of every recorded Eucharistic miracle. These miracles are moments of extraordinary grace, where Christ’s real presence in the Sacred Host is manifested in some physical way. The Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition has since been made available for display in parishes throughout the world where people are able to spend time learning about these extraordinary events as a community of faith.
Throughout this year, the Diocese of Parramatta is displaying the Exhibition at various parishes for people to come and see. St Patrick’s Cathedral will be the first host parish from Sunday 14th to Sunday 28th June in the Cloister Hall. Guest Speaker: Fr Gerard Kelly, Biblical Roots of the Eucharist | Saturday 27th June at 4pm in the Cloister Hall.
Please RSVP for the Seminar by Fr Gerard via parracatholic.org/events/eucharistic-miracles-exhibit
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth invite women 18-35 for one day discernment retreat on Saturday, 4 July 2026, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at 116–132 Quakers Road, Marayong. The retreat offers Mass, adoration, inspiring talks, small group sharing, and quiet reflection time. Bring your questions, your hopes, and an open heart as we listen to God together. Cost is free.
St Thomas Aquinas Parish raffle: Prizes drawn 15 August
Our Online Parish Raffle to help raise funds towards the construction of a new presbytery for our priest, together with a two-storey residence that will be leased to help ease some of the parish’s ongoing financial commitments. This important project will provide suitable accommodation to support the long-term pastoral and spiritual care of our parish community. Funds raised will also contribute towards essential maintenance and improvement works throughout the parish, helping preserve and strengthen our facilities for future generations.
Drawn online: 12:00 PM, Saturday 15 August. Purchase tickets here: https://www.raffletix.com.au/stthomasaquinas
Every ticket purchased helps support the future mission and ministry of our parish. We sincerely thank you for your generosity, prayers, and support.
The theme for 2026 is “Totus Tuus” (“Totally Yours”). There will be a decade of the rosary, reflection and personal prayer at each church. Adoration and Confession will be available at times also. This event is perfect for active women who would like to spend a day in prayer whilst pushing themselves physically in order to pray for themselves or family. Water, snacks and light lunch provided. Registration is essential $20 www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1569560 For more info call Victoria on 0494173359 or email bethanypilgrimage@gmail.com
Kenthurst Parish Dinner Dance: Friday 18 September
All are welcome to attend the St Madeleine’s Dinner Dance on Friday 18th September at 6.30pm at the Dural Club, 662A Old Northern Road, Dural. Cost is $130 and includes a three-course dinner. To enquire about tickets or how you can donate to the silent auction (goods, services or monetary contributions), please contact Sally Coppini on stmadsdinnerdance@gmail.com.
Download promotional material and a flyer on how to donate here.
Free Legal Clinic – Catholic Care, Emerton
Catholic Care offers free weekly legal advice every Thursday from 11am at 11 Emert Parade, Emerton. Areas covered include Family Law, Care and Protection, Local Court matters, Wills and Estates, and Traffic Offences. Bookings are recommended – call 8843 2500. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Be a stronger you – Free empowerment course for women
Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains has partnered with Survivor Voice Australia to run a free six-week empowerment program for women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. The program will be held in the lower Blue Mountains on Wednesday mornings. To find out when the next program starts, contact Catholic Care on (02) 8843 2500 or Survivor Voice Australia on 0422 876 700.
Other Notices
Eucharist28 Update – Hearts Set Ablaze!
The International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney in 2028 (‘Eucharist28’) will be a global gathering of the Church centred on the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian lives, culminating in a Papal Mass with Pope Leo XIV. It will be a festival of faith, rich with worship, prayer, testimonies, art, music – a truly ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, and a transformative moment for our nation. For more information and regular updates, please register on the website: eucharist28.org
Catholic Theological College information session: 15 June
Catholic Theological College is running an online information session on Monday 15 June at 7pm (AEST). In this session participants meet our course advisors and learn about study options at CTC, including the wide range of courses and units that can be undertaken online and/or face-to-face. To learn more and register visit https://ctc.edu.au/news-and-events/information-sessions/
Tim Fischer Oration 2026: 17 June
The third Tim Fischer Oration for Ethics in Public and Political Life will be held on Wednesday 17 June, 6:00–8:00pm at Rosehill Gardens, NSW. Dr Mary Healy will present Citizens of the Kingdom in a Secular Age. Parishioners are encouraged to sponsor Years 11–12 students. Register at tfo.org.au.
Australian Catholic Historical Society event in the crypt of Saint Patrick’s, Church Hill: 2PM on Sunday 21 June
The Topic: Still Relevant? Fr Julian Tenison Woods in the Twenty-First Century. Presenter: Fr Roderick O’Brien. Members, their guests, and visitors are most welcome and there is no charge. Details of the programme of the ACHS as well as resources on church history and YouTube videos are on the website https://australiancatholichistoricalsociety.com.au/
MGL Sisters “Gardens” Retreat Day: 27 June
Spend a day reflecting on how while we experience pain, grief and loss in life, we can also discover in such moments that God is renewing us and doing “a new thing” (Rev 21:4) within us. The day will begin with mass at 9am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Varroville and end at 4pm. Afternoon & morning tea provided. BYO Lunch Cost: $25. Please rsvp at https://www.trybooking.com/DIDBD or contact us on 0402 602 520.
Australian National University survey: Worldviews and ways of life in Australia
ANU researchers are exploring how perceptions and ways of thinking (i.e. worldviews) relate to experiences and ways of living (i.e. participation and inclusion) in Australia. Ensure your community’s representation in this meaningful research: Complete the survey (https://anu.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Ao5q9gu3ysrbVQ) and forward on.
