News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices for Sunday 1 February 2026
Annual Diocesan Red Mass: 3 February
Fr Robert Riedling, Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, cordially invites members of the judiciary and legal community, public service officials, law students and their families to the annual Red Mass. Join us on Tuesday 3 February at 7pm, refreshments will be served following the Mass. Please RSVP by Friday 30 January to enquiry@stpatscathedral.com.au or call (02) 8839 8400.
St Josephine Bakhita Memorial Mass & Community Celebration: 8 February
You are warmly invited to the annual St Josephine Bakhita Memorial Mass & Community Celebration on Sunday 8 February at 12:30pm at St Patrick’s Church, MQOF Parish, Blacktown. The South-Sudanese and Sudanese Catholic Community, supported by the Mission Enhancement Team, will celebrate their national patron saint, share their spirituality, culture and cuisine, and pray for the victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. All are welcome to attend.
Download promotional material: A4 poster and social media tile.
Rosary Making Workshop: 9 February
Come along for a fun evening of community and crafting rosary beads that will then be donated to the sick and dying in hospitals across our Diocese. The craft evening will be held on Monday 9 February at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. Costs are $5 per person – payable on arrival (includes all materials). To register and for more information, please visit parracatholic.org/rosary-workshops
Download promotional material here.
FaithLIFE Scripture Short Course: Begins 10 February
FaithLIFE Scripture offers a 3-session Catholic Bible study and faith formation short course on how to engage with the Bible through the Catholic tradition during turbulent times. The program will run on Tuesday 10, 17 and 24 February at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes, from 7pm to 9pm. The program is facilitated by Scripture scholar Dr Michele Connolly RSJ and is open to adults of all ages and supports ongoing adult faith formation. To register, visit https://parracatholic.org/events/faithlife-scripture-session-1/
Diocesan World Day of the Sick: 11 February
A Mass for the World Day of the Sick, including the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, will be held at 11am on 11 February 2026 at St Patrick’s Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. All are welcome, including those who may be sick, and those who care for the sick and dying and health care professionals. To register, please visit parracatholic.org/events/diocesan-world-day-of-the-sick-mass/
Download promotional material here.
Safeguarding Training Dates for Deaneries
From this year, parishes within a Deanery will have the same Safeguarding Training Renewal and Refresher Dates. In 2026, the dates for those in a Deanery to update and complete their Training will be:
- Blacktown Deanery – April 2026
- The Hills Deanery – August 2026
- Cumberland Deanery – November 2026
The remaining Deaneries will renew in 2027. Online Training Modules are always available for those who are entering ministry. Face-to-face opportunities can be found at: https://parracatholic.org/connect/events/?series=safeguarding-training. For further inquiries and to book in F2F Training dates at your Parish, please contact: safeguardingtraining@parracatholic.org
When should I complete my Safeguarding Training?
All Clergy, employees and volunteers in parish ministry are required by the NSW Children’s Guardian Act 2019 to be current and complete with Safeguarding Training. Check with your Parish Office when you are due to update your Safeguarding Training.
- If you are new to ministry, you must complete the Introductory Modules 1-3 (Cycle 1).
- If you completed Cycle 1 modules two years ago, you must complete Renewal Modules 4 and 5 (Cycle 2)
- If you renewed your Cycle 2 two years ago, you must complete a Refresher Module 6 (Cycle 3)
Safeguarding Training Modules can always be completed online at https://learning.safeguarding.org.au/. Face-to-face training opportunities can be found at https://parracatholic.org/connect/events/?series=safeguarding-training.
MET Natural Fertility – Natural Family Planning (NFP)
Are you looking for help to track your fertility cycle? Come and explore a natural, effective, healthy and scientific approach to achieve, space/avoid pregnancy or monitor women’s health. NFP is suitable for all situations including post-contraception, breastfeeding mothers and women experiencing peri-menopause. Express your interest at www.parracatholic.org/learn/natural-family-planning
Volunteer Communicators Network
Are you savvy with a camera, writing or social media? We want to hear from you! Share your interest with us to support our storytelling in Catholic Outlook, our websites and social media. Name/contact details are required: parracatholic.org/communicators
Download promotional material here.
Across our Parishes
Blacktown Parish presents ‘The Witness’
The community of Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown, are bringing to life the musical “The Witness” – telling the story of the life of Jesus through the eyes of St Peter. Open auditions are taking place on Sunday 1 February from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm and Monday 2 February from 6pm-8pm at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown. We encourage anyone interested in being part of The Witness experience to register. For vocal auditions, contact our Music Director, Marianne Fernandes, at music@bethewitness.com.au. To learn more, visit Be The Witness – The Musical or email info@bethewitness.com.au.
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 start in February 2026 in the Blue Mountains. To express your interest, contact Catholic Care on (02) 8843 2500 or Survivor Voice Australia on 0422 876 700.
Download promotional materials here.
Volunteer Cook Wanted for Catholic Care’s Houses to Homes program
Catholic Care’s Houses to Homes program is seeking a volunteer cook to lead simple, hands-on cooking sessions for a small group of women once a month. Sessions run on a Friday from 10am to 12midday, with all ingredients provided, and conclude with participants sharing the meal together. All required screening and training will be supported. For more information or to express interest, please contact enquiries@catholiccarewsbm.org.au or call (02) 8843 2500.
Catholic Healthcare formation and support Mass: 22 February
The Diocese’s Catholic Healthcare ministry, in collaboration with the Hawkesbury Deanery, is organising a monthly formation and support Mass for those in the healthcare ministry of the Church on Sunday 22 February at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, at 5:30pm. There will be an afternoon tea before the Mass from 4pm for those who wish to attend for networking and support purposes. For further information, please contact Deacon Michael Tan on Michael.Tan@parracatholic.org.
St Patrick’s Primary Parramatta Centenary Celebration: 14 March
The St Patrick’s Parramatta School Community warmly invites all former staff, students, and families to join us in celebrating 100 years of faith, learning and community on Saturday 14 March at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Mass begins at 1:30pm, with an afternoon tea to follow. Let us come together in Eucharist to share memories and celebrate companionship across generations. RSVP via https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZCpRA1DLrNElCkwClltsabrOw43l5RYq3LiRTzvAlkOFmaA/viewform
Download promotional material here.
Other Notices
Australian Catholic Historial Society Gathering: 15 February
The next event for the Australian Catholic Historical Society will be held on Sunday 15 February in the crypt of St Patrick’s, Church Hill at 2pm. Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop Emeritus of Brisbane, will be presenting on “the 60th Anniversary of Vatican II Dei Verbum – Its influence on the history of Biblical Scholarship”. 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/
Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day: 15 February
You are invited to a Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day on Sunday 15 February from 10am to around 3pm at St Benedict’s Monastery, 121 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia. There will be an introduction to Christian Meditation for newcomers with periods of meditation for ongoing meditators, presentations and prayer with the monks. Mass will be celebrated in the afternoon. Morning tea will be provided, but please bring your own picnic lunch. Donations are welcome. For enquiries, please contact Ann Lomas on atlomas@bigpond.com or call 0437 340 250. Additional dates will be held in May, August and November.
Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend: 21-22 February
How prepared are you for marriage? Engaged Encounter provides you with deeper insights into each other and into married life. We give you a chance to spend time together to strengthen and enrich your relationship. Additional weekends will be held from 23-24 May and 8-9 August. For further information, visit our website: www.engagedencounter.org.au
Missionaries of God’s Love Discernment Retreat Weekend: 13-15 March
An opportunity for single women aged 18-35 to come and listen for the voice of Jesus, ask questions and experience prayer, talks, sisterhood and times of sharing to help you discern your vocation. The weekend will be held on from 13 to 15 March at Carmel House, 345 St Andrews Road, Varroville. Registration: mglsisters.sydney@gmail.com
