News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
NOTE: Major events happening this week include:
- Diocesan Advent Week Scripture Reflection Evening on Wednesday 26 November at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre from 6:30pm.
- Please pray for our young pilgrims who will be attending the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne from 29 November to 3 December.
Diocese of Parramatta Notices for Sunday 30 November 2025
Positions Vacant
- Catholic Chaplain – Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains
- Parish Secretary (permanent part-time) – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville
More details at: parracatholic.org/jobs
Bishop’s Christmas Appeal – supporting Catholic Care Grief and Loss Counselling
Christmas is drawing near, and with it the promise that God is with us. For many in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, that promise is needed right now. Many individuals and families are carrying grief, stress and uncertainty – wrestling with the rising cost-of-living, unstable work and the heartbreak of losing a loved one. Your generosity is the way to open the doors of hope for the broken-hearted ensuring that no one in our community grieves alone. Please give generously at parracatholic.org/appeal or scan the QR code. Thank you.
Download promotional material: QR code and PowerPoint slide.
New 2026 Academic Scholarship Opportunity
Nagle College Blacktown is now offering a limited number of Academic Scholarships for Year 7 students commencing in 2026. These scholarships are intended to recognise exceptional academic promise and help make an excellent Catholic secondary girls’ education more accessible to families. Please review the eligibility criteria and application process on the school website as soon as possible. Learn more here: https://www.nagleblacktown.catholic.edu.au/nagle-scholarship.
Diocese of Parramatta Tribunal Office
The Tribunal of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Parramatta is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, to offer advice and assistance regarding marriage annulments and dissolution of marriages. Interviews are preferably conducted in person with Zoom and telephone interviews in special circumstances. Please contact the Tribunal Office on (02) 8838 3480 or email tribunal@parracatholic.org.
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. The parish is currently looking for a variety of roles to be filled for the production, including director, choreographer, singers and dancers. An information session and commissioning Mass will be held on Saturday 29 November from 9am at St Patrick’s Church. To learn more, or express your interest, please visit https://www.privyr.com/form/5W7hISmG#the-witness-musical-cast-crew
Download promotional material here: Introduction from parish priest Fr Wim Hoekstra and Expressions of Interest flyer.
Baulkham Hills Parish Christmas Carols: 6 December
Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with the Parish of Baulkham Hills’ fun-filled Christmas Carols event on Saturday 6 December at St Michael’s Primary School Hall from 6.30pm (after Mass). Bring a picnic and a comfy chair and enjoy a great night of music, laughter, and friendship. For more information, contact the parish office on (02) 9639 0598 or email baulkhamhills@parracatholic.org.
Download promotional material here.
Mt Schoenstatt Advent and Christmas Carols: 13 December
Come and prepare your hearts for the coming of Christ at the Advent and Christmas Carols at Mt Schonestatt Family Hall, 230 Fairlight Road Mulgoa on Saturday 13 December from 7pm. All children are encouraged to arrive by 6.45pm dressed as angels or shepherds. Contact Sr. M. Rita for more details: 0493 026 628 srrita@schoenstatt.org.au
Baulkham Hills Christmas Luncheon: 25 December
The Parish of Baulkham Hills are are hosting a Christmas Lunch for anyone who will be on their own on Christmas Day. You may be in town for a visit, or just moved into the area, or may simply be unable to share Christmas Day with your loved ones. So come and share it with us. It will be held on Thursday 25 December in and around the St Michael’s Prmary School hall, and everyone is welcome, families and individuals. But places are limited, so you will need to register to attend. For more information, contact the parish office on (02) 9639 0598 or email baulkhamhills@parracatholic.org.
Download promotional material here.
Donate to Jesuit Refugee Services this Christmas!
As Christmas approaches, Jesuit Refugee Services is calling upon the community to support their work accompanying and serving people seeking asylum who are facing homelessness. Parishes and communities are invited to contribute to JRS’ Advent Food Drive, collecting pantry staples to stock their Foodbank, purchasing supermarket gift cards for groceries over the holiday period or donate to their Christmas Appeal. For more information about how you can help, please contact Kristen on (02) 9356 3888 or email kristen.lazarus@jrs.org.au.
Download materials: Food Drive poster, Gift card poster and Christmas Appeal letter.
Volunteers needed at Catholic Care Emerton!
Catholic Care is looking for volunteers to help at their Walk-In Centre in Emerton on Tuesdays to Thursdays. Volunteers would assist welcoming people into the drop-in centre, greeting clients for counselling appointments, assisting the local Aunties’ yarning and art gatherings, reception of the OzHarvest food delivery and overall assistance with Catholic Care projects and programs. For more information, please contact Catholic Care on (02) 8843 2500.
Volunteers needed at Catholic Care’s Mamre Creche
Are you great with young kids? Catholic Care is looking for friendly, caring volunteers to support staff during crèche sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm at Mamre House, Orchard Hills. If you enjoy spending time with young children (aged 0–5) and have a few hours to spare, we’d love to hear from you. Volunteers will need to obtain a Working with Children Check and Police Check. To help make a difference in the lives of local families, call Catholic Care on (02) 8843 2500.
Fr Joseph Lam book on Pope Leo XIV
Fr Joseph Lam, Parish Priest at the Parish of Baulkham Hills, has produced a new book that explores the traces of St Augustine in the words and messages of the successors of St Peter since 2005: Benedict XVI, Francis and Leo XIV. The book is $45, with proceeds to help the renovation of the old heritage building at Baulkham Hills. To pre-order the book, please contact admin@parishofbaulkhamhills.org.au.
Catholic Care Sewing and Crochet classes
All are welcome to join Catholic Care’s weekly sewing and crochet classes every Thursday during school terms, 10am-1pm at Mamre House and Farm, 181 Mamre Rd, Orchard Hills. Learn new skills, connect with others, and enjoy a friendly, supportive environment. Perfect for anyone wanting to meet new people! To register, contact Catholic Care on (02) 8843 2500 or email enquiries@catholiccarewsbm.org.au.
Download promotional material here.
Low Cost Counselling Services
Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains provides low cost and affordable counselling services for individuals seeking support. Whether you’re looking for general guidance or assistance with specific challenges like grief, loss, or family matters, Catholic Care is here to help. Call Catholic Care on 8843 2500 for a friendly chat today.
Mount Schoenstatt Monthly Shrine Time for Youth and Young Adults
Join us for Monthly Holy Hour for youth and young adults at the Schoenstatt Shrine, Mulgoa, every fourth Sunday of the month for praise, worship, silence, prayer, reflection and benediction at the Shrine. There is the opportunity to go to confession and there is a small social gathering afterwards. For further information please contact Sr M Rita via srrita@schoenstatt.org.au or 0493 026 628. Web: https://schoenstatt.org.au/
Mount Schoenstatt Monthly Shrine Time for men
Men at the Shrine is a monthly hour for men at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mulgoa, held on the second Wednesday of the month from 8-9pm. The hour includes a brief reflection, silent personal prayer and the opportunity for confession. The Shrine has been a place of pilgrimage in the Diocese since 1968 and in 2025 is also one of the three locations in the diocese to gain the Jubilee Indulgence.
Other Notices
Caritas Australia’s Global Gifts are Christmas Cards with purpose!
Every card you buy helps build brighter futures for children, women and men experiencing hardship and poverty. By putting your compassion into action and shopping for the Global Gifts of your choice you will bring hope and joy to the world’s most vulnerable and communities, while giving your loved ones a meaningful Christmas card. View the range of Global Gifts: www.globalgifts.org.au
Download promotional material: Bulletin document with image and QR code and PowerPoint slide.
Divine Retreat Centre offerings for November
The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW is hosting a variety of single-day and weekend residential retreats throughout November including an Inner Healing Retreat and its last Sunday day retreat. All are welcome. For more information, please visit www.divineretreatcentre.org or contact (02) 4372 1598.
Download promotional material here.
