News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
NOTE: A variety of parishes are hosting Christmas carols over the next few weekends. Please visit parracatholic.org/events to find times and locations.
Diocese of Parramatta Notices for Sunday 14 December 2025
Positions Vacant
- Catholic Chaplain – Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains
More details at: parracatholic.org/jobs
Grab your FREE copy of the Catholic Outlook Magazine!
The latest quarterly edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine is out now, keeping you connected with exciting news and events in the Diocese of Parramatta. In this Advent/Summer edition, you will find:
- Bishop Vincent’s Christmas message
- The Migrant Jubilee cross visiting Western Sydney
- Stories of love at the annual Wedding Anniversary Mass
- Reflections for the Advent and Christmas season
Pick up your copy from your church or parish office today! Also available online via catholicoutlook.org/magazine
Download promotional material: Social Media square and portrait assets and A3 poster.
Migrant Jubilee Cross visits the Diocese of Parramatta
To mark the end of the Jubilee Year, the Vatican’s Migrant Jubilee Cross will be visiting several parishes in the Diocese of Parramatta from 5-11 January. For one week, the Diocese of Parramatta will come alive with celebrations that recognise the faith, gifts and resilience of migrant communities who have enriched our parishes, schools and communities. Bring your friends and family to experience the Migrant Jubilee Cross Pilgrimage at a parish near you. Learn more at parracatholic.org/migrant-jubilee-cross.
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.
Liturgical Ministry Formation Course returns for 2026
The Liturgical Ministry Formation Course will be returning in February 2026. To avoid disappointment, please send signed enrolment forms to ofw@parracatholic.org before Friday 23 January. Please visit parracatholic.org/liturgical-ministry-course for more information about this course.
Sing a New Song Music Workshop for Children: 21 January
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. The workshop will be held on Wednesday 21 January from 9:30am to 2pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, 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 25 January at 11am. To register, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/0URuFAeThA
Download promotional material here: Flyer and graphic.
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.
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.
Cranebrook Parish Christmas Novena Masses: 15-24 December
Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook will be celebrating daily masses from 15 to 23 December as part of a Christmas Novena. Masses will be held at 7pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends and will have a special Mass intention (theme) which will be the focus of our prayers each day. A supper will be provided to the community after each of these Masses and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, please contact the parish office on (02) 4730 1249 or email cranebrook@parracatholic.org.
Download promotional material here: flyer and Mass calendar.
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.
Mount Druitt Combined Churches Christmas Day Community Lunch: 25 December
Don’t spend Christmas alone. A free Christmas Day lunch hosted by Mt Druitt Combined Churches on Thursday 25 December from 11am, with Holy Family Parish, Mt Druitt as the venue host. All are warmly welcome. Registration is essential.For more information and to register, please visit https://www.facebook.com/MtDruittChristmasLunch
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.
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/
Other Notices
Christmas at St Mary’s Cathedral: 17-25 December
All are invited to experience St Mary’s Cathedral and forecourt come alive from Wednesday 17 December to Christmas Day. The Cathedral’s façade will be illuminated with the timeless story of the Little Drummer Boy. Entry is free and a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Learn more at christmasatthecathedral.org.au
Download promotional material here: A4 Poster and social media tile.
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 December
The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW is hosting a variety of single-day and weekend residential retreats throughout December including an Advent Retreat and a New Year’s Eve celebration with Adoration and Mass. All are welcome. For more information, please visit www.divineretreatcentre.org or contact (02) 4372 1598.
Download promotional material here.
