News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant
- Casual Workers/Volunteers – Catholic Care Mamre Creche
- Cleaner – James Dixon House, Harris Park
More details at: parracatholic.org/employment
Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses
The Office for Worship is taking enrolments for its Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses for those who are interested in being Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion or Bringing Communion to the Sick and Dying. The course will be at the Institute for Mission (Downstairs Hall). NOTE: Introduction Session on 12 August is compulsory. Enrolments close on 5 August 2019. Please see your Parish Office for a form or for more information, contact 02 8838 3456 or ingrid.vergano@parracatholic.org
Light Up St Pat’s 2019: 6 – 21 July
In conjunction with Parramatta Council’s Winterlight Festival. St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta are once again hosting the Light Up St Pat’s projections! St Pat’s warmly invites you to visit the Cathedral in this time to view these projections which centre on the theme of Hope. Diocese of Wollongong duo Gus and Iggy will perform at the closing ceremony night on Saturday 20 July, with the last night of projections to be held on Sunday 21 July from 7pm.
Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible: 22 July – 9 September
Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown is running Jeff Cavin’s Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible Study Program from 22 July to 9 September. The sessions will be held every Monday from 7pm to 8.30pm at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown. Visit https://mqofblacktown.org.au/ to register and to find out more information, or contact the Parish Office on 02 9622 1125 or admin@mqofblacktown.org.au
Serving at the Altar: 3 August
The Office for Worship is organising a formation day for Adult Servers and Acolytes. The formation day will be held on Saturday 3 August at the Institute for Mission, Blacktown, from 9.30am until 2.30pm. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. To RSVP, please contact the Office for Worship team on 02 8838 3456 or ingrid.vergano@parracatholic.org
CYP Music Ministry Masterclass: 3 August
CYP are hosting a Music Ministry Masterclass at Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill on Saturday 3 August from 9.30am to 5pm. This is an invitation for musicians, worship leaders, youth and aspiring composers to gather and be formed in music ministry especially for the involvement and evangelisation of young people. Register now at https://parracatholic.org/masterclass/
CYP LIFTED Live feat. Gus and Iggy: 3 August
The next session of CYP’s LIFTED Live sessions will be held at Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill on Saturday 3 August from 7.30pm to 10pm. Featuring Gus and Iggy, a Catholic music duo from the Diocese of Wollongong, the LIFTED Band and the creative team, LIFTED Live provides energetic & contemporary worship, adoration & reconciliation. Make it a day and join for the Music Ministry Masterclass, Parish Mass and LIFTED Live in one place! Register now at https://parracatholic.org/liftedlive/
Natural Fertility Services Presentation: 4 August
Are you looking for a healthy, natural and effective method to manage your fertility? No drugs, devices or side effects. All are welcome to attend a talk presented by Natural Fertility Services, Diocese of Parramatta, at St Monica’s Parish Hall, North Parramatta. Sunday 4 August from 2pm to 3.30pm. For more information, please contact Catherine on 02 8838 3460 or 0400 427 605, nfpstmonica@gmail.com or catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org
St Philomena Mass and Devotions: 10 August
Mass and Devotions for St Philomena will be held on Saturday 10 August at St John Vianney Parish, Doonside. Mass will be held at 12Midday. Please bring a snack to share. For further information, contact Libby Peoples – 0423 154 463 or epeoples9@gmail.com
National Vocations Awareness Week: 4 – 11 August
National Vocations Awareness Week runs nationally from 4 to 11 August. The concept of ‘vocation’ applies to every person’s life, for if we listen well, we discover that God calls each of us to play a part in his mission here on the earth. For more information about Vocations in the Diocese of Parramatta, please visit www.parracatholic.org/vocations/
IFM Reflective Ministry Program: 20 August
The Institute for Mission’s Reflective Ministry Program – Component 2 starts on August 20. This is a great opportunity to enrich and enthuse those involved in the ministries of the Catholic communities. Go to ifm.org.au for more information and registration, or contact the IFM team on 02 9296 6369.
Natural Fertility Services Information Evening: 20 August
Are you looking for a healthy, natural and effective method to manage your fertility? Learn how to identify the best time to achieve or postpone pregnancy. You are warmly invited to this event on Tuesday 20 August at the Diocesan Ministry Centre, 51-59 Allawah St, Blacktown from 7pm. For more information and to register please contact Catherine on 02 8838 3460, 0400 427 605 or catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org
2019 Faith in Marriage Seminar: 30 August
American Catholic Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers is the guest speaker at The Life, Family and Marriage Office’s 2019 Faith in Marriage Seminar on Friday 30 August at St Paul’s Catholic College Hall, Greystanes from 7.30pm. Free entry and a light supper will be served afterwards. Donations are welcome. Please register your attendance to 02 8838 3460 or lmf@parracatholic.org
Adult Confirmation: 10 September
Adult Confirmation for 2019 will be held on Tuesday 10 September at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta from 7.30pm. A Catechesis Day for Adult Confirmation will be held on Saturday 31 August from 9.30am to 2pm. Any adult over 16 years wanting to be confirmed please see your Parish Office for information or contact the Office for Worship on 02 8838 3456 or mary-louise.walsh@parracatholic.org
Australian Catholic Youth Festival, Perth: 7 – 11 December 2019
ACYF19 is a biennial national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Bishops of Australia. The event involves three days of exciting, large scale Plenary’s, tens of workshops, concerts, prayer experiences, fun, expos and concludes with an outdoor mass with the City of Perth. Bishop Vincent and Catholic Youth Parramatta will be leading an expected 200 participants. Free twin-share hotel accommodation is being offered now. For more information and to register visit www.catholicyouthparramatta.org
Other Notices
Plenary Council 2020:
National Theme for Discernment #6 – How is God calling us to be a Christ-centred Church that is Open to conversion, Renewal and Reform? This National Theme for Discernment is inspired by the voices of the People of God who expressed a desire to do things differently in response to Christ and the experience of our people, accepting that faithfulness to tradition requires change that is both personal and communal. Find out more at www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au
Plenary Council Discernment and Working Groups – Applications Open
The Bishops Commission for the Plenary Council is seeking people, for volunteer positions, who are willing to be key partners and leaders in the process of discernment as the Church in Australia continues preparing for the Plenary Council in October 2020. For role descriptions and application information visit www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au or contact Richard McMahon at the Pastoral Planning Office on 8838 3497.
National Weekend for Men: 19 – 21 July
menALIVE for Christ (MAX) is an annual gathering of men from across Australia and New Zealand who seek to be encouraged by one another in their faith journey as real men of God. The menALIVE MAX 19 weekend will be held at the Benedict XVI Conference Centre, Grose Vale, from the 19 to 21 July. For more information and to register, visit https://cvent.me/Koql2.
St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre Weekend: 19 – 21 July
St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre in Douglas Park, NSW, is hosting ‘The Contemplative Professional Retreat,’ presented by Lou Nulley from 19 to 21 July. This retreat will provide some valuable insights and methods to allow you to live a more contemplative life through prayer, mindfulness and meditation practices. For more information and to RSVP, contact 02 4630 0233, contact@towersretreat.org.au or visit http://towersretreat.org.au
Christianity, Hinduism & Islam at the Crossroads: 22 July
The Australian Intercultural Society (AIS) is hosting a lecture by international guest Professor Francis X Clooney SJ on “Christianity, Hinduism & Islam at the Crossroads” on Monday 22 July from 12midday to 1.30pm at the AIS office, 441 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Registration is free. To register, please visit https://clooney.eventbrite.com.au
Renaissance of Marriage 2019: 26 – 27 July
Renaissance of Marriage 2019 – Building a Catholic Marriage Culture – will be held on 26 and 27 July at the University of Notre Dame Sydney. Keynote Speakers include Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP and Kevin Donnelly. Registrations open at www.ROM.org.au
2019 Abraham Conference – 28 July
You are invited to the 2019 Abraham Conference at Parramatta Mission Fellowship Hall at 2pm on Sunday 28 July. The theme is “Healing Memories: Making History”. The keynote speaker is Rev Fr Diego Sarrió Cucarella, Rector of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome. Advance registration essential at https://bit.ly/2WFTkse
Divine Retreat Centre One Day Retreat: 28 July
A one day retreat will be held at the Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW on 28 July from 9am to 4.30pm. The day will include Eucharistic Adoration, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Mass and ministry for children and teenagers. BYO Lunch. For more information, please contact 0468 486 782, email drcsydney@gmail.com or visit www.divineretreatcentre.org.au
Holy Hour for Vocations: 1 August
Youth aged 18 to 35 are invited to join The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth for the Holy Hour for Vocations at Our Lady of Czestochowa Queen of Poland Church, 116-132 Quakers Rd Marayong on Thursday 1 August at 6pm. Dinner will be served after wards. RSVP to Sr Paula – vocationscsfn@gmail.com or 0449 656 406.
ACMRO National Conference: 5 – 7 August
The 6th National Conference on Missionary Clergy and Religious in Australia: Challenges and Opportunities will be held at Rydges South Bank, Brisbane, from 5 – 7 August. The conference will provide an opportunity for our missionary priests and religious to provide and obtain mutual support through sharing experiences with each other. For more information and to register, visit https://www.acmro.catholic.org.au/
Young Women Day Retreat: 10 August
A retreat day for young women aged 18 and over is being held at Mount Schoenstatt, 230 Fairlight Rd, Mulgoa on Saturday 10 August from 10am to 3.30pm. The theme is “Discerning Where God is Leading Me in the Here and Now.” Discover how to deepen your relationship to Jesus in your everyday life. RSVP by Monday 5 August to Sr M Luka Junemann on 0439 537 843 or srmluka@schoenstatt.org.au
‘Called to Holiness’ Weekend Retreat for Men: 10 – 11 August
Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa, is hosting a weekend retreat for men on the theme ‘Called to Holiness’. 10 to 11 August from 9am. $165 all-inclusive or $55 day rate. RSVP by 1 August. For further enquiries, contact mensbranch@schoenstatt.org.au or 0432 487 927. To book, contact info@schoenstatt.org.au or 02 4773 8338.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend: 10 – 11 August
Take the time to step back from everyday distractions and rediscover your relationship at the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Marriage Enrichment Weekend from 10 to 11 August at St John Bosco Parish, Engadine. Book online at www.wwme.org.au. For further enquiries, contact Adrian and Janet Sullivan on 0490 774 419, adrian.janet1@bigpond.com
Jesus Light of the World Communities Formation Day: 17 August
The Jesus Light of the World Communities is hosting a Formation Day on the theme ‘Here I Am (Isaiah 6:8)’ at St Joseph’s Parish Hall, Walz St, Rockdale on Saturday 17 August from 9am to 4pm. Morning and afternoon tea will be served. For enquiries, contact Helen on 0488 037 631, Ida on 0424 267 500 or email jlowcommunity@gmail.com
OLMC Parramatta 50 Year Reunion: 21 September
Did you commence Year 7 at OLMC in 1964, or attend any year thereafter, such that you did your HSC in 1969, or your SC in 1967? It’s OK if you left before your exams, you’re still welcome at our 50th Reunion! Contact Jennifer Newton: email fiftyyearsonolmc64-69@hotmail.com or Facebook page OLMC Parramatta 1964-1969 50th Reunion (September 2019).
Rome Pilgrimages:
Rome Pilgrimages, by the Archdiocese of Sydney, is a Catholic pilgrimage which deepens one’s prayer life, offers a cultural experience, and connects pilgrims to our tradition and faith. The cost of the 7-day Pilgrimage is $2,350.00 (twin share accommodation – excludes airfares, some meals and travel insurance). Discounts available for large groups. Pilgrims stay at Domus Australia in the heart of Rome with opportunities for daily Mass. For more information, call 1800 753 959 or email pilgrimage@sydneycatholic.org
Visiting Rome? Stay at Domus Australia:
Domus Australia is a 32-room Boutique Pilgrim Guesthouse established by the Australian Catholic Church, welcoming travellers to Rome seeking comfortable accommodation and an ideal base from which to explore historical and cultural sites of the Eternal City. Centrally located with a magnificently restored Chapel featuring daily Mass in English, Domus Australia is the perfect oasis in the heart of Rome for Aussie pilgrims. For enquiries, please contact reservations@domusaustralia.org or visit www.domusaustralia.org
For more events please go to: parracatholic.org/events
Please note, some of these notices have been provided to the Diocese of Parramatta, with the request they be made available to parishes and parishioners. The Diocese of Parramatta makes these notices available for information purposes only and does not expressly endorse any of this material, unless otherwise specified. The Diocese of Parramatta cannot be held responsible for any inaccurate or defamatory content.
