News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Diocese of Parramatta COVID-19 update
Parishes across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains have COVID-Safety plans in place requiring social distancing, maximum attendance figures and other safety measures. We also highly recommend wearing masks to Mass and other services. You are encouraged to check with your parish on what measures they have in place before attending. For more information, please visit the Diocesan website www.parracatholic.org/covid19
Welcome to The Well
The Diocese of Parramatta proudly announces its latest initiative – The Well. In what can be described as ‘Netflix for Catholics’, The Well is a new online platform that provides free, ‘on-demand’ inspiration for families, children, young people and faith communities. Explore fresh offerings every week on topical issues that inform, entertain and challenge. Check it out at www.thewell.org.au
CatholicCare is still open and operational
CatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains services remain open and operational during the current COVID-19 outbreak. Individual offices have been closed to clients, but the service continues to operate with care and support offered via phone, video conferencing/telehealth and online. Some programs are continuing to run groups via video conference. To make a referral, call (02) 8843 2500 (Mon-Thu 8.30am-8pm, Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm), email – enquiries@ccss.org.au or visit ccss.org.au.
Natural Fertility Services is still open
Following COVID-19 restrictions, Natural Fertility Services has reintroduced face-to-face instruction. We will, however, continue with Zoom meetings as this has enabled more couples access to information. We have educators available to teach any of the three methods of Natural Family Planning. If you would like more information, or to book an appointment, please contact Catherine via email catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or call 0400 427 605.
Office for Worship Resources available
The Office For Worship has a range of resources available for purchase for individuals and parishes. Resources such as parent material for a child’s baptism and a collation of prayers can be purchased from the Office For Worship by contacting (02) 8838 3457.
Catholic Youth Parramatta engaging young people in new ways
Catholic Youth Parramatta has established a dynamic schedule of networking opportunities, formation and resources to support ministry and engagement with young people of the Diocese in new ways. From inspiring quotes and scripture references on Mondays, to faith-filled live performances on Wednesday to launching new home-grown resources on Friday. Check out CYP’s Facebook and Instagram pages and https://www.parracatholic.org/cyp/ to download and share the resources.
Diocese of Parramatta Tribunal remains open
The Tribunal of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Parramatta remains open and committed to assisting anyone who has questions regarding marriage annulments. Please direct all enquires to the Tribunal office on 8838 3480 or email tribunal@parracatholic.org. The office is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.
SRE learning from home
During the school shutdown, CCD designed some faith resources for families to access for their children as they learned from home. These lessons, which are fun and prepared specifically for each age group 5-13, are a good way to encourage children to converse about topics of faith at home. These lessons which affirm that we are loved by God can be found at https://www.ccress.org.au/learning-from-home-sre-lessons/. For more information contact cecilia.zammit@parracatholic.org
St Bernadette’s Lalor Park Wednesday Evening Devotions
St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park, is hosting weekly devotions to Mary Immaculate and St Bernadette every Wednesday evening at 7pm, followed by Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome. For more information, contact the parish office on 02 9672 4037 or admin@stbernadetteslalorpark.org.au
Social Justice COVID-19 Food and Toiletries Drive
Jesuit Refugee Service and House of Welcome are dealing with a 400% increase in emergency assistance calls and are needing to feed over 1,000 people facing destitution each week. You can help by running a food and toiletry drive or donating yourself. For more information, contact Patrice Moriarty 0409 399 505 or, House of Welcome office@houseofwelcome.com.au or JRS amelia.savage@jrs.org.au
Parish of Baulkham Hills Adult Catechesis: Commencing 14 September
The Parish of Baulkham Hills is conducting a series of catechesis for teenagers and adults every Monday and Thursday evenings at 7.30pm from 14 September for eight weeks. Sessions will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Hall in Baulkham Hills, and are free. For more information, please contact Lucas Neira on 0428 831 256 or the parish office on 02 9639 8385.
Mountains Deanery Liturgical Formation Course 2020
The Office For Worship will be running two Liturgical Ministry workshops at St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook. Workshops are Saturday 24 October from 2-4pm, for Ministers of the Word (Readers) and Saturday 31 October from 2-4pm for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Communion to the Sick & Dying. Due to COVID-19 restrictions there are limited places available. For more information, contact the Office for Worship on anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org
Other Notices
St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre Staged Reopening
St Mary’s Retreat Centre in Douglas Park, NSW, is commencing a staged re-opening of its facilities from 3 August, as a lead up to their advertised retreat program commencing on 2 October. As places will be limited for the time being, all appointments and visits will need to be booked through the Administrator: contact@towersretreat.org.au or phone (02) 4630 0233.
54-Day Rosary Novena for the Coronavirus
The National Rosary Crusade 54-Day Novena invites you to join them in prayer for a nation-wide 54-day rosary novena to Mary Help of Christians, the national patroness. The novenas will be run between 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption through to 7 October, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page.
Rachel’s Vineyard Healing after Abortion
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat offers women and men a sanctuary in which to rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment. The next healing retreat will be held 4 to 6 December 2020. Rachel’s Vineyard has created a confidential free online individually guided reflection at a time to suit you. To enquire about these programs, call their confidential number (voice mail): 0400 092 555 or visit www.rachelsvineyard.org.au
Catholic Theological College Engaging Your Catholic Faith Sessions: 14 September – 31 October
The Catholic Theological College in Melbourne is presenting a series of sessions on Engaging Your Catholic Faith from 14 September to 31 October. The lectures, exploring topics such as meditation and prayer, women in the early church and interfaith relations, will be delivered online via Zoom and are $20 per session. Enrol now by visiting www.ctc.edu.au/
Online Discernment and Prayer Afternoon: 10 October
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Schoenstatt Sisters and the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters warmly invite women aged 18-35 for an enjoyable afternoon of sharing and prayer on 10 October from 4pm. Each congregation will share who they are and impart wisdom on how to discern and pray. For more information, and to register, contact Sr Paula on 0449 656 406 or vocationscsfn@gmail.com
ACU Online Public Lecture with Sr Prof Julia Upton: 12 October
The ACU Centre for Liturgy is hosting Sr Prof Julia Upton rsm from St John’s University in New York in a free online public lecture. Titled “Liturgy, Prayer, Pastoral Care and Pandemics,” it will be broadcast live from New York on Monday 12 October from 10am AEST via Zoom. Registration is essential by 7 October 2020. Register by visiting www.acu.edu.au/LectureUpton
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Rosalie Rendu Forum: 15 October
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW will be hosting their annual Rosalie Rendu Forum online on Thursday 15 October from 6pm. This year’s forum features a line-up of inspirational female leaders who will reflect on the theme ‘Reimagining the future: can we create more equitable communities post pandemic?’. To register for the event by 12 October, visit https://rosalie-rendu-2020.eventbrite.com.au. For more information, email social.justice@vinnies.org.au or call (02) 4032 3545
Youth PoWR Sydney Statement Launch: 15 October
In 2019, Youth POWR, young adults from different faiths, generated content for an interfaith charter called The Sydney Statement. Now, after 15 drafts, the Sydney Statement is ready for your vote. Launch The Sydney Statement live on Facebook on 15 October at 7pm. Register your attendance at https://events.humanitix.com/vote-tss and tune in on the Youth PoWR’s Facebook page for the launch.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Marriage Enrichment Weekend: 20 – 22 November
The Worldwide Marriage Encounter are hosting a Marriage Enrichment Weekend from 20 to 22 November at the Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW. Learn to become the best version of yourselves together and live your best life in love. Book online at www.wwme.org.au or contact Christine and Terry Mahony on 0490 774 419 or nswbookings@wwme.org.au
Got Your Wedding Plans Under Control? Engaged Encounter Weekends
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. For further information visit our web site: www.engagedencounter.org.au Choose any of the coming Weekends: Nov 7-8, Feb 20-21
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.
