News & Events Weekly Update

18 January 2021

 

News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond

 

Diocese of Parramatta Notices

 

Positions Vacant:

  • Parish Secretary – St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish, Upper Blue Mountains and Sacred Heart Parish, Blackheath – Applications close 12 February 2021

More details at: parracatholic.org/employment

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. It is currently mandatory that masks be worn 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

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.

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

Life, Marriage and Family Office Marriage Preparation Courses

Dates for the Diocesan Life, Marriage and Family Office’s in-person marriage preparation weekend courses in 2021 are now available, with the SmartLoving Engaged Online course another option to prepare for your marriage. For more information, or to book your course, visit www.parracatholic.org/pmp or call (02) 8838 3460.

Office For Worship 2021 Liturgical Ministry Formation Course

The Office for Worship’s Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses will be held again in 2021 in early February. This is formation for anyone interested in serving in the Liturgical Ministries of Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Communion to the Sick and Dying and Ministers at the Altar at your parish. If you are interested or would like more information please contact the Office for Worship on (02) 8838 3456 or anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org.

Annual Legal Red Mass: 4 February

The Annual Red Mass, which gives thanks for the work of those who serve the law, will be held on Thursday 4 February at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 7pm, followed by a light supper. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm a commitment to justice and faith. For catering purposes, please confirm your attendance by emailing events@stpatscathedral.com.au or by phone to (02) 8839 8411 by Friday 29 January.

Office for Worship RCIA Exploring the Scrutinies Workshop: 10 February

The Office For Worship will be running an RCIA workshop on the Scrutinies for RCIA coordinators and teams early next year on the evening of Wednesday 10 February at the Institute For Mission, Blacktown (IFM). If you are interested or would like more information please contact the Office for Worship on (02) 8838 3456 or anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org

Glenbrook Parish Lenten Biblical Studies

Parish Priest Fr Joseph Lam will be running Lenten Biblical studies on the Passion of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Mark at St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook. The sessions will be held on:

  • The Trial of Jesus – 23 February at 7.30pm;
  • The Death of Jesus – 9 March at 7.30pm;
  • The Resurrection of Jesus – 23 March at 7.30pm

Due to COVID restrictions, places are limited. To register, please contact secretary@stfinbars.org.au or call the parish office on (02) 4739 8928.

 

 

Other Notices

 

Diocese of Broken Bay Office Space for Lease

The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay has Office space for lease in the Caroline Chisholm Centre in Pennant Hills. If your organisation is looking for a competitive price on Office Rental accommodation, please call Phil Greenwood on 02 8379 1671 or email Philip.greenwood@bbcatholic.org.au for more information.

Madonna magazine – a gift of spiritual sustenance that lasts a whole year

Madonna magazine, published by Jesuit Communications, is an ideal spiritual companion – containing daily prayers, deep reflections and faith-focused articles. We invite you to subscribe or consider taking out a gift subscription for a loved one for only $53 a year. You can find out more about Madonna, how to subscribe, purchase a gift subscription or donate a subscription on the website: www.madonnamagazine.com.au/article/subscriptions

Mt Schoenstatt Spirituality Centre is taking bookings for 2021

As a COVID-safe registered business, the Mt Schoenstatt Spirituality Centre, Mulgoa, is once again available for personal or small group bookings to discern and plan for what the future might look like. They have also begun taking bookings for 2021, with numbers set to increase as restrictions return to normal. For more information, please call (02) 4773 8338, email info@schoenstatt.org.au or visit www.schoenstatt.org.au

Ignatian Spirituality in a time of Engagement Conference: 25 – 27 January

Jesuit College of Spirituality and Newman College invite you to the ‘Ignatian Spirituality in a time of Engagement’ three-day online conference from 25 to 27 January. The full conference pass is $200, with a single day pass at $75 per day. Registrations are now open, so visit https://www.trybooking.com/BMYUO. For enquiries, please contact enquiries@jcs.edu.au or phone (03) 9448 8276.

Rachel’s Vineyard post-abortion ministry workshop: 13 February

Rachel’s Vineyard, Sydney, invites those involved in post-abortion healing ministry to a half-day workshop with Marist Priest Thomas Ryan SM on Saturday 13 February from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Good Samaritan Centre, Glebe. The workshop is free, with morning tea provided, but is for limited numbers, so to RSVP, contact info@rachelsvineyard.org.au  or 0400 092 555. Further information available at www.rachelsvineyard.org.au

Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend: 21 – 22 February 2021

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. The next Engaged Encounter Weekend will be held on 21 – 22 February 2021 at St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills. For further information and to register, visit www.engagedencounter.org.au/

Rachel’s Vineyard Healing after Abortion Retreat: 30 April – 2 May

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 on 30 April to 2 May. 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

 

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.

 

Read Daily
* indicates required

RELATED STORIES