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
- Natural Family Planning Educator (Casual) – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 19 February 2021
- Social Justice Coordinator – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 5pm 22 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.
Institute for Mission 2021 formation programs – sign up today
Interested or already involved in your parish community initiatives? Looking to explore key themes of the Catholic tradition? Express your interest today in the Institute for Mission’s Reflective Ministry and Themes of Faith programs for your life and faith enrichment. They are 100% free and begin in early March in an online format. For more information, contact Sr Grace on 9296 6369 or grace.roclawska@ifm.org.au or Donnie on 0432042140 or donnie.velasco@ifm.org.au
Join the bellringers of St Patrick’s Cathedral!
The Peal of Bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral have been officially installed. Bell ringing commences 10.30am Sundays ahead of the Solemn Mass. If you would like to enquire about learning to ring the bells, please contact Fr Christopher Del Rosario on Christopher.Del-Rosario@parracatholic.org. For further information, please visit https://stpatscathedral.com.au/bellsofstpatricks/
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
Positions Vacant:
- Sacramental and Ministries Coordinator (part-time) – All Saints Catholic Parish, Liverpool – Applications close 12 February 2021
For more details, please contact Anthony Spata at REACH Human Resources on 0402 210 055.
- Leader Teaching and Learning – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 8 February 2021
- Education Officer: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy (7-12) Teaching and Learning – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 8 February 2021
- Education Officer: Aboriginal Education Teaching and Learning – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 8 February 2021
- Manager – Infrastructure – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 8 February 2021
- Manager Urban School Finance: School Services – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 8 February
- Principals’ Consultant – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 15 February 2021
- Behaviour and Wellbeing Education Advisor Teaching and Learning – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 1 March 2021
For more details, please visit https://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/employment/career-opportunities/
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
Project Compassion – Virtual Immersions
Each week during this Lenten season, Caritas Australia is holding Virtual Immersion opportunities for parishes via Zoom video conferencing. These digital engagements will allow participants to focus on prayer and reflection, Catholic Social Teaching and an interview and Q&A with Caritas International Program staff. Sessions will run Tuesdays and Thursdays for one hour across Australia. You can register for a Virtual Immersion by going to lent.caritas.org.au.
ACU World Day of the Sick Webinar: 11 February
ACU and Catholic Health Australia are hosting a webinar on “Vaccines, Viruses and Vulnerabilities: Catholic health and care of the human person” on World Day of the Sick, 11 February from 12pm AEDT. The webinar brings together international experts and thought leaders to discuss mental health, public health and the question of solidarity in the face of this global pandemic. Registration is essential at www.acu.edu.au/wdos2021
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
Pastoral Ministry Network Oceania Webinar: 16 February
The Pastoral Ministry Network, formerly NAPPA, is hosting an online Oceania webinar on ‘Faithful Stewards of God’s Grace’ on Tuesday 16 February 2021 from 11am to 12.15pm (AEDT). The webinar, focusing on the 2018 document of the same name affirms and celebrates the role of the laity in our Church. To register, visit tinyurl.com/oceaniawebinarfeb16
RECongress Retreat: 19 – 22 February
Parish Teams, Pastoral Councillors, Ministry Coordinators and Volunteers – anyone involved in parish life – are invited to be part of a 5-day retreat to experience the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress without leaving the country. The Retreat experience will follow the Congress Outline, include local experiences and conclude with a reflection day to bring together all the learnings to take back into local communities. Visit https://catholicoutlook.org/celebrate-the-re-congress-down-under/ for more information. To register, visit tinyurl.com/congress-retreat-2021
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/
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Online Retreat: 27 February
Women aged 18-35 who want to deepen their relationship with St Joseph are invited to attend an online retreat hosted by The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth on Saturday 27 February from 4pm via Zoom. The retreat will include a reflection, a Q&A session and Evening Prayer. For more information, and to register, contact Sr Paula on 0449 656 406 or vocationscsfn@gmail.com
Jesus Light of the World Communities Healing Retreat: 13 March
The Jesus Light of the World Communities in Rockdale are hosting a healing retreat with Fr Matheus Wuwu MGL on Saturday 13 March from 9am to 4.30pm at St Joseph’s Parish Hall, Rockdale. To book, visit https://www.trybooking.com/BOMRZ. For enquiries, please contact Ida on 0424 267 500, Helen on 0488 037 631, email jlowcommunity@gmail.com or visit www.jlowcom.org.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Marriage Enrichment Weekend: 16 – 18 April
The Worldwide Marriage Encounter are hosting a Marriage Enrichment Weekend from 16 – 18 April 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
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.
