News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
- St Patrick’s Gift Shop Manager – St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta – Applications close 14 March 2021
- Diocese of Parramatta Receptionist – Bethany Centre, Parramatta
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 highly recommended 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
‘The Well’ offers new refreshment in 2021
‘The Well’ is back in 2021. The team are hoping to drip-feed new and relatable content every 72 hours that supports your ministry with family, friends, students, colleagues and strangers. Catholic Education and Catholic Youth Parramatta are ‘first cabs off the rank’ with content uploaded for Lent and the Year of Saint Joseph. Check it out on 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 House of Welcome on office@houseofwelcome.com.au or (02) 9727 9290 or JRS on foodbank@jrs.org.au or (02) 9098 9336.
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.
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/
Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal
Help CatholicCare chaplains bring comfort, faith and hope to the sick and isolated. Your compassionate gifts and prayers will help CatholicCare chaplains provide spiritual, sacramental and emotional support in the footsteps of the Good Samaritan. Please give generously to the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal via yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal. Thank you for accompanying them on their journey.
Vale Bishop Bede Heather
The life of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Parramatta, Bishop Bede Heather, was celebrated in a Mass of Christian Burial at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta on Thursday 4 March. Bishop Bede was born on 7 December 1928 and ordained a priest on 15 July 1951. He retired as Bishop of Parramatta in 1997. Bishop Bede Heather died today on 25 February 2021, aged 92. Read more at: shorturl.at/moCP2
Catholic Outlook Lent/Easter edition out now!
Catholic Outlook Easter edition is out now and free to all parishioners. We feature a range of articles on developing faith in the family as well as the highlights of Holy Week. Pick up your free copy from your local Catholic Church, Catholic School or Catholic office today.
Other Notices
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 2021: “Be More”
Support Caritas Australia this Lenten season by taking home a Project Compassion box and/or a set of donation envelopes. Through your generosity, you are assisting some of the world’s most vulnerable people build better futures for themselves, their families and their communities. You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes, or by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413.
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.
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.
ACU Leadership and Catholic Women Online Panel: 17 March
ACU’s Xavier Centre for Theological Formation is hosting an online panel and discussion about “Out in front: Leadership and Catholic Women” on Wednesday 17 March from 6.30pm AEDT. Join us for an evening of theologically informed conversations about Catholic women in leadership across a range of organisations. Registrations are essential, so to register, and for more information, please visit https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/events/2021/march/out-in-front-leadership-and-catholic-women
ACBC Consultation for Women session: 27 March
Catholic women are being invited to participate in a national consultation via Zoom on March 27. The event invites women to articulate and celebrate their contribution to and vision for the mission of the Catholic Church in Australia. The event is being organised by the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry. Find more information at www.nce.catholic.org.au/catholicwomen
Pontifical Holy Land Good Friday Collection: 2 April
The annual Pontifical Good Friday Collection will be held on Friday 2 April around Australia. The collection will continue to support the works of the Holy Land Custody through the generosity of the Australian Church. Your donation is a direct way to make a difference in the lives of those who are keeping alive the Christian presence in the land of Jesus in the face of great odds.
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.
