News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Parish Office Administration Assistant (permanent part-time) – St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood – Applications close Friday 9 April.
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. A range of new resources for Holy Week and Easter will be uploaded this week, including a full re-enactment of the Passion of the Lord. 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/
Vale Fr Michael “Mick” O’Callaghan
A Mass of Christian Burial for Fr Michael “Mick” O’Callaghan was celebrated at the Parish of Baulkham Hills (St Michael’s Church) on Wednesday 17 March. Born on 22 April 1942 and ordained to the priesthood on 27 August 1976, Fr Mick was a priest for 45 years. He died on 5 March 2021, aged 78. Read more at: shorturl.at/flyzU
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.
Bishop Vincent’s pastoral letter on Holy Week 2021
Bishop Vincent has released a pastoral letter to the people of Parramatta on the coronavirus and Holy Week 2021. The letter can be read here: shorturl.at/flvQ4
Pastoral Council Formation and Training
The Pastoral Planning Office are hosting monthly Zoom sessions offering tips, tricks and best practice in a variety of areas for healthy and productive parish, deanery and diocesan pastoral councils. Sessions will be held on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm to 9pm. If you are on a council or work closely with our councils, claim this date. Register at https://tinyurl.com/serving-christs-mission or contact Lisa for more information on 0448 652 720 or lisa.bright@parracatholic.org
Young Adult Faith Formation: 11 April
Young Adult faith formation sessions continue on Sunday 11 April at The Hustle, 4-6 Purdy Rd Minchinbury, at 7pm. Christian Stephens will speak and lead discussion on the topic of Jesus: Liar, Lunatic or Lord? We encourage all adults 18-35 to come along and enjoy some faith formation and fellowship! Call Mark on 0477 004 678 for more information.
Dr Laurie Woods Gospel Study Series
CCD is pleased to offer a Study of the Gospel of St John with Dr Laurie Woods over 5 Fridays – 23 and 30 April and 7, 14 and 21 May. These sessions, held from 9.30am to 2pm, will open our eyes to the depth of this Gospel and its application to everyday life, and are open to all. Please register with Maree at maree.collis@parracatholic.org or phone (02) 8838 3486.
Other Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Deputy Principal – Xavier Catholic College, Wurruminyanga, Northern Territory – Applications close 4pm 5 April 2021
- Education Officer: Religious Education (Primary) – Teaching and Learning – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 5 April 2021
- Applications Data and Reporting Coordinator – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 6 April 2021
- Principal – MacKillop Catholic College, Palmerston, Northern Territory – Applications close 7 April 2021
For more details, please visit https://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/employment/career-opportunities/
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.
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Prayer Companion Program
Are you thinking about your future life as a woman? Are you searching for God’s Will? The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth are offering a prayer companion program beginning Friday 23 April at 7pm. You can request a sister to pray for you every day through the intercession of our Mother Foundress. To sign up, or for more information, please contact Sr Paula on 0449 656 406 or vocationscsfn@gmail.com
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.
MGL Disciples School of Mission: 7 – 11 April
Are you aged between 16 – 40 and searching for an adventure in 2021? If so, then join the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters for the Disciples School of Mission. This five day live-in training course calls young people from across Australia to be equipped in youth ministry and evangelisation. Be renewed in your own journey, fully equipped for mission/youth ministry and formed in the Catholic faith. For more information, contact therese.mgl@gmail.com or visit disciplesschoolofmission.com.au
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
Become Like Water 6-Day Retreat: 23 – 29 April
St Mary’s Retreat Centre, Douglas Park, is hosting a 6-day retreat and prayer weekend from 23 to 29 April. This retreat will notice how we are called to be participants in the life of grace by reflecting on the Mysteries of Light and where we notice the waters of baptism welling up within us. The 6-day retreat is $870, with the prayer weekend of 23-25 April $290. For more information, and to register, call (02) 4630 0233, email contact@towersretreat.org.au or visit www.towerstreat.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
Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend: 1 – 2 May 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 1 – 2 May. For further information and to register, visit www.engagedencounter.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.
