News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Head: Formation for Mission – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close Monday 10 May
- Head: Mission Engagement – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close Monday 10 May
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. 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 Vincent’s pastoral letter on the proposed Parental Rights Bill
Bishop Vincent has released a pastoral letter to the pastors, parents and the faithful of the Diocese of Parramatta on the proposed Parental Rights Bill. The letter can be read here: https://parracatholic.org/pastoral-letter-to-the-people-of-parramatta-on-the-parental-rights-bill/
CatholicCare Blacktown Neighbourhood Aid Volunteers Needed
Blacktown Neighbour Aid, a program with CatholicCare, is looking for volunteers to support our senior clients in the Blacktown area to remain living independently in their own home. If you feel you would like to make a positive difference to other’s lives in this way, please contact the Manager, Deb Woolacott on 0418 114 055 or email deb.woolacott@ccss.org.au.
Community Visitors Scheme Volunteers Needed
The Community Visitors Scheme, a program with CatholicCare, is looking for volunteers to provide a friendly visit to residents in local Aged Care Facilities who are lonely or isolated from their family and friends. If you feel you could spare one hour a week or a fortnight to help a person feel more valued and respected, please contact the Manager, Deb Woolacott on 0418 114 055 or email deb.woolacott@ccss.org.au.
Introduction to Safeguarding Training
The Diocese of Parramatta is launching new online Safeguarding training for all parish staff and volunteers. Zoom sessions to introduce the training will be held 2pm-3pm on May 5. More information to follow or email Sonia Fingleton at the Diocese at Sonia.fingleton@parracatholic.org
Pastoral Council Formation and Training
The Pastoral Planning Office are hosting monthly Zoom sessions offering best practice in a variety of areas for parish, deanery and diocesan pastoral councils to serve Christ’s mission. Sessions will be held on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm to 9pm. To share and grow with other parish councils, please register at https://tinyurl.com/serving-christs-mission or contact Lisa for more information on 0448 652 720 or lisa.bright@parracatholic.org
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.
Glenbrook Parish Women’s Retreat: 12 June
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook, is hosting a women’s retreat filled with peace, prayerfulness, adoration, Mass, Reconciliation, guest speakers and praise and worship. It will be held at the parish on 12 June from 8.30am to 8.30pm. Registration is $60, and with places limited, register now at https://forms.gle/KkBaTAvm1qkYYCzm8. For enquiries, email beloved2021info@gmail.com
Other Notices
Get vaccinated for the common good
Vaccination against COVID-19 is a morally good thing, providing protection for the person vaccinated and the wider community. Some COVID-19 vaccines are associated with ethically questionable production and research practices, but Pope Francis and the Australian Bishops have advised that it is morally permissible to receive any vaccine made available. More information is available at https://www.catholic.org.au/coronavirus
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
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. 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
Jesuit Mission Gift for Change this Mother’s Day
Instead of flowers or another pair of PJ’s, this Mother’s Day you can give Mum a gift that transforms lives, through Gifts for Change from Jesuit Mission. You’ll receive an instant e-card to give to your Mum, and even better your gift is tax-deductible. By giving a Gift for Change this Mother’s Day, you will help restore dignity to men, women and children living in the margins. Go to shop.jesuitmission.org.au
Helping the education of priests in Rome
Close to the Pope, and experiencing each day the universality of the Church, thousands of seminarians and priests from all over the world are being educated at Pontifical Universities. The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross Foundation in Sydney exists to sponsor candidates to study in Rome. To donate or leave a bequest to the foundation, please visit http://www.pontifoundation.org.au/ or contact pontiuni.au@gmail.com
Support Mass for You at Home
Many people who are isolated, in prison, in hospital or don’t have internet rely on Mass for You at Home. The Catholic Mass is broadcast free-to-air each Sunday morning on Channel 10 and WIN at 6am. Can you support the project, through prayers or financial support? Find out more at www.massforyou.com.au
Catholic Theological College Engaging Your Faith Series: 11 – 31 May
The Catholic Theological College is hosting a series of online lectures via Zoom on Engaging Your Faith from 11 to 31 May. The Engaging Your Faith offers short sessions on a variety of topics including: Spirituality, Women in the Early Church and The Eucharist. Sessions are $20 each. Registration is essential via https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=747351&. For further information, contact Rose Sultana, Academic Records Office on (03) 9412 3307 or rose.sultana@ctc.edu.au
Young Women Online Vocations Retreat: 15 May
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and Passionists Sisters of Saint Paul of the Cross invite single women aged 18 to 35 to their online retreat on Saturday 15 May at 4pm. The retreat will include a reflection, a talk, Q&A session and prayer. If you would like to participate, or for more information, please contact Sr Paula Volchek on 0449 656 406 or vocationscsfn@gmail.com
Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day: 16 May
You are invited to a Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day at St Benedict’s Monastery, 121 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia, on Sunday 16 May from 10.30am to 3pm, with registration from 10am. BYO picnic lunch and other refreshments. No need to register ahead of time. Donations welcome. For enquiries, please contact either Ann Bergman on anniebergman@hotmail.com or Ann Lomas on atlomas@bigpond.com or (02) 9653 2637.
Heart of Creation Reflection Day: 23 May
Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia are hosting a day retreat on the Ignatian understanding of Creation on Sunday 23 May from 9am to 3pm at the Winbourne Function and Retreat Centre, Mulgoa. The retreat will use imagery, story and creative ways to explore our experience of the gift of creation. Registration is $90, with morning tea provided and BYO lunch. To book, visit https://jisa.org.au/retreat/2957/ and for more information, contact info@jisa.org.au
National Catholic Men’s Gathering: 31 July 2021
The National Catholic Men’s Gathering for 2021 will be launched online on Saturday 31 July. Join a diocesan group with your Bishop, or with your Men’s Ministry/Parish group or individually. Three sessions will be provided online, along with reflection questions for group discussion or individual reflection. The gathering aims to inspire and encourage all Catholic men with a vision for personal discipleship, service and mission in the family, parish/diocese and the world. Register for free at www.catholicmensgathering.com.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.
