News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
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/
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 strongly 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/
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.
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
Please support our seminarians to answer God’s call to the priesthood
At our Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park, young men are training to become future priests for the Diocese of Parramatta. Your caring gift and prayers are needed to support our seminarians to prepare for a life of service to our community. Please give generously via the Bishop’s Good Shepherd Appeal giving envelopes or online at yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal. Thank you for your kind accompaniment.
Manage your Fertility Naturally!
Are you looking for a natural effective method to manage your fertility? Are you trying to achieve pregnancy? Are you breastfeeding and looking for a natural way to space your children? Natural Fertility Services – Diocese of Parramatta might just have the answers you’re searching for. For more information, or to book an appointment, contact Catherine on 0400 427 605 or catherinebourne@parra.catholic.org or visit www.parralmf.org.au
The FaithFeed Studio Audience Online: 20 May
The next FaithFeed Livestream Studio Audiences is coming up on Thursday 20 May from 7pm. Experience another live session of life and faith stories from people in their mid 20s to 40s. To register, please visit tinyurl.com/studioaudience or visit facebook.com/thefaithfeedparramatta
IFM Online Pentecost Scripture Night: 25 May
The Institute for Mission invites you online to enjoy scripture presenter Dr Michele Connolly rsj as she revisits Pentecost’s readings on 25 May at 7pm. Register now via www.tinyurl.com/ifmrego. Please feel free to speak to any of the IFM Team on (02) 9296 6369 if you require any further information or send us an email to connect@ifm.org.au.
Journey of Faith: 28 May – 25 June
You are invited to a short course on spirituality to reflect on your image of God and how God is present in your life as well as to explore faith through the ages, using input, song, ritual and prayer. These sessions, facilitated by Cecilia Zammit, will be held from 10am to 2pm at the Institute for Mission, Blacktown. BYO lunch and your bible. Please register with Maree at maree.collis@parracatholic.org or phone (02) 8838 3486.
Young Adult Faith Formation: 6 June
Young Adult Faith Formation sessions continue on Sunday 6 June at The Hustle, 4-6 Purdy Rd, Minchinbury, at 7pm. Fr Sam Fancourt will speak and lead discussion on the Attraction of Truth. 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.
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
Rouse Hill Parish Mandarin Mass: Starting June 20
Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, will commence celebrating Masses in Mandarin on the third Sunday of each month, beginning on 20 June at 3pm. Mass will be followed by afternoon tea. For more information, please contact the parish office on (02) 8883 4063 or email parishoffice@ourladyoftheangels.org.au
Archbishop Tim Costelloe SBD Public Lecture: 28 June
Archbishop Tim Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth and President of the Plenary Council, will be speaking on the coming Plenary Council at a public lecture in the Diocese of Parramatta at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on Monday 28 June at 7pm. Bookings are essential, as limited spaces are available. Please RSVP by 25 June to mark.oconnor@parracatholic.org
Other Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Principal – St Michael’s Primary School, Berwick, Diocese of Sale, Victoria – Applications close 4pm Wednesday 19 May
- Principal – St Vincent de Paul Primary School, Morwell, Diocese of Sale, Victoria – Applications close 4pm Wednesday 19 May
- Principal – St Joseph’s Primary School, Warragul, Diocese of Sale, Victoria – Applications close 4pm Wednesday 19 May
For more details, please visit https://www.ceosale.catholic.edu.au/work-with-us/positions-vacant
- School Psychologist – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm Monday 31 May
- Human Resource Manager – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm Monday 31 May
- Deputy Principal – St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Humpty Doo, Northern Territory – Applications close Thursday 3 June
For more details, please visit https://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/employment/current-vacancies/
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
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
St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre Men’s Weekend: 21 – 23 May
St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre in Douglas Park, NSW, is hosting a Men’s Weekend retreat from 21 to 23 May. The retreat will reflect on select scripture passages and exploring how the power of ‘Yes!’ changed circumstances in dark times. Registration is $290 per person. For enquiries and the RSVP, email contact@towersreteat.org.au, call (02) 4630 0233 or visit http://towersretreat.org.au
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.