News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Formation for Mission Officers – Mission Engagement Team (MET), Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close Wednesday 10pm 30 June
- Head of Finance & Business Operations – Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Services Limited (CDPSL) – Applications close 5pm Monday 5 July
More details at: parracatholic.org/employment
- Non-Executive Director (2 positions) – Holy Family Services – Applications close Thursday 1 July
For a copy of the information pack, please contact Anthony Spata on 0402 210 055 or anthony@reachhr.com.au or Sr Grace Roclawska on 0420 754 733 or grace@csfn.org.au
Diocese of Parramatta COVID-19 update
Due to stay-at-home orders from the NSW Government, all church buildings, adoration chapels and other buildings used for prayer and religious services are closed. Public Masses have ceased. Many parishes around the Diocese are celebrating Masses online. For more information, please visit the Diocesan website www.parracatholic.org/covid19
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 a tax-deductible donation 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
Catholic Outlook Magazine book giveaway
With thanks to Catholic Healthcare, the Winter 2021 edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine is giving away three copies of the wonderful book “Sharing the Wisdom of Time by Pope Francis and Friends” just in time for the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. Entries are now open until 15 July 2021. Pick up your copy of Catholic Outlook to get details of how to enter today!
‘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.
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. Find more information at parracatholic.org/diocesanfooddrive.
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.
CatholicCare 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.
Office for Worship Liturgical Ministry Formation Course
The Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses will be running a second time in August. This is formation for anyone interested in serving in the Liturgical Ministries of Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion and Communion to the Sick and Dying and Ministers. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the Office for Worship on (02) 8838 3456 or anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org; or download the August 2021 enrolment form via officeforworship.org.au
Themes of Faith 2021 – Diocesan Small Groups Formation Opportunity
A guided exploration of key components of Catholic life through live small group discussion of reading material. The discussion groups are already underway but the remaining 4 out of 10 sessions of the program are still open for sign up until 1 July 2021. Express your interest today and enjoy this shorter experience as a small taste of the full Themes of Faith Program by contacting Donnie Velasco on 0432 042 140 or donnie.velasco@parracatholic.org
Rouse Hill Parish Mandarin Mass
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
Tri-Diocesan Social Justice Reflection Evening: 30 June
You are invited to attend a social justice reflection evening jointly hosted by the Archdiocese of Sydney, the Diocese of Broken Bay and the Diocese of Parramatta on Wednesday 30 June from 6.30pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the evening will be held online via Zoom. The reflection evening will discuss the ACBC’s 2020-21 Social Justice Statement ‘To Live Life to the Full: Mental Health in Australia Today’. Contact emma.baker@bbcatholic.org.au for a Zoom link.
**POSTPONED** CYP LIFTED Retreat “Stay with Us”: 2 – 4 July
Please be aware that due to COVID-19 restrictions, Catholic Youth Parramatta’s LIFTED Retreat has been postponed. If you had previously registered, please check your email for updates. Stay tuned for updates about a rescheduled retreat.
Office for Worship RCIA Teams Formation Sessions: Starting 21 July
The Office For Worship will be running a series of formation sessions for RCIA coordinators and teams in parishes. The sessions will take place in the evenings and will run over 5 weeks, beginning on Wednesday 21 July 2021. If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact the Office for Worship on (02) 8838 3456 or anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org.
Annulment Information Webinar: 21 July
The Diocese of Parramatta’s Tribunal Office, together with CatholicCare Solo Parent Services, are presenting an Information Webinar to help people understand the process of Annulments in the Catholic Church. The event will be held via Zoom on Wednesday 21 July from 7pm to 9pm. Registration is essential. For further details and to register, please call the Tribunal Office on (02) 8838 3480 or email tribunal@parracatholic.org
2021 Faith in Marriage Seminar: 13 August
Guest speaker Robert Haddad will discuss “Living marriage, living faith, ideas to inspire your children” at the Life, Family and Marriage Office’s 2021 Faith in Marriage Seminar on Friday 13 August at St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, Parramatta, from 7.30pm. The event is free, but booking is required. Free parking will be available at the Cathedral and overflow carpark. Please register your attendance to 02 8838 3460 or marisa.vanderhout@parracatholic.org
Other Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Internal Audit and Risk Officer – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 2 July 2021
- Assistant Principal Religious Education – O’Loughlin Catholic College, Karama, Northern Territory – Applications close 4pm 5 July 2021
- Principal – St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Humpty Doo, Northern Territory – Applications close 7 July 2021
- Education Officer: EAL/D Teaching and Learning – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm 9 July 2021
- Expressions of interest – Classroom Teacher – St Francis Xavier Catholic School, Daly River, Northern Territory – contact mcginlay@nt.catholic.edu.au
- Expressions of interest – Classroom Teacher – Xavier Catholic College, Wurrumiyanga, Northern Territory – contact Rice@nt.catholic.edu.au
For more details, please visit https://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/employment/current-vacancies/
Fan the Flame – Towards Plenary Assembly One October 2021
“What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him?” Mark 6:1-6
Catholic Education at all levels plays a key role in enabling an encounter of worldviews and perspectives in the shared quest for truth, wisdom and the common good. (Congregation for Catholic Education, Educating to Intercultural Dialogue in Catholic Schools: Living in Harmony for a Civilisation of Love (2013)
www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/fantheflame/
Save our Graves
You are encouraged to sign a petition from the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney to reverse the NSW government’s decision to exclude faith and charitable groups from cemetery management. The petition can be signed at saveourgraves.com.au
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. Find some familiar faces from the Diocese of Parramatta celebrating Mass over the coming weeks. Find out more at www.massforyou.com.au
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
St Vincent Pallotti Scholarship Trust
The St Vincent Pallotti Scholarship Trust offers scholarships to enable lay people to further their understanding and skills in leadership/ministry or a specialised activity, such as promoting faith enhancement, social justice and pastoral care. More information and Applications Forms are available on our website https://pallottine.org.au/scholarships/st-vincent-pallotti-scholar-shipfor-lay-ministry.html. Applications close 30 July 2021.
Alive in the Spirit Virtual Pastoral Ministry Conference: 8 – 10 July
“Alive in the Spirit”, an innovative online pastoral ministry conference, from 8 to 10 July 2021, will enliven and inspire our Catholic Church through a variety of keynotes, workshops and enriching prayer and worship experiences. To register or find out more details, please go to www.aliveinthespirit.com.au or contact Lisa Bright on 0448 652 720.
National Catholic Men’s Gathering: 31 July
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
Finding God in Australia Retreat: 6 – 8 August
Fr John Hill CSsR will be presenting a retreat on “Finding God in Australia” at the St Clement’s Retreat Centre, Galong, NSW, from 6 to 8 August. This retreat will provide an opportunity to reflect about life here in Australia and to renew the foundations of faith for the future. Ensuite rooms are $350, with shared facilities $300. To register, please contact (02) 6380 5222 or email info@stclement.com.au
Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend: 7 – 8 August
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 7 – 8 August. For further information and to register, visit www.engagedencounter.org.au/
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Marriage Enrichment Weekend: 21 – 22 August
The Worldwide Marriage Encounter are hosting a Live-Out Marriage Enrichment Weekend from 21 to 22 August at St John Bosco Parish, Engadine. 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
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.
