News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
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
‘The Well’ offers spiritual nourishment during lockdown
Need some inspiration and spiritual encouragement during lockdown? Why not check out The Well? The Diocese’s ‘on demand’ streaming site has a tonne of video and prayer resources for you to explore and engage with during this difficult time. Check it out on www.thewell.org.au
Parish Online Ministry during COVID
There are an extraordinary amount of initiatives taking place online across the Diocese in a number of parishes. These include games nights, trivia competitions, formation, scripture studies and wellbeing check-ins. If your community is willing to share these opportunities beyond your own Parish, the Mission Enhancement Team (MET Parramatta) would love to hear from you and help connect others who are struggling at this time. Email met@parracatholic.org
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 catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or visit www.parralmf.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.
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 enrolment form via officeforworship.org.au
Rouse Hill Parish Mandarin Mass
Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, will be celebrating Masses in Mandarin on the third Sunday of each month 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
Euthanasia, Dying and the Dignity of the Human Person Talks
The Diocese of Parramatta is co-hosting a series of talks on euthanasia with the Diocese of Broken Bay ahead of the expected introduction of a draft bill in NSW Parliament to legalise euthanasia. The series of talks will be held via Zoom over three Monday nights starting 2 August at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend. Information and registration can be found at parracatholic.org/euthanasiatalks/
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
Pastoral Council Formation and Training Session: 28 July
The next Parish, Deanery and Diocesan pastoral council formation and training session will be held on Wednesday 28 July from 7.30pm to 9pm via Zoom. This session will be on ‘Listening to the Heart of our Faith’ and presented by Donnie Velasco from the Diocesan Formation for Mission Team. Register at https://tinyurl.com/326esvk6. For any further information, please contact Tanya Quinn on tanya.quinn@parracatholic.org or call 0459 133 665.
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
Adult Confirmation: 2 September
Adult Confirmation in the Diocese will be held on Thursday 2 September at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta at 7.30pm. This is for those who have reached the age of 16 years and have yet to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Prior to the Mass, there will be a Catechesis day on Saturday August 21 at the Institute for Mission (IFM) Blacktown from 9.30am to 3pm. For information and registration contact the Office For Worship at (02) 8838 3456 or email anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org
Other Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Youth & Networking Coordinator – 12 Month Contract – Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations – Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 1 August
For more details, please visit https://catholicoutlook.org/the-columban-centre-for-christian-muslim-relations-is-hiring/
- Travel Officer – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm Wednesday 4 August
- 2022 Teaching Vacancies – Urban and Regional schools, Catholic Education Northern Territory – Applications close 4pm Tuesday 10 August
- 2022-2023 Teaching Opportunities – Aboriginal Catholic Community Schools, Catholic Education Northern Territory – Applications close 4pm Tuesday 10 August
For more details, please visit https://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/employment/current-vacancies/
Fan the Flame – Towards Plenary Assembly One October 2021
“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all who were sitting ready” John 6:1-15
Grace moves God’s people to ask questions grounded in the call we received at Baptism: how do we better nourish, accompany, give witness, support, invite, welcome, engage and be present to others, such that we all grow in holiness? (Prayerful and Eucharistic – Discernment Paper p. 6)
www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/fantheflame/
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Pope Francis has proclaimed the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July each year – July 25 this year. It is marked near the feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. Parishes, schools, aged care facilities and other ministries are encouraged to find creative ways to celebrate the contribution of older people to their families and communities. Access resources at www.catholic.org.au/grandparents
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.
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
ACBC 2021-2022 Social Justice Statement Launch: 5 August
Join us for the national launch of the ACBC Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, online on Thursday 5 August from 5.30pm to 6.30pm AEST. This year’s statement focuses on building the theological foundations of caring for our common home and our human family. To register for the event, visit https://bit.ly/SJSLaunch
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.
