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
Join us on ‘HOME Ground’ over the next four weeks
While in lockdown, you’re invited to ‘HOME Ground’. Online every weeknight for the next four weeks, join us for chat, music, prayer, hot topics and most of all – fun and connection. See the free line-up at parracatholic.org/homeground. The Diocese of Parramatta’s Mission Enhancement Team look forward to seeing you on HOME Ground soon.
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
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/
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.
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.
**CANCELLED** 2021 Faith in Marriage Seminar: 13 August
We regret to inform you that the 2021 Faith in Marriage Seminar, scheduled for Friday 13 August, has been cancelled. The seminar will be rescheduled to a date to be advised. If there are any issues, please contact the Mission Enhancement Team – Parramatta on met@parracatholic.org
Rouse Hill Parish Mandarin Mass: 15 August
The next Catholic Mass in Mandarin celebrated at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, will be held online on Sunday 15 August at 3pm. The Mass will be livestreamed on the parish’s Facebook page. The regular Chinese Tea held after Mass is postponed until further notice. For more information, please contact the parish office on (02) 8883 4063 or email parishoffice@ourladyoftheangels.org.au
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
- Principal – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Thamarrurr Catholic College, Wadeye, Northern Territory – Applications close Wednesday 11 August
- Pre-school Teacher – Ltyentye Apurte Catholic School, Santa Teresa, Northern Territory – Applications close Monday 16 August
For more details, please visit https://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/employment/current-vacancies/
Fan the Flame – Towards Plenary Assembly One October 2021
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.” Matthew 28:16-20
The ethical and missionary implications of the Eucharist for the Church’s communion of faith will always be incomplete while the poor go hungry, for “we cannot properly receive the Bread of Life without sharing bread for life with those in want”. (Pedro Arrupe, “Address prior to Eucharistic Congress 1976”, The Portal to Jesuit Studies, accessed 23 April 2021, https://jesuitportal.bc.edu/research/documents/1976_arrupeeucharist/)
www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/fantheflame/
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
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
**CANCELLED** Worldwide Marriage Encounter Marriage Enrichment Weekend: 21 – 22 August
Dear Friends. With much disappointment, we would like to inform you that our Worldwide Marriage Encounter “Live Out” weekend from 21 to 22 August in Engadine has been cancelled. For more information, please 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.
