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. Our latest offerings include The FaithFeed’s most recent livestream session and a special international version of Worship Wednesday. 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.
UPDATE: Social Justice COVID-19 Food and Toiletries Drive
During lockdown, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and House of Welcome (HoW) cannot receive physical food and toiletry donations. However, many refugee families are still relying on their foodbanks or the provision of food vouchers. In this difficult time, please support JRS and HoW with a cash donation if you can. Find more information at parracatholic.org/diocesanfooddrive or call JRS on (02) 9356 3888 or HoW on (02) 9727 9290.
World Day of Prayer for Creation & Season of Creation
Pope Francis has designated 1 September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Join Pope Francis and Christians around the globe in praying for and taking action for our common home on 1 September and during the Season of Creation (1 Sept – 4 Oct). For more information, resources, and activities in the Diocese of Parramatta, visit parracatholic.org/seasonofcreation
Please support our priests’ dignified retirement and those clergy who are in ill-health
This Father’s Day, please spare a thought for our humble priests who have cared for our faith community’s spiritual nourishment and wellbeing for all their lives. With your generosity, the Clergy Support Foundation helps our priests with the personal, professional, and practical care and guidance needed to transition to a dignified and well-deserved retirement. Please give generously via the Father’s Day Appeal at parracatholic.org/fathersdayappeal or call (02) 8838 3482.
Diocese of Parramatta launches Plenary Council resource website
A new website provides resources for parishioners in the Diocese of Parramatta to stay involved in the Plenary Council, which is exploring what the future of our Church should look like. The first assembly starts in October, so visit parracatholic.org/plenary-2021/ to find a range of information, a Diocesan prayer and more.
Office for Safeguarding offering online training to keep our parishes safe
The Office for Safeguarding is providing an opportunity for all of us to develop our awareness and skills in ensuring our parishes are safe and welcoming places for all. The team are currently offering accompanied online training courses throughout September and October. If you are interested or have any questions about the Safeguarding Training, please email our Safeguarding office on safeguardingtraining@parracatholic.org or maria.kervin@parracatholic.org.
Catholic Outlook book giveaway
To celebrate Father’s Day 2021, and with thanks to Coventry Press, Catholic Outlook is giving away three copies of “Matters of Life and Faith” by Paul Mitchell – a beautiful book about faith and fatherhood. Entries are now open until 9 September. Enter today via catholicoutlook.org and fill out the form under ‘Book Giveaway’.
HOME Ground Fertility Awareness Zoom Session: 7 and 14 September
Are you looking for a new method of family planning that will empower you to understand how your body works? Join a private Zoom event at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7 September as part of our HOME Ground initiative. This session, which will be repeated on 14 September, will cover The Sympto-Thermal Method, and hear from couples that are using it. To register, please contact Catherine on catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or call 0400 427 605.
Rouse Hill Parish Mandarin Mass: 19 September
The next Catholic Mass in Mandarin celebrated at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, will be held online on Sunday 19 September 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:
- Principal – Xavier Catholic College, Wurrumiyanga, Northern Territory – Applications close Wednesday 1 September 2021
- Internal Audit and Risk Officer – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm Monday 6 September
- Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care) – MacKillop Catholic College, Palmerston, Northern Territory – Applications close Thursday 9 September
- Re-Advertised Teaching Vacancies – 2022 Urban and Regional Schools, Catholic Education Northern Territory – Applications close 4pm Tuesday 16 September
- Re-Advertised Teach in the Territory – Aboriginal Catholic Community Schools 2022-23, Catholic Education Northern Territory – Applications close 4pm Tuesday 16 September
- Expression of Interest – Classroom teacher – St Francis Xavier Catholic School, Daly River, Northern Territory – contact mcginlay@nt.catholic.edu.au for further information
For more details, please visit https://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/employment/current-vacancies/
- Diocesan Financial Administrator – Diocese of Broome
- Finance Officer – Diocese of Broome
- Secretary/Personal Assistant – Diocese of Broome
- Volunteer Support & Compliance Officer – Diocese of Broome
- Finance Assistant – Diocese of Broome
- Kalumburu Mission Manager – Diocese of Broome
For a confidential discussion about these positions and to obtain a copy of the Duty Statements and Information Pack, please contact Tony Rogers on 0488 032 656 or admin@broomediocese.org
Fan the Flame – Towards Plenary Assembly One October 2021
‘He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’ Mark 7:31-37
The Church hears the cries of the poor and the groans of the earth. It seeks to stand in solidarity with the poor and the marginalised, and to exercise good stewardship of the fragile ecosystems that support life on earth. (Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, “A New Earth: The Environmental Challenge. Social Justice Statement 2002”, accessed 23 April 2021, https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Social-Justice-Statement-2002.pdf, 10.)
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
Vinnies Support Centres are still available to those in need
St Vincent de Paul Support Centres across Greater Sydney are still available and taking calls to arrange for food vouchers or other items to be provided to those in need. If you need assistance, call the Support Centres in Blacktown on (02) 8861 9777, Harris Park on (02) 8861 9757 and Penrith on (02) 8861 9770. To find out more about what support is available, visit http://vinnies.org.au/covidsupportnsw
Sign the petition to welcome 20,000 refugees fleeing Afghanistan
In a sign of unity, major Australian church denominations and Christian organisations have come together to urge the Prime Minister to provide a special intake of an additional 20,000 refugees fleeing Afghanistan and support the ongoing wellbeing of all Afghan refugees and their families. For more information and to sign the petition go to www.unitedforafghanistan.com
Donate to Caritas’ Emergency Response Appeal for Haiti
Caritas Australia’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Haiti who have been devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Over 1,400 people have died, and thousands more left injured. There is immediate and urgent need for food, water, shelter, hygiene kits and first aid on the ground. Donate to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Appeal by visiting www.caritas.org.au or by calling 1800 024 413 toll-free.
Caritas Australia responds to humanitarian crises in Afghanistan and Lebanon
In Afghanistan, people have been forced from their homes, with half of the population in urgent need of food, water, shelter and protection. In Lebanon, the country is running out of power, water, fuel, medicine and food. Please donate to Caritas Australia respond to crises like these by visiting caritas.org.au/lebanon or www.caritas.org.au/afghanistan or call 1800 024 413 toll-free to provide much needed support.
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 Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre offering online retreats
St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre in Douglas Park, NSW, is offering a series of online live retreats throughout September and October. All retreats, ranging from a single day to 5 days, start at 10.30am on the first date and conclude at 7pm prayer gathering and will be presented using Microsoft Teams. For further information or to register for any of the retreats, email contact@towersretreat.org.au or visit https://towersretreat.org.au/
Divine Retreat Centre Daily Silent Adoration Livestream
The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW, is livestreaming daily silent adoration from 8.45am to 8.45pm on their ‘Divine Healing & Retreat Centre Sydney Australia’ YouTube Channel. You are free to send prayer requests at any time during the adoration. To tune in, visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFdwfRHPRD95UYnOIFa-lQ
Catholic Theological College Engaging Your Faith Series: 21 August – 16 September
The Catholic Theological College is hosting a series of online lectures via Zoom on Engaging Your Faith from 21 August to 16 September. The Engaging Your Faith offers short sessions on a variety of topics including: Meditation and Compassion and Mercy in the Gospel according to Mark. Sessions are $20 each. For more details, and to register, please visit https://ctc.edu.au/news-and-events/engaging-your-faith/
Mission: One Heart Many Voices Virtual Conference: 1 – 3 September
The fifth biennial Mission: one heart many voices conference will be held online from 1 to 3 September, with an additional day with young people on 4 September. The conference, convened by Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia, directly identify and explore the challenges of living the Gospel and Leading Mission Now in Australia and globally. To view the program and to register, visit www.mohmv.com.au.
Australian Cardijn Institute Webinar – ‘Remembering Pierre Haubtmann, Redactor of Gaudium et Spes’: 6 September
The Australian Cardijn Institute is presenting a webinar on ‘Remembering Pierre Haubtmann, Redactor of Gaudium et Spes’, honouring his memory on the 50th anniversary of his death. The webinar will be held on Monday 6 September from 7pm AEST via Zoom. For more information, and to register, visit https://australiancardijninstitute.org/remembering-pierre-haubtmann-redactor-of-gaudium-et-spes/
Worldwide Marriage Enrichment Virtual Weekend: 10 – 12 September
Worldwide Marriage Enrichment is hosting a Virtual Marriage Encounter Weekend on 10 to 12 September via Zoom. Open to married couples, priests and religious, this is an opportunity for you to 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 & Terry Mahony on 0490 774 419 or nswbookings@wwme.org.au
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Online Discernment Retreat: 25 September
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth are inviting single women aged 18-35 to an online discernment retreat on Saturday 25 September from 4pm. The retreat will include a reflection and talk, a Q&A session and Evening Prayer. If you would like to participate in the Zoom meeting, or for more information, please contact Sr Paula on 0449 656 406 or vocationscsfn@gmail.com
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.
