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 videos for the Amoris Laetitia Year of the Family and another inspiring cover from the Good Shepherd Youth Choir. 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 September 1 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
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’.
Thank you for caring for our retired clergy
Thanks to your kind and compassionate support, the Clergy Support Foundation can continue to ensure our priests’ physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing is nurtured. And, where needed, support our ageing priests’ daily living, health care and medical expenses; along with home comforts and essentials for living well. Donations for the Father’s Day Appeal can be made 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.
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:
- Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care) – MacKillop Catholic College, Palmerston, Northern Territory – Applications close Thursday 9 September
- Re-Advertised Travel Officer – Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm Monday 13 September
- Re-Advertised Teaching Vacancies – 2022 Urban and Regional Schools, Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm Thursday 16 September
- Re-Advertised Teach in the Territory – Aboriginal Catholic Community Schools 2022-23, Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close 4pm Thursday 16 September
- Pastoral Care and Behaviour Education Officer – Teaching and Learning, Catholic Education Northern Territory, Darwin – Applications close Monday 20 September
- Principal – Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Karama, Northern Territory – Applications close Monday 27 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
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ Mark 8:27-35
There can be no shortcuts, no bypassing the cross or the tomb, to encounter the resurrection. For new life and new hope to emerge, we need to acknowledge that we are a broken, hurt and traumatised Church… by standing in solidarity and compassion with each other, particularly the wounded, the poor and the traumatised. (Humble, Healing and Merciful – Discernment Paper pp. 12 and 18)
www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/fantheflame/
Safeguarding Sunday: 12 September
Our parishes and the Diocese of Parramatta are committed to the care, wellbeing and protection of children, young people and people at risk in our community. May our message be that child protection and the dignity of every person is the responsibility of every adult. You can find out more about the Church’s work in this area at: www.catholic.org.au/safeguardingsunday
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/?partner=dioceseparramatta
Donate to Caritas’ Emergency Response Appeal for Haiti
Caritas Australia’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of 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
From 1 August, 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/
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
Campion College Virtual Open Day: 28 September
Campion College, the Australian liberal arts college based in Toongabbie are holding a virtual open day on Tuesday 28 September from 10am to 5pm. This is the perfect opportunity for prospective students to find out more about the College and their liberal arts degree. For more information, and to register, please visit https://www.campion.edu.au/virtual-open-day/
2021 Abraham Conference – Women Leaders in the Abrahamic Traditions: 10 October
The Abraham Conference plays an important role in bringing Jews, Christians and Muslims together to discuss contemporary issues of concern for the members of the three religions and for the wider society. This year’s conference, which will discuss ‘Women Leaders in the Abrahamic Traditions: Role Models for Our Time’, will be livestreamed for free via Zoom on Sunday 10 October from 2.30pm to 4pm. To register, please visit https://events.humanitix.com/2021-abraham-conference
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.
