News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
- ICT Service Desk Analyst (full-time, 6-12 initial contract) – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 10pm Sunday 14 August.
- Credo Youth Groups Coordinator – St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta – Applications close Friday 19 August at 5pm.
- Accounts Officer – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 10pm Sunday 21 August 2022.
- Chaplaincy Coordinator – CatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains – Applications close 10pm Sunday 28 August
More details at: parracatholic.org/employment
2022 Faith in Marriage Seminar: 12 August
Guest speaker Robert Haddad will discuss “Living marriage, living faith, ideas to inspire your children” at the Faith in Marriage Seminar hosted by the Diocese of Parramatta’s MET – Marriage team. The seminar will be held on Friday 12 August at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown, from 7.30pm. The event is free, but booking is required. Free parking is available in the lower ground car park and on neighbouring streets. Please register your attendance to (02) 8838 3460 or marriage@parracatholic.org
The Diocese of Parramatta is heading to WYD23 in Lisbon
Bishop Vincent has announced a pilgrimage to the next World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal from July 21 – August 11, 2023. Young people 16-35 and their families are encouraged to learn more at www.parrawyd.org and register for the upcoming Launch Event featuring Fr Rob Galea on August 18. For all enquiries contact James Camden, Head Mission Engagement – james.camden@parracatholic.org
Peace, Justice & Ecology Sharing: 10 August
“Peace, Justice & Ecology Sharings” are quarterly online gatherings for everyone who is interested in Social Justice, Care for Creation or Global Peace. They are an opportunity to connect, meet like-minded people, find out and discuss what is currently happening in the Peace, Justice & Ecology space. You are invited to join the conversation on Wednesday 10 August from 6:30pm to 8pm. To receive a Zoom link, please RSVP to sebastian.salaske-lentern@parracatholic.org
Get #Active4Vocations and spur our City2Surf team and Holy Spirit Seminarians on
Becoming a priest requires an incredible leap of faith. We have a team of Holy Spirit seminarians, deacons, priests, and community members taking their own leap of faith in the 14km City2Surf this weekend, getting #Active4Vocations.
Show your support and spur them on with a donation. Your generosity will go the distance in helping our seminarians to become priests. Scan this QR code to donate to our #Active4Vocations team members or visit tinyurl.com/Active4Vocations. Thank you.
Pastoral Formation Mission and Evangelisation Short Course: Starts 8 September
Looking for confidence to share your faith? Want to evangelise through life-giving faith conversations? On 3 Thursday nights (Sept 8, 15, 22) journey together with Maddy Forde, a life and faith leader in our Australian Church and representative to the Vatican in the area of youth. Face-to-face from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Bishop Bede Heather Centre (1-5 Marion Street Blacktown). LIMITED SEATS. Register by August 21 via met@parracatholic.org OR via https://pfparra.org.au/signup/
Are you looking for a new way to manage your fertility?
Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods, also known as Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) are natural, effective, healthy and modern approaches to managing fertility. No drugs, devices, or side effects! NFP is especially helpful for couples having difficulties achieving pregnancy as well as those that feel their family is complete. For more information about your options please contact Catherine on catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or 0400 427 605 or visit https://parralmf.org.au/fertility/
Marriage Preparation Courses in 2022
Getting married in 2022? Let the Diocese of Parramatta help you prepare. Visit www.parracatholic.org/pmp to view weekend course dates, to book and pay. An online preparation called SmartLoving can also be booked via the website. For more information, email met@parracatholic.org or phone Karin on 0403 305 431 or Marisa on 0412 280 017.
Pastoral Formation Workshops at Your Parish
Looking for post-Covid ways to rejuvenate community attendance and involvement in your parish? Pastoral Formation are offering workshops on welcoming people to Church, digital/social media and reflection days for people in the second half of life. Contact the team via met@parracatholic.org to run any of these workshops face-to-face at your parish.
Soul Food Podcast – Pastoral Formation
Do you find life & faith inspiration by listening to the experiences of others?
Pastoral Formation’s Soul Food Podcast features life & faith stories of people from our diocesan family. Listen now for FREE via our website or on Spotify: https://pfparra.org.au/soulfood/
Office for Worship RCIA Seminar Series: Beginning 3 August
The Office For Worship will be running a series for RCIA coordinators & teams and anyone who might be interested in understanding the RCIA process. Topics to be covered include: The Fundamentals of RCIA, Ecclesiology, Social Teaching of the Church, and the journey of Mystagogia. The workshops will run on five Wednesday evenings from 3 to 31 August at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact anne.stanton@parracatholic.org or at (02) 8838 3456.
Adult Confirmation: 1 September
Adult Confirmation 2022 will be held on 1 September 2022 at 7:30pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral with the Catechesis and Formation Day to be held on Saturday 20 August at 9:30am at the Bede Heather Centre (formerly known as the IFM). Adult Confirmation is a community celebration for those who have reached the age of 16 years and have received both the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, but are yet to receive the Confirmation. If you would like more information please contact the Office for Worship on (02) 8838 3456 or anne.stanton@parracatholic.org.
Social Justice COVID-19 Food and Toiletries Drive
Under the remaining influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, 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.
Diocese of Parramatta Tribunal is open
The Tribunal of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Parramatta remains open and committed to assisting anyone with enquiries regarding marriage annulments. Interviews are being conducted via telephone and Zoom in response to COVID-19. Please contact the Tribunal office on (02) 8838 3480 or email tribunal@parracatholic.org.
Mass available for the Nigerian Catholic Community
The Nigerian Catholic community come together to celebrate Mass every second and fourth Sundays of the month at 11am at Holy Family Church, South Granville, 200 The Trongate, Granville. For more information, please contact community chaplain Fr Chinonye Akamadu on 0451 174 438 or chuk.akamadu@parracatholic.org or Stella Nwosu on 0405 478 472.
St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir is seeking new Bass singers
If you are a good singer and you sing bass, St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir is looking for you. The Cathedral Choir is offering paid scholarships, remunerating at $100 per Mass/service sung ($5700 per annum maximum). Here more of the Cathedral choir at facebook.com/choirSPC. Interested applicants can submit their expression of interest at https://bit.ly/3sLep7S. The Choir will consider any application to any voice part, but at this time, are only offering paid positions to successful Bass applicants. They can only offer volunteer positions for the other voice parts at this stage.
Kellyville Parish 10th Annual Assumption Walk: 15 August
Join Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville’s 10th Annual Assumption Walk from the Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Kellyville, to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta on Monday 15 August. There will be Holy Mass at the Shrine at 11.30am and the walk begins at 1pm sharp. You may join the walk at any point. Banners and statues are welcome. Register your interest at admin@olorparishkellyville.org.au or call (02) 9629 2595 for catering purposes at the stops along the way.
Other Notices
Position Vacant – Personal Assistant, Sisters of Mercy Parramatta
Personal Assistant, Sisters of Mercy Parramatta. Full-time, 12-month position and based at Parramatta. Please contact Anthony Spata at REACH Human Resources for further information on 0402 210 055.
Volunteer Position Available – Housing Maintenance Volunteer, House of Welcome
House of Welcome (HOW), a partner of the Diocese of Parramatta is seeking a handyman to look after their properties, as they continue to support people in need in our communities. The Housing Maintenance Volunteer will also be required to provide face-to-face support for Occupants with practical components of their property and its care. This will be a short-term appointment, 1 day a week. For more information please contact HOW Volunteer Program Manager, Lumka Liwela Power on 0402 549 962 or l.liwelapower@houseofwelcome.com.au.
Volunteers urgently needed for the Diocese of Broome
The Diocese of Broome, WA, urgently requires volunteers to assist with the work of the local Church on Aboriginal Missions for a range of tasks including administration, building maintenance and gardening. Placements are preferred for a period of six months plus. In return, volunteers are offered accommodation, living expenses and an allowance. For further details and an application form, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Janet Ryan on (08) 9192 1060 or email volunteers@broomediocese.org
JRS is hiring a Schools Engagement Officer
JRS Australia requires a Schools Engagement Officer with a passion for engaging and educating school communities on issues facing people seeking asylum and refugees. In this dynamic role, the officer will be creating and delivering workshops, supporting young people in their advocacy and action, coordinating school engagement events and developing educational resources for a range of audiences. To read the job description and apply for the role, please visit https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/JRS/schools-engagement-officer
2022-23 Social Justice Statement “Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse”
The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2022-23 has been released. It is entitled “Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse” and calls for faith communities to support and believe those going through domestic and family violence and abuse, to hold perpetrators to account and work towards individual and social transformation. You can download the statement and additional resources at bit.ly/SJS22-23
Catholic Earthcare Parishes Programs
Catholic Earthcare Australia now makes it easy for parishes to take up the Australian Bishops’ invitation from the 2021-22 Social Justice Statement to join them in pursuing seven Laudato Si’ Goals towards more sustainability. The Earthcare Parishes Program offers ideas and guidance. Find out more and register for an Earthcare Audit at catholicearthcare.org.au/earthcare-parishes
St Mary’s Towers Retreat to cease offerings for 2022
The work of the St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre, Douglas Park, is to be paused from 4 September 2022 while a strategic plan regarding the future of the property is underway. Day visits, private retreats, spiritual direction or ministry supervision will cease during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amy Parish, St Mary’s Towers Property Manager by email at amy.parish1976@gmail.com.
Jesus Light of the World Communities “ReCHARGE” Gathering
Every Saturday at 3pm, the Jesus Light of the World Communities in Rockdale are hosting a “ReCHARGE” gathering with praise and worship, prayer, empowerment and fellowship at St Joseph’s Parish Hall, Rockdale. For enquiries, please contact Ida on 0424 267 500 or Helen on 0433 455 114 or visit www.jlowcom.org.
Missionaries of God’s Love Claiming Hope Creative Healing Retreat: 12 – 14 August
Join the MGL Sisters at Carmel House, Varroville, for a healing retreat experience. Come to God in your woundedness, journey with Him through creativity, and allow Him to transform you into a living sign of hope. For enquiries, please contact mglsisters.sydney@gmail.com or visit https://www.trybooking.com/BWMJN
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Virtual Marriage Enrichment Weekend: 19 – 21 August
The Worldwide Marriage Encounter team are hosting a Virtual Marriage Enrichment Weekend from 19 August at 7pm to 21 August at around 4pm via Zoom. 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 Mercy and James Bvirakare on 0409 183 676 or vicbookings@wwme.org.au
Archdiocese of Sydney Restorative Reproductive Medicine seminar: 20 August
People interested in wanting to conceive naturally or those studying or working in healthcare or bioethics are invited to a Restorative Reproductive Medicine event on Saturday 20 August at the University of Notre Dame, Broadway, Sydney. This event will be delivered by two Catholic doctors working in this field and will tackle some issues surrounding IVF and the great alternative we have as a result of Humanae Vitae. Natural Fertility – Diocese of Parramatta supports these events and welcomes anyone interested in Restorative Reproductive Medicine to contact Catherine Bourne on 0400 427 605 or catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org
Jesus Light of the World Communities Transformation Retreat: 27 August
The Jesus Light of the World Communities are hosting a transformation retreat with Fr Chris Eaton of the Missionaries of God’s Love on Saturday 27 August from 9am to 5pm at St Joseph’s Parish Hall, Rockdale. Bookings are essential at https://trybooking.com/CASKV. Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided. For enquiries, please contact Helen on 0422 455 114 or Ida on 0424 267 500.
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.
