News & Events Weekly Update

5 October 2022

 

News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond

 

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. Express your interest in coming to Lisbon today! For all enquiries, contact James Camden, Head Mission Engagement – james.camden@parracatholic.org

Catholic Outlook Spring/Season of Creation edition out now!

Get your free copy of the Spring edition of Catholic Outlook now. This month, we talk about pilgrimages, the Season of Creation, and focus in on how our parishes are working towards sustainability. There’s great kids activities too. Pick up your copy from our church now!

Pastoral Formation Marriage and Natural Fertility Short Course: 20 October

 Preparing for marriage? Searching for a conversation space where mutuality, intimacy and wholeness in your relationship can be nurtured? Karin Abrams and Catherine Bourne invite you to Thursday 20 October for a workshop on marriage & natural fertility. Face-to-face from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre (1-5 Marion Street Blacktown). LIMITED SEATS. Register by October 10 via met@parracatholic.org OR via https://pfparra.org.au/signup/

MET Worship Formation for Ministry of Communion to the Sick and Dying: 22 October

MET – Worship will be hosting a formation session for those already active in the Ministry of Communion to the Sick and Dying on Saturday 22 October from 9.30am – 3pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. The formation day includes a reflection on the Spirituality of Suffering, Working within Safeguarding Guidelines and the Practicalities of this ministry. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the Office for Worship on (02) 8838 3456 or mary.gale@parracatholic.org

LIFTED Live in the Forecourt is back for 2022! 

All are welcome to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta on 22 October from 7pm to 10pm for LIFTED Live. Encounter the vibrancy and dynamism of young people of our Church. Live performances, games, activities, art exhibition, and adoration. Share your gifts and talent with our Diocesan community by visiting www.parracatholic.org/liftedeoi. If you have questions? Email qwayne.guevara@parracatholic.org

Faiths 4 Climate Justice Multi-Faith Service (St Patrick’s Cathedral, 13 October)

Join with people of various faiths to pray for climate justice, in solidarity with Pacific and First Nations peoples: St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta, 13 October, 9:30–10.30am. The service will feature the OLMC Student String Ensemble, a Pasifika Choir, Buddhist and Muslim chanting, congregational singing led by a Rabbi, and prayers from a range of faith traditions. Find out more at arrcc.org.au/parramatta_f4cj_multi_faith_service

Masterclass for Sponsor Married Couples: 28 October

The Diocese is looking to more deeply accompany couples preparing to be married. Have you been married for more than 5 years? Committed to living the sacrament of Marriage? Willing to give time limited assistance to couples preparing for marriage? Join us for a Masterclass on Friday 28 October at 7.30pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown, on sponsoring engaged couples in your Parish using the SmartLoving Engaged Online program. To book your attendance or to ask further questions, please email marriage@parracatholic.org or phone Marisa on (02) 8838 3460.

MET Worship Sacramental Teams Thanksgiving Mass: 28 October

 The Worship – Mission Enhancement Team are inviting all Sacramental Teams, RCIA Teams, facilitators and volunteers to a Thanksgiving and Appreciation Mass on Friday 28 October at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, at 7.30pm. This will be a great opportunity to catch up with one another and to be acknowledge for your work. To RSVP for catering purposes, please contact the Worship team on (02) 8838 3456 or email mary.gale@parracatholic.org

 Diocese of Parramatta Wedding Anniversary Mass: 30 October

 The annual Wedding Anniversary Mass will be held on Sunday 30 October at 11am at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Bishop Vincent will celebrate Solemn Mass, followed by a light lunch at the Cathedral Hall. All couples celebrating a significant wedding anniversary will receive a certificate from Bishop Vincent. Please register your name, years of marriage and numbers attending at marriage@parracatholic.org by 21 October. Family and friends are welcome.

Fertility Awareness Online Evening: 3 November

Are you looking for answers to infertility? On Thursday 3 November at 7.30pm, couples are invited to an online Natural Fertility session hosted by the Diocese of Parramatta. Vinetta Lobo, a Certified FertilityCare Practitioner will explain how The Creighton Model FertilityCare System can assess and evaluate your current fertility status and treat infertility. Listen to real couples share their experience. To register, or for more information, please contact Catherine on 0400 427 605 or catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org

MET Worship Formation for Ministers at the Altar: 12 November

 The Worship – Mission Enhancement Team are organising an Ongoing Formation Day for Ministers at the Altar, Adult servers and Acolytes on Saturday 12 November at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown, from 9.30am to 3pm. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. To register, please contact the Worship team on (02) 8838 3456 or email mary.gale@parracatholic.org

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.

Office for Safeguarding Spring Training Opportunities

The Office for Safeguarding is offering a range of opportunities to complete your Safeguarding training this spring.

  • Full-day training session on Monday 17 October from 9.30am to 2.30pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown
  • Weekly training sessions on Monday 24 and 31 October and Monday 7 November from 10am to 11.30am at St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong.
  • Full-day training session on Saturday 29 October from 10am to 3pm at St Matthew’s Parish, Windsor.

To register for one of these options, please email safeguardingtraining@parracatholic.org

 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/

Diocesan Food and Toiletries Drive for Refugees

 Each week, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and the House of Welcome (HoW) provide much needed food and toiletry items to hundreds of Refugees from across the Diocese of Parramatta. These services depend on donations. You can organise a food and toiletries drive in your parish, school or workplace, or make a cash donation to support JRS and HoW. 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.

Blacktown Parish office space/Retreat venue available for rent

Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown currently has a venue that may be used for office space or a retreat venue for a small parish or religious group. To inquire please contact Sarah or Ged at the Parish Office on (02) 9622 1125 or admin@mqofblacktown.org.au.

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 singers

 If you are a good singer and you sing alto/countertenor or 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 approximately). Hear 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 Alto/Countertenor and Bass applicants. They can only offer volunteer positions for the other voice parts at this stage.

Rouse Hill Parish Mass of Depositing of St Faustina and St John Paul II Relics: 22 October

 Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, will be celebrating Mass for the Deposition of the first-degree Relics of St Faustina and St John Paul II on Saturday 22 October, the Feast of St John Paul II, at 5.30pm, with celebrations to begin with prayers at 4.30pm. The relics will be enshrined in a special chapel within the parish and will be kept on permanent display for veneration. All are invited to join in this joyful celebration.

Glenbrook Parish Memorable Melodies Concert: 23 October

St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook, is hosting a memorable melodies concert for voice, violin and organ on Saturday 23 October at 2pm in the parish church. The concert will feature Rebecca Daniel (violin/soprano) and Michael Taylor (organ). Entry is $15 adults or $10 concession. For more information, contact the parish office on (02) 4742 6958 or email glenbrook@parracatholic.org

Parramatta Marist Bicentennial Celebrations: 28 October

 Parramatta Marist High School, Westmead, warmly invites all Old Boys and former staff to join them on Friday 28 October at the school from 6.30pm to 11pm to celebrate 200 years of continuous Catholic schooling. Tickets are $40pp and are available at www.parramarist.catholic.edu.au

Kenthurst Parish Dinner Dance: 4 November

 Join us for the St Madeleine Sophie Barat Parish Dinner Dance at Oatlands House on Friday 4 November. Tickets are $150 each and can be ordered via stmadsdinnerdance@gmail.com. If you have any questions or queries, please contact Kim on 0418 220 963 or Sally on 0407 945 986.

North Rocks Parish Golden Jubilee Celebrations: 19 November

Christ the King Parish, North Rocks, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with Mass presided by Bishop Vincent on Saturday 19 November, the Feast of Christ the King, at 5.30pm. All are welcome to celebrate this significant parish milestone, with former parishioners particularly invited to the celebration. For catering purposes, please confirm your attendance with the parish office on northrocks@parracatholic.org.

 

Other Notices

Positions Vacant:

  • Personal Assistant – Sisters of Mercy Parramatta. Full-time position and based at Parramatta. Please contact Anthony Spata at REACH Human Resources for further information on 0402 210 055.
  • Student Life and Alumni Officer – Campion College Australia. Full-time position and based at Toongabbie. Please contact Nevine Piperides at Reach Human Resources for further information on 0418 698 327.

 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 in various Aboriginal communities 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

2022-23 Social Justice Statement “Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse”

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2022-23 “Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse” invites us to engage with a complex and challenging social reality: domestic and family violence and abuse. The Australian Bishops call for all people to take part in the individual and social transformation needed so all people can live in safety. Download the statement at www.bit.ly/SJS22-23

Palms Australia – Embrace the call to Global Mission

Countries such as American Samoa, Cambodia, the Philippines, Tanzania and Timor-Leste are requesting Australian Catholics to live in and share their skills with parish community. Embrace one of the Palms Australia mission opportunities abroad via https://palms.org.au/current-opportunities/. Enquire online today at https://palms.org.au/current-opportunities/assignments-abroad/ or phone 0422 742 567.

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

Join the Catholic Bushwalking Club

The Sydney-based Catholic Bushwalking Club seeking new members to join their club. Membership is not restricted to Catholics, and is open to all who share an interest in bushwalking and the outdoors. Membership offers a choice of graded walks for a variety of fitness levels on most weekends, and some on weekdays. To learn more about the Club and to become a member, visit http://www.cbcnsw.org.au/ or call Adriana on 0478 919 427.

 Catholic Theological College ‘Engaging Your Faith’ online series

‘Engaging Your Faith’ is a series of online short sessions, open to all, offering an opportunity to explore your faith through a variety of topics including: Theology, Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Pastoral Studies, Laudato Si’, Christian Meditation, Future Technology, and Science and Religion. All topics are presented by lecturers of Catholic Theological College and run from 10 to 28 October. For a full description of the sessions please go to https://ctc.edu.au/news-and-events/engaging-your-faith/

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.

Fertility Awareness Education Session: 12 October

 Are you still looking for answers for miscarriage or infertility? You are invited to a free fertility awareness education session on Wednesday 12 October from 7.30pm to 8.30pm via Zoom. Vinetta Lobo, a Certified FertilityCare Practitioner, will explain how The Creighton Model FertilityCare System can help you identify your fertility on any given day. Register today to confirm your spot by contacting vinettajoy@hotmail.com or 0430 509 890.

Mercy Works Annual Friends Gathering: 13 October

Mercy Works is pleased to be hosting a hybrid event for their Annual Friends Gathering on Thursday 13 October either in person from 5pm to 7pm at the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta, 6 Victoria Rd, Parramatta, or from 6pm to 7pm via Zoom. Come and hear what Mercy Works is doing and meet the people they are working with. For more information, please contact mercyworks@mercyworks.org.au

MGL Sisters Open Wide – Spirit-Led Discipleship Retreat: 28 – 30 October

Join the MGL Sisters on retreat as we deepen in God’s love, receive restoration and be empowered to live life wide open to the Holy Spirit! The retreat will include inputs, the sacraments, prayer times and times for spiritual conversation with others. It’s for men and women aged 18+ and is a great chance to rest and restore before the final two months of the year are upon us. More info and register: www.trybooking.com/BWMKC

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Marriage Enrichment Weekend: 28 – 30 October

 The Worldwide Marriage Encounter team are hosting an in-person Marriage Enrichment Weekend from 28 to 30 October at the Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW. 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

 

 

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.

 

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