News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
2022 Christmas Mass and Reconciliation Times
Christmas Mass and Reconciliation Times from parishes across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are available now on our Diocesan website (www.parracatholic.org), on Catholic Outlook (www.catholicoutlook.org) and on our Diocesan social media channels. Merry Christmas from the Diocese of Parramatta.
Bishop’s Christmas Appeal for Catholic Care’s Assistance with Care and Housing Service
No one should be homeless or without support. Your Christmas gift today will enable Catholic Care to give homeless people practical and emotional support, and a safe place to call home. Please stretch out your hand to the poor and give generously via the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal envelopes, at yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal. Thank you for your prayers, heartfelt compassion, and help to end homelessness.
Diocese of Parramatta WYD23 Pilgrimage Registrations Open!
Registration for WYD23 in Lisbon has now opened. Young people aged 16-35 can now view our itinerary, inclusions, indicative pricing, register and pay their $800 deposit to secure their place. Limited spaces still available to join our team of 170 pilgrims with Bishop Vincent. Visit www.parrawyd.org
Diocesan World Day of the Sick Mass: 11 February 2023
A Mass for the World Day of the Sick, including the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, will be held at 11am on Saturday 11 February 2023 at St Patrick’s Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. All are welcome, including those who may be sick, and those who care for the sick and dying and health care professionals. RSVPs are required by 6 February 2022 to met@parracatholic.org
Glenbrook Parish Advent Retreat: 10 December
You are invited to join St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook for their Advent Retreat, titled, ‘Jesus the greatest gift from God’ on Saturday 10 December from 9am to 3pm. Most Rev David Walker, Bishop Emeritus of Broken Bay, will be the guest presenter. For more information and to RSVP, please contact the parish office on (02) 4742 6958 or secretary@stfinbars.org.au
Marsden Park Faith Community Christmas Carols: 10 December
You are invited to join the St Luke’s Catholic Faith Community, Marsden Park, for their annual Christmas Carols event on 10 December, 6.30 to 8.30pm, at St Luke’s Catholic College, Frontier Ave, Marsden Park. Raffle tickets are $2 each (1st prize $1,000 cash)! There will also be food and drinks for sale, games for the kids, and a visit from the man in red!
Glenmore Park Advent Parish Mission: 16 and 17 November
St Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore Park, is organising a Parish Mission during Advent on the theme of ‘Bethlehem – House of Bread’ on Friday 16 December at 7pm and Saturday 17 December at 5.30pm. Come and receive the Grace of God from Adoration, Mass and Preaching. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Fr Suresh on 0488 448 844 or visit the event Facebook page: https://fb.me/e/2itSOhcKf
Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens Parish Carols by Candlelight: 17 December
St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens, invites you to their annual Carols by Candlelight evening on Saturday 17 December at 7.30pm in the grounds of St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the parish office on (02) 8883 5981.
Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses 2023
The Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses will recommence next year in February. This is formation for anyone interested in serving within the Liturgical Ministries either as Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Communion to the Sick and Dying and Ministers at the Altar. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the Office for Worship on 0460 037 795 or mary.gale@parracatholic.org or visit our website to download an enrolment form at https://officeforworship.org.au/
Marriage Preparation Courses in 2023
Getting married in 2023? Let the Diocese of Parramatta help you prepare. Visit www.parracatholic.org/pmp to view weekend course dates in the New Year, 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/
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.
St Bernadette’s Lalor Park Wednesday Evening Devotions
St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park, is hosting weekly devotions to Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette every Wednesday evening at 6.30pm with Adoration and Rosary and special prayers, followed by Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome. For more information, contact the parish office on (02) 9672 4037 or admin@stbernadetteslalorpark.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.
Patrician Brothers College Blacktown Enrolment Opportunities
Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown, has a small number of vacancies for Year 7 2023 and is accepting early applications for 2024. Contact the College Enrolment Department for more information on (02) 8811 0300, email patricianbros@parra.catholic.edu.au or https://forms.gle/ANccWVNQBZjQ4pSD6
Other Notices
ACBC Advent Appeal for Ukraine
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is supporting a special Advent appeal for the people of Ukraine, following a request from Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR, Eparch of Sts Peter and Paul for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia. Collections in dioceses, eparchies and parishes on the Second and/or Third Sunday of Advent will support Mudra Sprava (Wise Action), a Patriarchal Charitable Foundation in Ukraine. The organisation has three focus areas: Evacuation of people from frontline territories; Food packages for people in need; Shelters for internally displaced persons. Find out more at: www.catholic.au
Caritas Australia’s Advent 2022 Resources
Journey through Advent with Caritas Australia’s new Parish Resources, useful for small groups or individuals. Exploring seasonal themes of peace, hope, joy and love through a social justice lens, this resource offers Gospel readings, stories of people Caritas Australia serves, reflection questions, prayers, song suggestions and ideas for putting faith into action. Visit www.caritas.org.au/advent to download the resource.
Synod of Bishops Continental Stage
The Church around the world has entered the Continental Stage for the Synod of Bishops on Synodality. Groups around the country are praying with and responding to the Document for the Continental Stage, which was published recently. Download prayer resources, including for use in liturgies, read the document and access the submission portal at: www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch
Share joy this Christmas with a gift that can change a life
If you would like to give the gift of hope this Christmas, why not buy a Global Gift? Global Gifts are Caritas Australia’s charitable Christmas cards that reflect real items that support vulnerable communities around the globe. Visit www.globalgifts.org.au or call 1800 024 413 toll free to browse our range of Global Gifts cards today.
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 – Roll up your sleeves, make a difference overseas
Do you require professional renewal, or are you seeking a retirement challenge? Communities in countries such as American Samoa, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tanzania and Timor-Leste are asking for qualified and experienced Australians to mentor their people in education, health, administration, agriculture and more. Embrace one of the Palms Australia mission opportunities abroad by visiting www.palms.org.au, or by calling (02) 9560 5333 or 0422 472 567
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.
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.
Divine Retreat Centre One Day Pilgrimage Retreat: 18 December
The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW is hosting a one-day pilgrimage from 9am to 4pm on Sunday 18 December and will feature praise and worship, Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Mass, with separate ministry for children and teenagers. Bookings are required and limited numbers are available. Please call (02) 4372 1598 or email drcsydney@gmail.com to confirm attendance. Visit www.divineretreatcentre.org.au for more information.
Divine Retreat Centre Spiritual Retreat: 19 December
The Divine Retreat Centre is hosting a spiritual retreat from 7pm to 9pm on Monday 19 December at St Patrick’s Church, Wallsend. Bookings are required and limited numbers are available. Please call (02) 4372 1598 or email drcsydney@gmail.com to confirm attendance. Visit www.divineretreatcentre.org.au for more information.
Divine Retreat Centre New Year’s Eve Celebration: 31 December
The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW is holding a New Year’s Eve celebration from 8.30pm to 12am on Saturday 31 December. The event will include Confession, Thanksgiving Adoration and a New Year’s Mass. Bookings are required and limited numbers are available. Please call (02) 4372 1598 or email drcsydney@gmail.com to confirm attendance. Visit www.divineretreatcentre.org.au for more information.
Willoughby Antioch 40-Year Reunion: 21 January
Former members of the Willoughby Antioch community are invited to a 40-year reunion on Saturday 21 January 2023 at St Thomas’ Church, Willoughby. For more information and to RSVP, please email willoughbyantioch@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.
