News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Sr Nathalie Becquart Sydney Public Forum and Lecture: 3 February
Sr Nathalie Becquart XMCJ, the Vatican’s most influential female, is coming to Australia for a whirlwind tour in February 2023. Sr Nathalie will be in Sydney on Friday 3 February, presenting at a public forum at 4pm and a public lecture at 7pm, both held at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Places are limited, so please register via https://parracatholic.org/srnathalie/.
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 hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org
SAVE THE DATE – Memorial Mass of St Josephine Bakhita: 19 February
You are invited to the Memorial Mass of St Josephine Bakhita, Patron Saint of South Sudan and Sudan, and victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking on Sunday 19 February at 2pm at St Patrick’s Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. We hope you will join us to commemorate the victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in Australia and worldwide and look forward to celebrating the legacy of St Josephine Bakhita with you.
Toongabbie Parish Position Vacant
St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie, is advertising for a Sacramental/SRE Coordinator. The successful applicant will be in charge of the Sacramental Program, the Special Religious Education (SRE) Program and provide administrative assistance to the Parish Priest and Parish Secretary. Hours will be 18 hours per weeks worked over 3 days. Please forward applications and resumes to the parish Secretary by 1 February 2023 to secretary@stanthonyschurch.org.au
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
Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses 2023
The Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses will recommence 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.
Parish of Richmond St Paul’s Feast: 21 January
Come join the celebrations at the Parish of Richmond’s 2023 Annual St Paul’s Feast on Saturday 21 January. Mass will be celebrated at St Monica’s at 5.30pm, followed by a procession. Other activities include the Our Lady Queen of Peace Band, food and drink, chocolate wheel and kids amusement rides. If you are able to assist in any way, please contact Vicki on 0410 545 783.
Parramatta Pongal Tamil Harvest Festival: 21 January
The Community Migrant Resource Centre invites you to celebrate the annual Tamil Farmers’ Festival (Thai Pongal), signifying the end of the traditional farming season on Saturday 21 January from 11am to 2pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Bishop Vincent will celebrate Mass, followed by entertainment and lunch. Entry is free and all are welcome. For enquiries, please contact James Atanasious from the Mission Enhancement Team on 047 873 519.
Faith and formation session for Catholic Healthcare professionals: 11 February
You are invited to a faith and formation session for those who work and volunteer in the health care ministries of the Church on Saturday 11 February, from 9am to 10.30am at the All Saints of Africa Centre, 51-59 Allawah Street, Blacktown. Join us afterwards for the World Day of the Sick Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown. Please RSVP for catering purposes by 6 February to met@parracatholic.org. For enquiries, please contact Michael.Tan@parracatholic.org
Other Notices
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
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
Sacred Connections Retreat: Beginning 12 February
Beginning 12 February Jamberoo Abbey are hosting a series of online retreats pondering the values of Silence/Listening, Reverence and Community, which are integral to both Aboriginal and Benedictine Spirituality. All videos and texts from the retreat sessions will be available on the Jamberoo Abbey website. The cost of the retreat is $300. Register online today at jamberooabbey.org.au/retreats/online-retreats. For enquiries and registration, contact onlineretreat@jamberooabbey.org.au.
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.
