News & Events Weekly Update

8 February 2023

 

News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond

 

Diocese of Parramatta Notices

 

Positions Vacant: 

  • Parish Office Administration Assistant – St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood.  
  • Policy Coordinator – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 10pm Monday 20 February 
  • People and Culture Adviser – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 10pm Monday 20 February
  • Sacramental Coordinator – Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville – Applications close Monday 20 February.

More details at: parracatholic.org/employment 

Ordination to the Presbyterate 

The Diocese of Parramatta wishes to congratulate Fr Adam Carlow, Fr Matthew Dimian and Fr Jack Elkazzi following their ordination to the priesthood on Thursday 2 February. Visit catholicoutlook.org in the coming week for an article and photographs from the ordination as well as a video introducing the new priests to the Diocese. 

Diocesan World Day of the Sick Mass: 11 February 

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  

MET Lenten Music Formation Session: 13 February 

Musicians and liturgy planners are invited to attend an evening exploring music for Lent on Monday 13 February from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. The session will be presented by Eric Grella, Music Formation Facilitator, MET, and Assistant Music Director at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. To RSVP, please contact hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org   

Peace, Justice & Ecology Sharing: 15 February 

Peace, Justice and Ecology (PJE) Sharings are quarterly online gatherings for everyone who is interested in Social Justice, Care for Creation or Global Peace. You are invited to join the conversation, this time with a focus on Caritas Project Compassion 2023 on Wednesday 15 February from 6:30pm to 8pm. To receive a Zoom link, please RSVP via email: met@parracatholic.org 

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. 

MET Lenten Scripture Reflection Night: 21 February 

Looking for a Scripture reflection session on the season of Lent? You and your key contacts are most welcome to attend the 2023 Diocesan Lenten Scripture Reflection Night with Dr Laurie Woods. Tuesday 21 February – 6:30PM to 8:30PM. Downstairs at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown. RSVP via https://pfparra.org.au/lent2023 

MET FaithLIFE Scripture Course: Starting 23 February

Want to learn more about the Bible? Sign up for the FaithLIFE 3-night short course on Scripture with Dr Michele Connolly rsj, brought to you by the Mission Enhancement Team (MET). 6:30PM to 8:30PM on three Thursdays: 23 February, 2 March and 9 March. Downstairs at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown. RSVP via https://pfparra.org.au/faithlife/ 

MET – Worship Celebrating Holy Week Seminar: 4 March 

The MET – Worship team are organising a seminar for acolytes and ministers at the altar (senior servers) in preparation for the celebration of Holy Week. Presented by liturgist Chris Ohlsen, the session will be held on Saturday 4 March from 9.30am to 3pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, 1-5 Marion St Blacktown. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. To RSVP by 28 February, please contact mary.gale@parracatholic.org or phone (02) 8838 3456. 

Masterclass for Mentor Married Couples: 24 March 

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 24 March at 7.30pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown, on Mentoring engaged couples in your Parish using the SmartLoving Engaged Online program. To book your attendance or to ask further questions, please email met@parracatholic.org or phone Marisa on (02) 8838 3460. 

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 0419 242 435 or Marisa on 0412 280 017. 

MET Natural Fertility assisting couples in 2023 

MET Natural Fertility offers couples a NATURAL option to plan their families. It is suitable for:

  • Women wanting to know more about what their cycles reveal. 
  • Those preparing for marriage. 
  • Breastfeeding women. 
  • Couples having difficulties conceiving. 
  • Couples looking for an effective, natural option to space their children. 
  • Couples wanting to cease contraception.  
  • Peri menopausal women.

For more information or to book an appointment contact Catherine on 0400 427 605, email catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or visit https://parralmf.org.au/fertility/ 

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 available for in-person, virtual appointments 

The Tribunal of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Parramatta is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for enquiries regarding marriage annulments. Interviews are being conducted in person with Zoom and telephone interviews available for those unable to attend the office. Please contact the Tribunal office on (02) 8838 3480 or emailtribunal@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. 

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   

Glenbrook Parish Shroud of Turin Presentation and Talk: 21 February 

St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook, is hosting a presentation by local parishioner and former journalist William West on the Shroud of Turin on Tuesday 21 February at 7.30pm. William will discuss the history of the Shroud, which he explores in his book Riddles of the Shroud – Questions Science Can’t Answer. Entry is via gold coin donation. To RSVP, please contact secretary@stfinbars.org.au  

 

Other Notices

 

Divine Retreat Centre offerings in February 

The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW is hosting a variety of single-day and weekend retreats throughout February, including a Lenten Growth retreat and its monthly one-day pilgrimage. For more information and bookings, please contact 0468 486 782 or email drcsydney@gmail.com to confirm attendance. Visit www.divineretreatcentre.org.au for more information. 

Redefining Normal: Mental Health Workshop: 10 February 

This workshop will introduce the “Curious Grace” model and focus on practical ways to support people with challenges in the fields of mental health and trauma, alcohol and drug addiction, gambling and other addictive behaviours. Friday 10 February, 9:30am – 12:30pm, St Joachim’s Catholic Parish, 2 Mills St, Lidcombe. Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/511172640127 

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. 

Risen Lord Community Night of Worship: 18 February 

The Risen Lord Community Australia invites you to a night of worship on Saturday 18 February at Vineyard Church, 357 Windsor Road, Vineyard, from 6pm to 9pm. Join them for a free family friendly evening filled with worship, healing and prayer ministry. Register now at www.risenlordcommunity.com.au/be-transformed 

Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day: 19 February 

You are invited to a Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day at St Benedict’s Monastery, 121 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia, on Sunday 19 February from 10.30am to 3pm, with registration from 10am. BYO picnic lunch and other refreshments. No need to register ahead of time. Donations welcome. For enquiries, please contact either Ann Bergman on anniebergman@hotmail.com or Ann Lomas on atlomas@bigpond.com or (02) 9653 2637. 

Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend: 25 – 26 February 

How prepared are you for marriage? Engaged Encounter provides you with deeper insights into each other and into married life. We give you a chance to spend time together to strengthen and enrich your relationship. The next Engaged Encounter Weekend will be held on 25-26 February. For further information and to register, visit www.engagedencounter.org.au/ 

Sydney Alliance NSW Election Assembly: 28 February 

Join Bishop Vincent Long and people from across the Diocese to participate in a NSW Election Assembly with NSW Treasurer Matt Kean (LIB), Shadow Treasurer Daniel Mookhey (ALP) and representatives of the crossbench. The assembly will focus on social justice issues like housing, climate and cost of living. The assembly will be held on Tuesday 28 February from 6:15pm – 8:15pm at the Morley Centre, 2 Darcy Rd, Westmead. Please register at https://bit.ly/nswelectionassembly.  

Evolutionary Spirituality Retreat: 3 – 5 March 

The Social Justice group of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seven Hills, invite you to an evolutionary spirituality retreat from Friday 3 March at 7pm to Sunday 5 March at 2pm at the Guntawang Environmental Bushland Retreat at Oakdale. During the weekend there will be times of reflection, dialogue and encounters within natural bushland. Registration is $95 for the whole weekend. To RSVP, please contact antiphon1@outlook.com or socialjustice@olol7hills.com.au or phone 0429 595 231. 

Jesus Light of the World Community Healing Recollection: 11 March 

Jesus Light of the World Communities is hosting a Healing Recollection Day on Saturday 11 March from 9am to 5pm at St Joseph’s Parish Hall, Walz St, Rockdale. Fr Rey Sentillas MI from the Archdiocese of Sydney will be speaking, and there will be time for Mass. Bookings are essential via https://www.trybooking.com/CFURP. For enquiries, please contact Helen on 0433 455 114 or Ida on 0424 267 500. 

Jesuit Social Services’ 2023 Annual Dinner: 25 March 

Jesuit Social Services invites you to join them at their 2023 Annual Dinner on 25 March at Q Events, 123 Queen Street, Melbourne. Be sure to book soon to avoid missing out on hearing about our work, as well as an evening of great food, wine, auctions, raffles, entertainment and catching up with old friends. Tickets are $230 – tables of 10 are available. To book, visit jesuit.social/2023dinner 

 

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.

 

Read Daily
* indicates required

RELATED STORIES