News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
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, please contact mary.gale@parracatholic.org or phone (02) 8838 3456.
Clean up Diocese of Parramatta Day: 5 March
Catholic Youth Parramatta and MET – Peace, Justice and Ecology invite you to take action! On Clean Up Australia Day, Sunday 5 March, witness to the call to take care of God’s creation. Join or organise a group to clean up a site in your local area. Express your interest today by visiting https://parracatholic.org/cleanup/
MET Worship Music for Paschal Triduum Workshop: 7 March
Musicians and liturgy planners are invited to attend an evening exploring music for the Paschal Triduum Tuesday 7 March from 7pm to 9pm 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 by 2 March, please contact hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org or call 0460 037 795.
MET Natural Fertility Session: 8 March
Are you looking for help to track your fertility cycle? Come and explore a Natural, Effective, Healthy and Scientific approach to achieve, space/avoid pregnancy or monitor women’s health. Engaged and married couples, single women and those wanting to know more about their menstrual cycles are welcome to attend. This Introductory Session will be presented by Vinetta Lobo, accredited FertilityCare Practitioner Creighton Model. To register or for more information, contact catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or 0400 427 605.
MET Worship RCIA Workshop: 15 March
Parish teams involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at Easter are invited to a workshop hosted by the MET Worship team on Wednesday 15 March at 7pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. Parish teams will learn how to prepare for the Rites on Holy Saturday and where to after Easter. To RSVP by 13 March, please contact hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org
Catholic Schools Commissioning Ceremony: 16 March
New career teachers and newly appointed (first time) Principals and Directors of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Parramatta are invited to a Commissioning and welcoming ceremony to commence the academic year. The ceremony will be conducted as Vespers on Thursday 16 March at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. if you would like to attend, please RSVP to Christie Shaylor at events@parra.catholic.edu.au or phone (02) 9840 5656 by Friday 9 March 2023.
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. If you are unable to attend in-person, a follow up Zoom session will be held for interested couples on Saturday 1 April at 10am. 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.
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 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.
Greystanes Parish is hiring! Maintenance and Cleaning
Two employment positions at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes, are available for 8-10 hours a week, or the possibility of combining both roles.
- Role 1: Maintenance and improvement works in the buildings and grounds – Requires proven handy-person skills with trade experience or equivalent.
- Role 2: Cleaning and hygiene care for offices, bathrooms and meeting areas – Requires practical experience and pride in work
Role descriptions are available. Please contact Christine via (02) 9631 8135 or parishoffice@olqp.org.au
Glenbrook Parish Lenten Biblical Studies: Starts 28 February
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook, is hosting Lenten Biblical Studies exploring the Gospel of Matthew and the Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Presented by parish priest Fr Joseph Lam, these sessions will be held on 28 February, 7 March and 28 March from 7.30pm at the parish. To RSVP, please contact secretary@stfinbars.org.au
Young Adult Faith Formation: 5 March
Young Adult Faith Formation sessions continue on Sunday 5 March at The Hustle, 4-6 Purdy Rd, Minchinbury, at 7pm. Deacon Tom Green will speak and lead discussion on whether faith contradicts rationality. We encourage all adults 18-35 to come along and enjoy some faith formation and fellowship! Call Mark on 0477 004 678 for more information.
Glenbrook Christians Ecumenical Meal Sharing: From 5 March
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook, invite you to their ecumenical neighbours sharing soup and bread for Lent gatherings with their Baptist and Uniting Church neighbours. Join them for a meal and chat on Sunday 5 March at St Finbar’s, Sunday 19 March at Glenbrook Baptist and 2 April at St Andrew’s Uniting Church. Donations raised will go to the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group.
St Patrick’s Day Business Breakfast: 17 March
St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta, are hosting the St Patrick’s Day Business Breakfast, an annual event acknowledging faith and nation building and connecting Not-For-Profit organisations with business communities. The Breakfast will be held on Friday 17 March from 7am to 9am at the Cathedral Hall, with guest speaker Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Federal Member for Parramatta. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased via https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1012636 or by scanning the QR code.
Glenbrook Parish Good Friday Music and Meditation: 7 April
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook, is hosting a performance of the music of J.S. Bach and special meditations and reflections on Good Friday, 7 April, from 7.30pm in the parish church. Offering choral and organ music of J.S. Bach together with special readings and meditations, this annual service will feature several of the wonderful chorale settings from the Passions according to St John and St Matthew. Suggested donations for entry ate $15 for adults, $10 for concessions. Any enquiries, please contact 0421 105 017.
Other Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Mission & Renewal Project Officer (permanent full-time) – Catholic Diocese of Bathurst
- Corrective Services Chaplain, Wellington Correctional Centre (permanent full-time) – Catholic Diocese of Bathurst
For more details, and to apply, please visit https://bathurst.catholic.org.au/careers/
Divine Retreat Centre offerings in March
The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW is hosting a variety of single-day and weekend retreats throughout March, 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.
Caritas Australia Turkey and Syria Earthquake Emergency Appeal
Following devastating earthquakes in Türkiye (formerly Turkey) and Syria, which has killed thousands of people, Caritas Australia’s partners are on the ground as they assess the scale of damage and critical needs. Your donation to Caritas Australia can have a profound and lasting impact on those affected by the Turkey, Syria earthquake. By donating, you will help to provide vital emergency aid and essential items needed during a time of crisis. Visit https://www.caritas.org.au/donate/emergency-appeals/turkey-and-syria-earthquake/ to show your support.
Palms Australia: Change their lives and yours
Communities in Africa, Asia or the Pacific are seeking Australians from a variety of professions and trades to share their skills with those who have less opportunity to develop their talents. Explore 35 positions by scanning the QR code below. On our website, you can also see news including stories from those currently supported in Timor-Leste, Samoa, American Samoa and Thailand. Please enquire further about potential assignments for you or someone you know: (02) 9560 5333 or 0422 472 567 or visit www.palms.org.au
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.
Multi-faith Prayer Service – A Prayerful Call to Divest from Fossil Fuels: 9 March
You are invited to join Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv and people of various faith traditions to reflect on our shared responsibility for our common home on Thursday 9 March from 9.30am to 10.30am at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Together we will pray that faith-based organisations may commit to divesting from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) to address the climate crisis. After the service, you are welcome to stay for morning tea. For more information, please contact met@parracatholic.org
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.
Mt Schoenstatt 24 Hours for the Lord: 17 – 18 March
Come and spend some time with Our Lord and Our Lady in the Mt Schoenstatt Shrine, Mulgoa, beginning with 6pm Mass on Friday 17 March, followed by Reconciliation from 7:15pm – 10pm. On Saturday, Reconciliation will be held at 10am-12pm, and at 3pm-4.45pm with a Vigil Mass at 5pm. The Shrine will be welcoming people for prayer for the full 24 Hours. Groups to lead prayer are welcome. Contact paulandramani@gmail.com
MGL Sisters Consecrated Life Discernment Weekend: 25 – 26 March
The Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters are creating an opportunity for single women aged 16-35 to come and listen for the voice of Jesus, ask questions and experience prayer, talks, sisterhood and times of sharing to help you discern your vocation. 25-26 March at the Sisters’ home in Varroville. For more information, and to register, email mglsisters.sydney@gmail.com
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.
