News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
Policy Coordinator
The Diocese of Parramatta is recruiting for a part-time Policy Coordinator to work within the Chancery. If you have experience in policy writing and tertiary qualifications in Law, HR or compliance, we encourage you to apply. For a confidential chat call Marie Iemma on 0499 874 420 or email your CV and cover letter to parracatholicjobs@parracatholic.org
More details at: parracatholic.org/employment
Bishop’s Good Shepherd Appeal for our Holy Spirit Seminarians
Our Holy Spirit Seminary in Harris Park is preparing men who have been called by God to be good shepherds to serve His people. Will you support our seminarians to humbly serve our faith community? Please give generously to the Bishop’s Good Shepherd Appeal at yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal or scan this QR code.
Thank you for accompanying our seminarians on their spiritual journey to become priests.
MET Worship RCIA Workshop: 29 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 29 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, please contact hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org
CYP Good Friday Night Walk: 7 April
Young people are invited to join Catholic Youth Parramatta and Bishop Vincent for the annual 21km Good Friday Night Walk from Blacktown to the Cathedral. For more information and to register visit https://parracatholic.org/goodfridaywalk/
MET FaithLIFE Scripture Course: Starting 2 May
Want to learn more about different ways to pray? Sign up for the FaithLIFE 3-night short course on “Prayer” with Br Barry Donaghue, brought to you by the Mission Enhancement Team (MET). 6:30PM to 8:30PM on three Tuesday: 2 + 9 + 16 May. Downstairs at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown. RSVP via https://pfparra.org.au/faithlife/
MET Worship Liturgical Music Workshop: 4 May
Musicians, Clergy & Liturgy Planners are invited to attend a Music Workshop Presented by Eric Grella on ‘Singing the Psalms & Chant’ on Thursday 4 May from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown. RSVP by 1 May to hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org
The FaithFeed On the Move: 7 May
Have questions about life & faith? Join with others on the search at The FaithFeed live studio audience – hosted by Glenbrook in the Mountains Deanery – all are welcome! The FaithFeed will be on Sunday 7 May at the parish hall after the 6PM mass. Doors open 7:00PM for a 7:30PM start. The night will feature faith stories + live music + activities + great conversation. Book now: https://tinyurl.com/tffrego
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.
Mass available for the South Sudanese Catholic Community
The South Sudanese Catholic community come together to celebrate Mass every Sunday at 2pm at Mary, Queen of the Family Catholic Parish, 51-59 Allawah Street, Blacktown 2148. For more information, please contact Deacon John Cinya on (02) 9622 1125 or John.Cinya@parracatholic.org
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.
Young Adult Faith Formation: 2 April
Young Adult Faith Formation sessions continue on Sunday 2 April 2023 at The Hustle, 4-6 Purdy Rd, Minchinbury, at 7pm. Sarah Alimangohan will speak and lead discussion on the question ‘What is Beauty?’ 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 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
Caritas Australia Turkey and Syria Earthquake Emergency Appeal
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake has unleashed devastation on Türkiye and Syria. Over 50,000 people have been killed, with many more injured and left homeless. We must act NOW and help those affected by this catastrophe. Your generous donation means our partners in Türkiye and Syria can respond swiftly to support the survivors of this unimaginable tragedy. Visit: www.caritas.org.au/syria-turkey or call 1800 024 413 toll free to donate now.
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
Mission: One Heart, Many Voices Conference: 3-5 May
Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) invite you to save the date for the sixth biennial national Mission Conference. Three days of professional and personal development focused on mission.
Date: Wednesday 3 May to Friday 5 May 2023.
Venue: SMC Conference & Function Centre, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney.
For more information, visit www.mohmv.com.au.
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.
