News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Diocesan Synod 2023 – Join Bishop Vincent at a listening event!
Over the next six weeks, Bishop Vincent is travelling throughout the Diocese and listening directly to people’s stories and suggestions about our Church. Join him at one of four locations to have your say. Events start at 6.30pm with light refreshments:
- Saturday 20 May at St Columba’s Catholic College, Springwood.
- Saturday 3 June at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
- Saturday 17 June at St Andrew the Apostle Primary School, Marayong.
- Saturday 24 June at Holy Spirit Primary School, St Clair.
To register for your local consultation and to learn more about the Diocesan synod, visit parracatholic.org/synod2023
Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal for Aboriginal Catholic Care at Emerton
Will you be the face of Christ for our First Nations people in need? Your compassionate generosity and prayers will support a welcoming place where Aboriginal people can express their identity, share their culture and knowledge within our community, access practical support and development opportunities, and make social connections. Please give generously to the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal at yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal.
Thank you for being a Good Samaritan to our First Nations people.
Faith in Marriage Seminar: 19 May
You are invited to a free talk “Happy Marriage: Faith-filled ways to a better relationship” with US speaker and author Chris Padgett. Hear how you can nurture your relationship through your faith on Friday 19 May at 7:30pm at St Paul the Apostle Church, 40 Buckleys Road, Winston Hills. Register at marriage@parracatholic.org
MET Natural Fertility Seminar – Couples Hoping to Conceive: 20 May
Hear about Restorative Reproductive Medicine and natural methods of achieving pregnancy. This topic is of particular interest to couples that are trying to conceive a child where they may have infertility issues and are seeking medical intervention to help them. Hear from trained professionals about a women’s health science, the Creighton Model which is used in conjunction with NaProTechnology (www.fccau.org). This free event will be held on Saturday 20 May from 1pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. For more information and to register, contact catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or 0400 427 605.
Catholic Care Community Refugee Sponsorship Information Session: 21 May
Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are hosting an information session to learn more about the Community Refugee Sponsorship program on Sunday 21 May at 2pm at Mamre House and Farm, Orchard Hills. RSVP to Rita on 0477 952 024 or email Rita.Hakkoum@catholiccarewsbm.org.au to join via Zoom. You can make a difference and help a refugee family start a new life in Australia.
Invitation to Register for CPR Training: 5 June
You are invited to register for an accredited CPR Course being offered by Surf Life Saving NSW. This is being offered as FREE course to the Parishes of the Diocese as part of a project being offered by The University of Sydney, Westmead Applied Research Centre. The course runs for 2.5 hours and will be presented at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown, on Monday 5 June from 4pm. Please contact the Parish Office for information on how to register for the venue of your choice.
SAVE THE DATE – Diocesan Liturgical Conference: 15 July
The Diocesan Liturgy Conference is on again in 2023! Save the date for Saturday 15 July at St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong. Fr Peter Williams AM VG will be the Keynote speaker as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy. The conference will include a variety of workshops. More information to come soon.
MET Worship RCIA Teams Formation Seminars: Beginning 3 August
MET Worship’s Formation Seminar for RCIA Teams will be commencing on Thursday 3 August throughout August from 7pm to 9pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. New topics will be covered each week throughout the Seminar including Using Rituals, Mystagogia and more! To RSVP and to learn more about the seminar topics, please contact hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org or call 0460 037 795.
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
Free English and Citizenship Classes
Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are offering English and Citizenship classes at its All Saints of Africa Centre, 63 Allawah St, Blacktown. Courses are subsidized by the New South Wales Government. Please register to participate in the program by contacting 0477 952 024. You can also contact Nepean Community College on (02) 4724 9000.
Springwood East Timor Support Group Trivia Night: 20 May
24th Anniversary Trivia Night – Join us for an evening of fun and flashes of brilliance to aid the Timorese people with Medical and Education initiatives. On Saturday 20 May 7pm for a 7:30 start at St Thomas Aquinas School Hall – 168 Hawkesbury Road, Springwood. BYO nibbles & drinks – Tables of 8 to 10. Minimal Prizes this year – Donation box available, Tickets are $20 each. Payment at the door – credit card accepted. Please call Dennis on 0425209840 for any queries.
Annual Schoenstatt Marian Pilgrimage: 21 May
The Mt Schoenstatt Shrine and Retreat Centre’s Annual Marian Pilgrimage will be held again on Sunday 21 May. Reconciliation will be available from 9.30am before Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv celebrates Mass and recommissions pilgrim mother coordinators. Mass will be followed by a Eucharistic Procession from the valley to the Shrine. As this is an outdoor event, please bring your own chairs. Hot food, tea and coffee available for sale or BYO. Any enquiries, please call (02) 4773 8338 or email info@schoenstatt.org.au.
Quakers Hill Parish Bingo Fundraiser: 3 June
Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill, is hosting a Bingo night fundraiser for our Youth Groups on Saturday 3 June 2023 from 7pm. Bookings now open to secure a seat/table (6 people). We have limited seats so please get in early. Please email the parish office at parishoffice@maryimmac.org.au
Other Notices
PALMS Australia Mission: Transform Lives – theirs…and yours
Communities in Africa, Asia or the Pacific are seeking Australians from a variety of professions and trades to share their skills and knowledge with those who have few other chances for training. Build enduring global relationships while assisting sustainable, self-reliant, community development. 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 by calling (02) 9560 5333 or 0422 472 567 or visit www.palms.org.au
Mary Help of Christians Procession: 20 May
Join The Servants of Mary Help of Christians for their annual procession ahead of the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia on Saturday 20 May. Mass will commence at 10am at St Peter’s Surry Hills, followed by a street procession through to St Mary’s Cathedral and Mass at 12pm. All are welcome to attend.
Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day: 21 May
You are invited to a Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day at St Benedict’s Monastery, 121 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia, on Sunday 21 May from 10.30am to 3pm, with registration from 10am. Morning tea will be provided, but BYO picnic lunch. 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.
‘Anointed’ MGL Sisters Pentecost Intensive Retreat: 24-28 May
Deepen in your anointing as a Christian called to intentional relationship with the Trinity, radical discipleship, generously sharing the charismatic gifts and a life of mission and service through inputs, discussion and practical workshops. Join us for 5 days live-in at Carmel House, Varroville. More info & register: www.trybooking.com/CFBRF
Jesus Light of the World Communities Day of Outpouring: 27 May
Jesus Light of the World Communities is hosting a Day of Outpouring on Saturday 27 May from 9:30am to 4:00pm at St Joseph’s Parish Hall, Walz St, Rockdale. The guest speaker will be Ron Maldigri, a Catholic Lay Evangelist in Sydney with the powerful gift of Prophecy, Deliverance and Healing. Booking Essential, FREE Lunch & Afternoon Tea. Enquiries: Helen – 0433 455 114 or Ida – 0424 267 500 or email jlowcommunity@gmail.com.
Catholic Charismatic Renewal Pentecost Celebration: 27 May
Come and prepare on the eve of Pentecost with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal NSW and Parramatta Communities. Come to an uplifting, inspiring, encouraging afternoon of worship, testimonies, listening to the Word of God and prayer ministry on Saturday 27 May from 2pm to 5pm at Servants of Jesus, 15 Park Rd Seven Hills. Register now via https://www.trybooking.com/CHJKP
Walking Together – Youth PoWR Meets the Uluru Statement: 28 May
In view of the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament, Youth PoWR and the Challenging Racism Project at WSU are hosting a free interactive workshop led by Youth Off the Streets to foster purpose and understanding among non-Indigenous youth so they can confidently walk the path of reconciliation with First Nations people. For young adults aged 18-35 Please join us: Sunday 28 May @ 12-4pm, Vegetarian food served at midday. Come! Eat! Meet! Participate! Peter Shergold Building, WSU Level 9, 169 Macquarie St, Parramatta 2150. Register your attendance FREE at Humanitix: events.humanitix.com/youthpowr-meets-uluru
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.
