News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Prevention, Healing and Support Specialist – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 13 October 2023
More details at: parracatholic.org/employment
Week 8 of the Nine-Week Novena for the Diocesan Synod
This Sunday 1 October is the beginning of Week 8 of the Nine-Week Novena for the Diocesan Synod. Join the whole Diocesan community in continuing to pray for our first Diocesan Synod in the lead-up to the Synod Assembly: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 October. You are invited to pray once a week as a parish community, with your family, ministry groups or during personal prayer. More information: https://parracatholic.org/synod2023/
Celebrate the opening of our first-ever Diocesan Synod!
All members of the faithful young and young at heart are invited to celebrate the beginning of the first-ever Diocesan Synod at LIFTED Live in the Forecourt: Bridge to the Synod on Thursday 12 October at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta from 6.30pm. We’re inviting our entire Diocesan community to experience and celebrate our young Church with live music, prayer, stalls, games and more!
Spring | Season of Creation 2023 Catholic Outlook Magazine out now!
The Spring | Season of Creation 2023 edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine – the news and views of the Diocese of Parramatta – is out now! In this edition, we welcome home our World Youth Day pilgrims and we ground ourselves spiritually and environmentally in this Season of Creation. Pick up your free copy from parishes and offices across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains today or read it online via catholicoutlook.org/magazine
Season of Creation Weekly Zoom
Join Peace, Justice & Ecology for an hour on Thursdays during Season of Creation as we ponder, discuss, and pray through Pope Francis’ call to World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Message from Pope Francis. For more information, please email met@parracactholic.org.au.
Safeguarding Face-to-face Training Opportunities
The Diocesan Safeguarding team are organising sessions for parish clergy, staff and volunteers to complete their Mandatory Safeguarding Modules. Renewal Modules will soon be available on our online training platform.
- Mandatory Modules 1-3: Saturday 7 October at Holy Name of Mary Parish, Rydalmere from 10am-3pm.
- Mandatory Modules 1-3: Saturday 28 October at St Canice’s Church, Katoomba from 10am-3pm.
Please register for these face-to-face renewal modules at: safeguardingtraining@parracatholic.org. For further information please contact Maria Kervin at: maria.kervin@parracatholic.org
Catholic Care Circle of Security Education Program: Starts 11 October
Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains is running an online parenting series via Zoom for parents or caregivers of children from birth to 18 to make sense of what your child is really asking from you, and how to strengthen the parent-child relationship. The sessions will run each Wednesday from 10am to 12.30pm from 11 October to 29 November. The cost is $105, with discount or free training offers available to eligible families. To register and for enquiries, please call (02) 8843 2500 or email enquiries@catholiccarewsbm.org.au
Catholic Care Keeping Kids in Mind Education Program: Starts 16 October
Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, in partnership with CatholicCare Broken Bay, CatholicCare Sydney and CatholicCare Wollongong, are running a five-week online program via Zoom on supporting children following family separation. The course begins with a pre-session on 16 October from 6pm to 7pm, with a session each Monday from 6pm to 8.45pm from 23 October to 20 November. The cost is $10 for workbooks and minimum postage fees. All participants must participate in a pre-group interview. For enquiries, please contact (02) 8843 2500 or email enquiries@catholiccarewsbm.org.au
Masterclass for Sponsor Married Couples: 19 October
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 Thursday 19 October at 7.30pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown, on Sponsoring engaged couples in your Parish using the SmartLoving Engaged Online program. A Zoom information session will also be held on Tuesday 10 October at 7.30pm. To book your attendance in-person or via Zoom or to ask further questions, please email marriage@parracatholic.org or phone Marisa on (02) 8838 3460.
MET Natural Fertility Creighton Model System Information Session: 21 October
Are you looking for help to track your fertility cycle? Come and explore a Natural, Effective, Healthy and Scientific approach to approach to achieve/space/avoid pregnancy or monitor a woman’s health. Engaged and married couples, single women and those wanting to know more about their menstrual cycles are welcome to attend. If you’d like to learn the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, this free session (valued at $125) and gives you all the information you need to be ready for Session 2. To register and receive your Zoom link or for more information, contact catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or 0400 427 605.
Diocese of Parramatta Wedding Anniversary Mass: 29 October
The annual Diocese of Parramatta Wedding Anniversary Mass will be held on Sunday 29 October at 11am at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Bishop Vincent will celebrate Solemn Mass, followed by a light lunch at the Cathedral Hall. All couples celebrating a significant wedding anniversary will receive a certificate from Bishop Vincent. Please register your name, years of marriage and numbers attending at marriage@parracatholic.org or phone (02) 8838 3460 by 20 October. Family and friends are welcome.
Diocesan Food Drives
Many vulnerable people in our community rely on the ‘food banks’ run by Jesuit Refugee Services and the House of Welcome, which operate thanks to donations from community food drives. All parishes and schools are encouraged to run a food drive for those seeking safety in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Find out more information about how you can help at parracatholic.org/fooddrive or emailing james.atanasious@parracatholic.org
Volunteer for the House of Welcome
Volunteers are needed by the House of Welcome to do odd jobs around properties which house refugees and people seeking asylum. If you are a handyman or woman with a few hours you can donate, contact Maricar at m.tupaea@houseofwelcome.com.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 0419 242 435 or Marisa on 0412 280 017.
Soul Food Podcast – Mission Enhancement Team
Do you find life & faith inspiration by listening to the experiences of others?
The Mission Enhancement Team’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/
Diocese of Parramatta Tribunal available for in-person, telephone and Zoom 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 appointments available in certain circumstances. 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
Quakers Hill Parish Perpetual Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill-Schofields celebrates a Perpetual Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the Church. All are welcome to join. For more information, please contact the parish office on (02) 9626 3326 or parishoffice@maryimmac.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 Mamre House, 181 Mamre Rd, Orchard Hills, on a Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 2pm during school terms. Free childcare is available. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact Mamre Crèche on (02) 8843 2506 or Nepean Community College (02) 4724 9000.
Emu Plains Parish Baptism for Primary Children program
Our Lady of the Way Parish, Emu Plains, is offering a Baptism program for primary school children in Term 4 this year. Children will attend a blessing Mass and be baptised in their home parish but complete a 4-week preparation program at OLOW. If your parish is interested in participating in this program, please contact OLOW on (02) 4735 1041 or emuplains@parracatholic.org
Rydalmere Parish Perpetual Adoration Chapel now open
Holy Name of Mary Parish, Rydalmere, has a new Adoration Chapel that is open to the public 24/7 located at 4 Myrtle Street, Rydalmere. Fr Chadi welcomes everyone to the Chapel. For after-hours access please contact the Parish Office or Blake on (02) 9684 1541 or admin@holymary.org.au
Rydalmere Parish Wednesday Evening Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Mass
Holy Name of Mary Parish, Rydalmere, invites you to join us for our Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 6pm every Wednesday. During Adoration, Fr Chadi is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 6pm to 6:45pm. Holy Mass is then celebrated at 7pm. For further information, please contact the Parish Office on (02) 9684 1541 or admin@holymary.org.au
Rouse Hill Parish Natural Fertility Talk: 12 November
Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, are inviting all married (or soon to be married) couples to a talk on natural fertility by guest speaker Dr Catherine Lennon on Sunday 12 Noember at 1pm in the Parish Hall. The talk is an update on Fertility treatments for infertility and also helping couples who need to space or avoid a pregnancy. To RSVP, and for more information, please email parishoffice@ourladyoftheangels.org.au.
Other Notices
Caritas Australia’s Emergency Appeals – Morocco / Libya
Caritas Australia needs your support to respond to the devasting earthquake in Morocco and floods in Libya. Thousands of people have died, and others have been injured. Communities need shelter, food, water, and medical assistance. Please support Caritas Australia’s emergency appeals. Donate at www.caritas.org.au
From child soldier to entrepreneur!
Please support Caritas Australia’s Women for the World Campaign. Your support today can help women like Rosalie create a future with agency and choice, where they can not only survive but thrive. Donate online at www.caritas.org.au/choice
Season of Creation: 1 September – 4 October
The Season of Creation is an ecumenical celebration and this year’s theme is, ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’. It starts on 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and ends on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October. In his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Creation, Pope Francis reminds us that the next chapter in the Church’s synodal journey will begin at the conclusion of the Season of Creation. He hopes that this synodal journey will foster deeper communion enriched by greater dialogue. To learn more, please contact our Peace, Justice and Ecology team via met@parracatholic.org
NATSICC Indigenous Voice Website – One Journey Together
NATSICC and Caritas Australia have launched www.indigenousvoice.church – a website that empowers Catholics to make an informed decision at the 2023 Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum. The site contains a collation of statements of Catholic Organisations, resources to assist in discernment and the voices of First Australians and our Catholic Leaders.
Pasifika Empowered 2023: 7 October
Led by Uniting Church Pasifika leaders, Pasifika Empowered focusses on climate change, costs of living and a fair transition for the Pacific and Western Sydney. There will be music, stories, theological reflection and Pasifika wisdom on care for the earth, and the Minister’s response to our asks for stronger climate action. The event will be held on Saturday 7 October from 1pm at the Pullman Hotel, Sydney Olympic Park. Entry is free and all are welcome but registration is essential as seats are limited. To register, please visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pasifika-empowered-2023-climate-justice-and-cost-of-living-tickets-664258473977
Missionaries of God’s Love Made Free Creative Retreat: 20 – 22 October
Join the MGL Sisters in a weekend retreat that explores a range of creative prayer experiences. Recapture the freedom you were made for, let go of what is burdening you, and let God fill you again with life.
Venue: Carmel House, 345 St Andrews Rd, Varroville NSW
Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/CFBRD (by 6 October)
Contact: Judy – mglsisters.sydney@gmail.com
Kairos Prison Ministry for Women Weekend: 10 – 12 November
This support group is for women who have family members serving a prison sentence. Live-in weekends are held twice a year at Mt Schoenstatt, Mulgoa. This is a safe space where women can meet and share with others their challenges. The next weekend will be held November 10 – 12, 2023. If you would like more information, please contact your parish team.
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.
