News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Launch of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for a Synodal Church
On Saturday 10 August, the Diocese of Parramatta launched the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for a Synodal Church. Our pastoral plan represents the culmination of our Synod journey, where we have come together to listen, discern, and envision a path forward for our diocese over the past 16 months. To download a copy of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, visit parracatholic.org/synodality.
ACBC 2024-2025 Social Justice Statement Launch: 20 August
All are warmly invited to attend the official launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s 2024-2025 Social Justice Statement, ‘Truth & Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World’ on Tuesday 20 August from 10am to 12pm in St Paul’s Catholic College Sports Hall, Greystanes, adjoining Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Please RSVP your attendance via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/1Wd96tbps0
Vale Bishop Kevin Manning
On Friday 2 August, the Diocese of Parramatta bid a fond farewell to Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning, the second Bishop of Parramatta, during a moving service at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Visit catholicoutlook.org for stories, images and video from Bishop Manning’s funeral. You can also share your memories of Bishop Manning via our online condolence book via https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/NR3o0u4X. We continue to pray for the repose of his soul and give thanks to God for his earthly life.
Thank you for getting #Active4Vocations and supporting our Holy Spirit Seminarians!
Last Sunday, 17 Holy Spirit Seminarians, priests, and parishioners from the Diocese of Parramatta pounded the pavement in the 14km City2Surf. Thanks to you, our faith community, for so generously supporting their efforts to raise awareness of priestly vocations and funds to support or seminarians’ spiritual development. If you haven’t had a chance to spur them on their path to the priesthood, please scan the QR code or donate @ tinyurl.com/Active4Vocations.
Safeguarding Face-to-face Training Opportunities
The next session of face-to-face Mandatory Safeguarding Training will be held on Wednesday 21 August at Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill-Schofields, for Modules 4-5. More training opportunities will be available throughout August and September. Please register directly for this training or for other convenient dates and locations by clicking on the training event at: https://parracatholic.org/connect/events/?series=safeguarding-training. For more information, please email: safeguardingtraining@parracatholic.org
Diocesan Season of Creation Mass: 1 September
The Diocese of Parramatta’s Laudato Si’ Action Team and Sacred Heart Parish Blackheath invite you to Mass with Bishop Vincent Long to launch the Season of Creation 2024 (1 September – 4 October) on Sunday 1 September at Sacred Heart Church, Blackheath, at 9.30am. Morning tea will be served after Mass. Let us join in praise and celebrate the gifts and wonders that God bestows on us.
The FaithFeed: 6 September
Looking for great conversations + live atmosphere + storytelling from those in their 20s, 30s 40s? Sign up for The FaithFeed, Friday 6 September 2024 – Doors open 7PM w/live music for 7:30PM start. Downstairs @ Bishop Bede Heather Centre: 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown NSW 2148. RSVP via QR or get in touch with the team via met@parracatholic.org
MET FaithLIFE Spirituality Short Course: Starting 17 September
Searching for a deeper understanding of spirituality? Hoping to find renewed ways of expressing your faith? Wanting to further discern God’s call in your life? Sign up now for the 3-session FaithLIFE Spirituality short course with spiritual director Jeff Hood on Tuesdays 17 SEP + 24 SEP + 1 OCT! Registration and more dates and details via QR or get in touch with the team via met@parracatholic.org
MET Worship Children’s Liturgy Workshop: 19 September
Children’s liturgy team members are invited to attend a workshop with an outline of the Diocesan Guidelines and a Children’s Liturgy Q&A session with the Diocesan Liturgy Educator, Sr Mary-Louise Walsh. This will be held on Thursday 19 September from 7pm – 8:30pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre in Blacktown. To register or for more information, please email Lucy on lucy.woodbury@parracatholic.org or use this link: https://parracatholic.org/events/met-childrens-liturgy-workshop-19-sept/
Holy Hour for Vocations: 20 September
Please join us across the Diocese to pray for more vocations to the priesthood. Join us at Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill-Schofields on Friday 20 September 7pm to 8pm. Deacon Menard Gaspi will be leading adoration and giving a short talk about vocations to the priesthood. Confessions will be heard during Adoration. Join us afterwards for refreshments. For more information, please contact the parish office on (02) 9626 3326 or email parishoffice@maryimmac.org.au
Catholic Care Mamre Supported Playgroup
Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are offering a free supported playgroup which operates on Thursdays from 10am to 12pm during school terms at Mamre House, 181 Mamre Rd, Orchard Hills. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact Mamre Supported Playgroup on (02) 8843 2506.
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.
Mount Schoenstatt Shrine Time Holy Hour for Youth and Young Adults
The Mount Schoenstatt community invite young and young adults for Holy Hour every fourth Sunday of the month from 7pm to 8pm at the Mt Schoenstatt Shrine, 230 Fairlight Road, Mulgoa, followed by a social gathering afterwards. There will be opportunities for praise and worship, prayer, reflection, confession and benediction. For more information, please contact Sr M Rita on 0493 026 628 or srrita@schoenstatt.org.au
Winbourne Being Peaceful Change Reflection Day: 17 August
The Winbourne Edmund Rice Retreat Centre, Mulgoa, is holding a reflection day on ‘Being Peaceful Change’ on Saturday 17 August from 9.30am to 12.30pm. “Before you speak of peace, you must first have it in your heart” (St Francis of Assisi). How might we achieve this unity and carry it forward? Cost is $15 per person. For more information or to book, contact (02) 4773 5555 or email info@winbourne.org
Glenbrook Parish Universal Sisterhood Women’s Retreat: 17 August
Universal Sisterhood is hosting a women’s retreat on Saturday 17 August from 8.45am to 5.15pm at St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook. This retreat is open to all women 18+ who want to develop a deeper understanding of their faith and are searching for an authentic relationship with the Lord and with other like minded women. Registration is $100. To register, please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1171377. All enquiries, call 0403 962 181.
Luddenham-Warragamba Parish Youth Connect evening: 18 August
Sacred Heart Parish, Luddenham-Warragamba invites young people aged 12 to 25 for a Youth Connect evening at Holy Family Church, Luddenham on Sunday 18 August from 6pm to 8pm. Join us for Encounter Night, hosted by the Youth Mission Team. Call Alicja to register or for more information – 0438 776 945.
Sisters of Faith Young Womens Retreat: 31 August
To celebrate National Vocations Awareness Week, young women aged 18-35 are invited to a retreat day on Saturday 31 August from 10am to 3pm at the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth community, 116-132 Quakers Road, Marayong. Meet with sisters from nine different congregations for a day of inspiring talks, Q&A, Eucharist, Holy Hour and great food. To register, please contact Sr Christine Ramada CSFN on vocationscsfn@gmail.com or 0426 092 699.
Catholic Care Bringing Up Great Kids Parenting Group: Begins 3 September
Parents and caregivers are welcome to join a parenting group designed by the Australian Childhood Foundation run over four sessions at Catholic Care’s Mamre House, Orchard Hills, from Thursday 3 September from 10am to 1pm. The course is supported by the free Mamre Creche. Numbers are limited, so express your interest by contacting (02) 8843 2500 or 0439 917 129 by 15 August.
Winbourne Sin and Redemption Reflection Day: 14 September
The Winbourne Edmund Rice Retreat Centre, Mulgoa, is holding a reflection day on ‘Sin and Redemption’ on Saturday 14 September from 9.30am to 12.30pm. God’s only use for sin is to turn it on its head and use it to save us. How might Iiuse this to energise my life? Cost is $15 per person. For more information or to book, contact (02) 4773 5555 or email info@winbourne.org
Campion College Early Christianity Symposium: 27 – 28 September
Campion College is delighted to announce an upcoming symposium, “Shepherd at the Crossroads: Converging Traditions in Early Christianity,” to be held on September 27-28, 2024, at the college campus in Toongabbie. This event offers a unique opportunity to delve into the multicultural and multi-traditional character of Early Christianity and its enduring influence. Two-day tickets are available for $120 per person while a one-day ticket will cost $70 per person. Concession pricing is available. To purchase tickets and learn more about the event, visit www.campion.edu.au/event/early-christianitysymposium
Winbourne The Aramaic Lord’s Prayer Reflection Day: 28 September
The Winbourne Edmund Rice Retreat Centre, Mulgoa, is holding a reflection day on ‘The Aramaic Lord’s Prayer’ on Saturday 28 September from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Returning to what Jesus actually said is a truly enlightening and prayerful experience. Cost is $15 per person. For more information or to book, contact (02) 4773 5555 or email info@winbourne.org
Great Saints of Italy Pilgrimage with Fr Chris del Rosario: October 2024
Final few places are available to join Fr Christopher del Rosario on a breathtaking pilgrimage on the footsteps of some of Italy’s most well-known saints. Follow their paths etched into our faith heritage, from the great Christian centre of Rome to sacred towns made famous by Padre Pio, St Francis, St Clare, St Catherine and St Anthony. Pilgrimage commences 21 October 2024. For more details, visit www.harvestjourneys.com/tour/great-saints-of-italy/.
Other Notices
ACBC Absent from the Table Survey
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is undertaking a research project aimed at investigating why some Catholics do not participate in regular weekly Sunday Mass. The survey, for those who self-identify as Catholics and are 18 years and over and who do not regularly attend weekly Mass on Sunday, is anonymous and will close on 20 August. The survey and information about the project can be found at https://bit.ly/AbsentFromTheTableSurvey
Growing in Faith: Los Angeles Religious Education Congress 2025
There is an opportunity for a group to travel to the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress experience in February 2025. The Congress focuses on growing in understanding about the Catholic faith and seeking personal growth. Synodal Consultancy is organising a 10-day pilgrimage with visits to Christ Cathedral and Disneyland! Please contact Lisa Bright from Synodal Consultancy on 0419 418 547 to find out more. See https://recongress.org/ for more information about the Congress.
Australasian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform webinar with Massimo Faggioli: 15 August
The Australasian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform is hosting a webinar with guest speaker Massimo Faggioli, Professor of Theology and Religious studies at Villanova University and La Croix International contributor on “Towards Synod 2024 Opening: October and beyond” on Thursday 15 August at 4.30pm AEST. The event will be hosted on Zoom and is free. To register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/5d43w4df
Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend: 17 – 18 August
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 17-18 August, with future dates in November and February 2025. For further information and to register, visit www.engagedencounter.org.au/
Australian Catholic Historical Society Talk: 18 August
The next event for the Australian Catholic Historical Society will be held in the crypt of St Patrick’s, Church Hill at 2pm on Sunday 18 August on “The decline of Australian Catholic intellectual life” with Gerard Windsor, novelist and reviewer. Members, their guests, and visitors are most welcome and there is no charge. Details of the program of the ACHS as well as resources on church history are on the website https://australiancatholichistoricalsociety.com.au/. Enquiries may be directed to secretaryachs@gmail.com
Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day: 18 August
You are invited to a Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day on Sunday 18 August from 10am to around 3pm at St Benedict’s Monastery, 121 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia. There will be an introduction to Christian Meditation for newcomers with periods of meditation for ongoing meditators, presentations and prayer with the monks. Mass will be celebrated in the afternoon. Morning tea will be provided, but please bring your own picnic lunch. Donations are welcome. For enquiries, please contact Ann Lomas on atlomas@bigpond.com or call 0437 340 250.
Jesus Light of the World Communities Growth Formation Retreat: 23 – 25 August
The Jesus Light of the World Communities invites you to their Growth Formation Retreat from 23 to 25 August at The Collaroy Centre, Collaroy. The program includes Mass, talks, workshops and discussions and an hour of empowerment. Prices are $450 per person for single, or $360 per person twin share. For more information, please contact Helen on 0433 455 114 or email jlowcommunity@gmail.com
St Phoebe Webinar 2024: 3 September
Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate, supported by Catholic Religious Australia invite you to the 2024 St Phoebe webinar “Where are St Phoebe’s successors today?” on Tuesday 3 September at 7.30pm AEST. Join Geraldine Doogue AO, Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO and Dr Sandie Cornish to reflect on synodality and access for women to the diaconate. To register, please visit www.liturgyonthemargins.org/events
Divine Retreat Centre offerings in 2024
The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW is hosting a variety of single-day and weekend residential retreats throughout 2024. For more information and bookings, please contact (02) 4372 1598 or email drcretreatrego@gmail.com to confirm attendance. Visit www.divineretreatcentre.org for more information.
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.
