News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Development Manager – Property Services, Diocese of Parramatta.
- Parish Secretary – Holy Name of Mary Parish, Rydalmere.
- Lead Facilitator of Diocesan Plan Implementation – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 25 September
- Marriage Facilitator – Diocese of Parramatta – Applications close 3 October
More details at: parracatholic.org/about/jobs/
Will Wonders Never Cease. What Will Be Your Legacy?
A gift in your Will is an enduring way to give thanks to God and share your blessings beyond your lifetime. During Include A Charity Week, we invite you – after providing for your loved ones – to consider a gift in your Will to our parish or a Catholic ministry in our Diocese. Legacy gifts advance Christian works of faith, hope, and charity for future generations. For information on remembering our Church in your Will: parracatholic.org/giftsinWills
Catholic Schools Bishop Manning Support Fund
Would you like your child to receive a Catholic education but are worried that your family cannot afford it? Please consider applying for a bursary that will cover the school fees, the cost of uniforms and equipment for primary or secondary school students for up to four years of enrolment. The fund, named in honour of the recently deceased Bishop Kevin Manning, is a Diocesan charity that seeks to ensure all families who want a Catholic education for their child can receive one. Please scan this code or visit https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/affordable-education/bishop-manning-support-fund. Applications close 18 October.
Bishop’s Father’s Day Appeal supporting our retired priests
This Father’s Day, let us show our thanks and appreciation for our priests’ lifelong gifts of faithful service. They have dedicated their lives to guiding us spiritually and emotionally, often at great personal sacrifice. Your compassionate donation cares for our clergy’s health and wellbeing during sickness and retirement. Please give generously to the Bishop’s Father’s Day Appeal at parracatholic.org/fathersdayappeal or scan this QR code. Thank you.
Safeguarding Face-to-face Training Opportunities
The next session of face-to-face Mandatory Safeguarding Training will be held on Saturday 28 September at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, St Marys for Modules 1-3. More training opportunities will be available throughout September and October. 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
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
Diocesan Season of Creation Gathering: 14 September
You are invited to a Diocesan Season of Creation gathering on Saturday 14 September from 10am to 4om at Winbourne Retreat Centre, Mulgoa. This event is part of Catholic Earthcare’s national Season of Creation Convocation from 12-14 September. Cost is $50 for the Diocesan gathering only, or $100 for the full Convocation (with days 1 and 2 online). For program details, please visit tinyurl.com/soc-gathering24. Register for the Convocation by 10 September at caritas.org.au/soc-convocation.
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
Calling all Year 12 Students!
The annual HSC exams are just around the corner! We invite you to attend your local HSC Mass, where you’ll join countless other students from across the Diocese in prayer for those undertaking their final exams. Masses will be held during the weekend of 5-6 October 2024. During the Mass, you will receive a blessing along with a small gift. Keep an eye on your parish bulletin in the coming weeks for more details.
MET Worship Ministry to the Sick and Dying Formation: 19 October
Are you currently taking Communion to the Sick and Dying in the Diocese of Parramatta? If so, please join the Office for Worship for a day of ongoing formation to further your knowledge and understanding of this important topic. Saturday 19 October from 9.30am – 2pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. Morning tea and Lunch provided. For more information and to register before 14 October, please contact Hannah on hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org or 0488 000 211 or visit https://parracatholic.org/connect/events/?series=office-for-worship
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
Mt Schoenstatt Retreat for Young Women: 13 – 15 September
The Mount Schoenstatt community invite young women aged 18 to 35 for a weekend retreat entitled, “Encounter – God, nature, friends and yourself” from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September at the Mt Schoenstatt Shrine, Mulgoa. Single room is $265, shared room $217 and Saturday only is $65. Places are limited and registrations close 8 September. To register, contact Sr M Rita on 0493 026 628 or email srrita@schoenstatt.org.au.
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
Mount Druitt South Parish Fete: 15 September
The Sacred Heart Parish South Mount Druitt fete will be held on Sunday 15 September at Sacred Heart Primary School, Mt Druitt, from 10am to 3pm. Activities include a While Elephant stall, jumping castle, chocolate wheel and showbags. For more information, contact the parish office on (02) 9832 3896.
Glenmore Park St Padre Pio Feast Day Celebrations
Everyone is invited to join Glenmore Park Parish for the parochial feast of St Padre Pio. The parish will be celebrating a three day Triduum:
- Thursday 19 September – 7.00pm Novena to St Padre Pio and Mass
- Friday 20 September – 7.00pm Novena to St Padre Pio and Mass
- Saturday 21 September – 5.30pm Novena to St Padre Pio and Vigil Mass
With the feast day celebrations on Sunday 22 September from 10am with a solemn procession with the relic, Mass, veneration and blessing by the relic. For enquiries, contact the parish office on (02) 4789 2232 or glenmorepark@parracatholic.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 https://www.campion.edu.au/event/early-christianity-symposium/
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
Other Notices
From Darkness to Light – An exploration of domestic violence: 8 September
The Marist Family Justice, Peace and Integrity in Creation Committee are hosting an event, “From darkness to light: an exploration of domestic violence” at Holy Name of Mary Church Hall, Hunters Hill, on Sunday 8 September from 1.30pm to 4pm. Guest speakers include Livia La Rocca, a psychologist with 20 years’ experience and Nicole Yade, CEO of the Women and Girls Emergency Centre. RSVP by 1 September via www.maristlaityaustralia.com/dark-to-light
Australian Catholic Historical Society Talk: 15 September
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 15 September on “Catholic-mindedness in the Catholic doctor” by independent scholar Dr Anne Thoeming. 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
Missionaries of God’s Love Springtime Creative Retreat: 11 – 13 October
The Missionaries of God’s Love are organising a weekend retreat for men and women from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 October at Carmel House, 345 St Andrews Rd, Varroville. Come and experience the healing power of creativity as we step into the blossoming wonders of Spring. Nurture your inner self and watch the boundless possibilities that emerge from spending time co-creating with God. For bookings before 27 September, please visit http://www.trybooking.com/CNSWN. For enquiries, contact Judy – mglsisters.sydney@gmail.com
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.
