News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Word of God Sunday: 9 February
The Church in Australia celebrates the Sunday of the Word of God on February 9 in 2025. Pope Francis established the day, which is devoted to “the celebration, study and dissemination” of the Word of God. Visit catholic.org.au/wordofgodsunday to access resources to help commemorate the day and for suggestions on how to better engage with Sacred Scripture in various ways and settings.
Safeguarding Face-to-face Training Opportunities: 15 February
The next session of face-to-face Mandatory Safeguarding Training will be held on Saturday 15 February at St Monica’s Richmond for Cycle 1 (Modules 1-3). More training opportunities will be available throughout February and May. 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 World Day of Prayer for the Sick: 11 February
A World Day of Prayer for the Sick, including the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, will be held at 11am on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at St Patrick’s Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. All are welcome, including those who may be sick, and those who care for the sick and dying and health care professionals. RSVPs are required by 6 February 2025 via parracatholic.org/world-day-prayer-feb11
Peace, Justice & Ecology Sharings online gathering: 13 February
“Peace, Justice & Ecology Sharings” are quarterly online gatherings for everyone interested in social justice, care for creation, or global peace. They are an opportunity to connect, meet like-minded people, and discuss what’s currently happening in the Peace, Justice & Ecology space. In February, the PJE Sharing will focus on raising the age of criminal responsibility in NSW and Caritas’ Project Compassion. You are invited to join Thursday 13 February 2025, 6:30-8:00pm. To receive a zoom link, please RSVP to met@parracatholic.org
Music for Lent Workshop: 13 February
Musicians and Liturgy Planners are invited to attend an evening exploring Music for Lent on Thursday 13 February from 7pm at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. The session will be presented by Eric Grella, Music Formation Facilitator, Mission Enhancement Team. Registrations are essential, please RSVP by 11 February via parracatholic.org/music-workshop
FaithLIFE Scripture Short Courses for adults: 12-26 February
Are you looking to read the Bible more in 2025 but don’t know where to start? Consider the FREE FaithLIFE Scripture Short Course guided by Scripture scholar, Dr Michele Connolly RSJ. Wednesdays, 12, 19, & 26 February. 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM 1-5 Marion Street Blacktown – Bishop Bede Heather Centre. RSVP via https://parracatholic.org/faithlife OR email met@parracatholic.org
Memorial Mass of St Josephine Bakhita: 16 February
All are welcome to attend the Memorial Mass of St Josephine Bakhita, the Patron Saint of South Sudan and Sudan, and Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown on Sunday 16 February at 12:30pm. We hope you will join us to commemorate the victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in Australia and worldwide and thank God for the gifts that the South Sudanese and Sudanese communities contribute to our society.
MET Natural Fertility Instruction Sessions
MET Natural Fertility are organising a series of instruction sessions on the Natural Family Planning methods offered by the Diocese of Parramatta via Zoom. Learn how to chart your cycle, space out pregnancies and identify the best time to reach your family goals.
- Creighton Model FertilityCare System: 19 February at 7:15pm
- Sympto-Thermal Method: 25 February at 7:15pm
- Billings Ovulation Method®: 18 March at 7:30pm
To book your place or for further information or instruction, please contact Catherine on catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or call 0400 427 605.
Ambrose Opens Good Shepherd Plumpton Preschool: Enrol Now
Ambrose is excited to announce the official opening of Good Shepherd Plumpton preschool on Thursday, 30th January. Our spacious indoor rooms are filled with resources for play and inquiry-based learning, while the outdoor area offers garden beds, climbing equipment, bike tracks, a sandpit, and more for imaginative play. We’re open from 7am – 6pm, welcoming children aged 2 to 5. Limited vacancies available: www.ambrose.org.au/early-learning-good-shepherd-plumpton/
Diocese of Parramatta Tribunal Office
The Tribunal of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Parramatta is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, to offer advice and assistance regarding marriage annulments and dissolution of marriages. Interviews are preferably conducted in person with Zoom and telephone interviews in special circumstances. Please contact the Tribunal Office on (02) 8838 3480 or email tribunal@parracatholic.org.
Across our Parishes
Mount Schoenstatt Women’s Retreat ‘Grace & Silence 2025’ Commencing 8 March
This four-part single-day retreat series is for single young women aged 20-35 discerning their vocation. Attendance on all four days is highly recommended. Spaces are limited, and registration is essential. The retreats take place on Saturdays: 8 February, 8 March, 12 April, and 10 May, from 9:30am to 4:30pm, at “Bethany,” 301 Fairlight Road, Mulgoa. The cost is $25 per day, including lunch. For more information or to register, contact Hannah on 0433 443 384.
Women’s Lenten Retreat at Mount Schoenstatt: 21-23 February
Join us at Mount Schoenstatt for a reflective retreat inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. The retreat runs from 7pm on 21 February to 4pm on 23 February. Costs are $240 per person for a shared room, $290 per person for a single room (limited availability), or $60 per person per day for day attendance. Accommodation and meals are included, or lunch for day attendees. Register by 12 February by contacting Sr M Elizabeth Foley at bookings@schoenstatt.org.au or 02 4773 8338.
Mount Schoenstatt Monthly Shrine Time
Join us for Monthly Holy Hour for youth and young adults at the Schoenstatt Shrine, Mulgoa, every fourth Sunday of the month for praise, worship, silence, prayer, reflection and benediction at the Shrine. There is the opportunity to go to confession and there is a small social gathering afterwards. For further information please contact Sr M Rita via srrita@schoenstatt.org.au or 0493 026 628. Web: https://schoenstatt.org.au/
Other Notices
Australian Catholic Historical Society ‘Tragedy and farce: The Sister Liguori story’: 16 February
The next Australian Catholic Historical Society event is on Sunday, 16 February, at 2:00 PM in the crypt of Saint Patrick’s, Church Hill. Jeff Kildea, Barrister and Historian, will present Tragedy and Farce: The Sister Liguori Story. All are welcome; no charge. Visit https://australiancatholichistoricalsociety.com.au/ for details and resources.
Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend: 22-23 February
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 22-23 February, with future dates in May, August and November 2025. For further information visit www.engagedencounter.org.au
Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day: 16 February
You are invited to a Christian Meditation Introduction and Renewal Day on Sunday 16 February and 18 May from 10am to 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 is provided, but please bring your own picnic lunch. For enquiries, please contact Ann Lomas on atlomas@bigpond.com or call 0437 340 250.