News & Events Weekly Update

News & events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond.
Diocesan Family Sunday on 23 October with the theme ‘Family – An Oasis of Mercy’. Join us for an afternoon family gathering with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents in Kellyville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.

The Way of Mercy

Pope Francis has called for a more merciful and inclusive church in “which we are all called to give consolation to each man and each woman of our time”. In response, the relics of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and St Teresa of Kolkata accompanied by a 3.7m high wooden Mercy Cross are on a pilgrimage through the Diocese of Parramatta.

15-16 October: The Mercy Cross and Relics will be hosted by Mary Immaculate Parish, 125 Barnier Drive, Quakers Hill, with St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens; Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville; and Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill.

22-23 October: The Mercy Cross and Relics will be hosted by The Good Shepherd Parish, 130-136 Hyatts Road, Plumpton, with St Aidan’s Parish, Rooty Hill; Holy Family Parish, Mt Druitt; and Sacred Heart Parish, Mt Druitt South.

30-31 October: The Mercy Cross and Relics will be hosted by St Nicholas of Myra Parish, 326 High Street,  Penrith, with Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook; St Joseph’s Parish, Kingswood; Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, St Marys; and Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair.

4-5 November: Mt Schoenstatt Way of Mercy Gathering & Procession. Friday: 6pm-10pm adoration and reflection in the Shrine. Saturday: 9am Stations of Mercy from the Valley up to the Shrine or Anointing of the Sick in the Shrine; 11am Mass celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv; Afterwards lunch available or BYO for an enjoyable afternoon on the grounds of Mt Schoenstatt Spirituality Centre, 230 Fairlight Rd, Mulgoa. Details: tel (02) 4773 8338, manager@schoenstatt.org.au

5-6 November: hosted by St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood, with Sacred Heart Parish, Blackheath; St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish, Upper Blue Mountains; and Our Lady of the Nativity Parish, Lawson.

To find out more about the Way of Mercy in the Diocese of Parramatta, click here or send an email to the Pastoral Planning Office.

Free Retirement Planning Seminars: 11 October

Australian Catholic Superannuation & Retirement Fund is offering two FREE seminars at Wenty Leagues Club: from 4.30pm-6pm and from 7pm-8.30pm. For more information and to register, click here.

Free Planning for Aged Care Seminar: 11 October

Catholic Super and MyLife MyAdvice offers this FREE seminar, which will cover: types of aged care services, costs of residential aged care, payment options, strategies to cover costs and create the best financial outcomes. Anyone is welcome to attend. Arrive 11.45am for noon start, concludes 1pm. Parramatta RSL, Macquarie Room, cnr Macquarie & O’Connell Streets, Parramatta. To register, click here.

Young Men of God National Conference: 14-16 October

The conference is an annual gathering of young men from around Australia to be further formed in faith through engaging sessions with some of Australia’s best speakers including Fr Rob Galea, Karen Doyle and Fr Ken Barker MGL. Venue is The Tops Conference Centre. To register, click here.

Holy Hour for Vocations: 20 October

Everyone is welcome to join the Holy Hour for Vocations from 7pm-8pm for adoration, prayer, music and quiet time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Plc, Parramatta.

5th Annual Rosalie Rendu Lecture ‘The Changing Face of Poverty’: 20 October

During Anti-Poverty Week, the Society of St Vincent de Paul NSW presents this year’s Rosalie Rendu Lecture. The Hon Susan Ryan AO will present Homelessness in Older Women as one aspect of ‘The Changing Face of Poverty’ followed by a Q&A panel discussion. The lecture honours Blessed Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity who was a leading worker and social organiser to assist people in the slums of 19th Century Paris. From 6pm-7.30pm at Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt St, Sydney. To register by 13 October click here.

Renaissance of Marriage: 21-22 October

Renaissance of Marriage 2016 National Marriage Conference. For the first time in five years comes an opportunity for you to be part of reviving and strengthening the marriage culture in Australia. Get inspired, be energised and connect with others over two days of national and international speakers, including Christopher West. For more information on the conference, fee schedule and speakers, visit the website www.rom.org.au

Rachel’s Vineyard Healing Retreat: 21-23 October

This weekend retreat in Sydney is designed to bring psychological and spiritual healing to anyone who has been affected by an abortion experience including women, men, couples and grandparents. Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries Australia is supported by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Confidential inquiries: tel or SMS 0400 092 555, info@rachelsvineyard.org.au For more information visit: www.rachelsvineyard.org.au

Diocesan Family Sunday: 23 October

Theme: ‘Family – An Oasis of Mercy’. Afternoon family gathering with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv and St Teresa of Kolkata’s Missionaries of Charity. From 2pm-5pm at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents, 8 Greyfriar Place, Kellyville. Be part of the Way of Mercy with the Mercy Cross and relics of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and St Teresa of Kolkata. Hosted by the Life, Marriage & Family Office, Parramatta. Family Sunday will be celebrated at Masses throughout the Diocese of Parramatta. Inquiries tel (02) 8838 3441, email lmf@parra.catholic.org.au

Couple Evening: 28 October

Everyone warmly invited to attend the Life, Marriage & Family Office Marriage Enrichment evening entitled ‘Communication 101’. This DVD presentation features Dr Gary Chapman, the well-known author of the Five Love Languages. This event is free and a light supper will be served.  Starts 7.30pm in St Paul the Apostle Parish Hall, 40 Buckleys Road, Winston Hills. RSVP to Life, Marriage & Family Office, Diocese of Parramatta: tel (02) 8838 3460 or send an email to lkeane@parra.catholic.org.au

Sisters celebrating 25 Years of Consecrated Life: 29 October

You are invited to join three Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth – Sr Paula, Sr Grace and Sr Margaret – as they celebrate 25 years of consecrated life. Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv will celebrate Mass at 11am on Saturday 29 October in the Polish War Memorial Chapel, 128-132 Quakers Rd, Marayong, to be followed by a light lunch.

A Night in the South Pacific: 29 October

Put on your most colourful dress or shirt. Tickets: $35 or $30 conc. Includes finger food on arrival, two-course buffet, live band, island dancers, photo booth and entertainment for the kids, lucky door prizes for the best island dress and much more. Starts 7pm in St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall & Cloister, 1 Marist Plc, Parramatta. Tickets available after Mass or tel (02) 8839 8400. All proceeds for St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish.

Stella Maris College Manly Ex-students Association: 30 October

All former students are encouraged to come and bid farewell to the Hall/D Block with afternoon tea from 2pm at Benedict Campus, 270 Pittwater Rd, Manly – the old “Fisho’s” – then 2.30pm under the fig tree on the main campus. No cost. Please spread the word. To judge numbers, RSVP with a brief bio to: donna_stimson@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au

Thanksgiving Mass for RCIA & Sacraments of Initiation teams: 4 November

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv will celebrate the annual Thanksgiving Mass for RCIA and Sacraments of Initiation teams and facilitators. Mass at 7.30pm in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. RSVP 2 November: Office for Worship tel (02) 8838 3456 or send an email to alobo@parra.catholic.org.au

Bringing Laudato Si’ to Life – From Vision to Action: 10 November

With Fr Sean McDonagh SSC, Irish eco-theologian and Columban missionary, who will contribute to bringing the vision of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’ to life and action in churches and the wider community, in dialogue with other faiths and with environmentalists. Time: 6pm for 6.30pm start – finishes at 8.30pm, Australian Catholic University, Gleeson Auditorium, Barker Rd, Strathfield. For further information, click here or contact Anne Lanyon tel (02) 9352 8021, cmi@columban.org.au

‘Leading an Energised Life’: 11-13 November

This weekend workshop is for those who are interested in exploring and developing their spirituality in ways that energise their lives. Facilitated by Br (Dr) Barry Donaghue, Director Emeritus of Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Cedar Rapids, US. Venue is the Edmund Rice Retreat & Conference Centre, Winbourne, 1315 Mulgoa Rd, Mulgoa. Information: click here.  Bookings: (02) 4773 5555.

Fr Laurence Freeman OSB to lead Meditatio Outreach on Meditation & Ageing: 20 November

A Meditatio Seminar with Fr Laurence Freeman OSB, Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation. Fr Laurence will lead this Meditatio Outreach on Meditation & Ageing with keynote speakers, a panel, personal testimonies and small reflection groups, interwoven with meditation and contemplative practices. Registration 10am, first presentation 10.30am, Eucharist will conclude the day. Morning tea provided – BYO lunch. For more information, click here. Bookings: acmcmeditatio@gmail.com

For more events please go to http://parracatholic.org/events/

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