News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal for Catholic Care’s chaplaincy services
This Lent, will you be a pilgrim of hope to people who may break in the face of suffering? Your kind-hearted gift and prayers will help our chaplains at Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains offer pastoral care, comfort and Christian companionship that can bring healing and transformation. Please give generously to the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal at parracatholic.org/appeal or scan this QR code. Thank you.
Nominations open for the 2025 Papal & Diocesan Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Papal and Diocesan Awards, recognising individuals—both religious and lay—who have made outstanding contributions to the Catholic Church and its community. Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised? Nominations close at midnight on 31 May 2025. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit parracatholic.org/contribute/papal-diocesan-awards/
Bookings now open: Diocese of Parramatta’s Adult 35 years+ Jubilee Pilgrimage
Join a life-changing 19-day pilgrimage from 7 to 25 September 2025, exploring sacred sites in Greece, Turkey, and Rome. Open to adults aged 35 and over, this journey follows St. Paul’s path and the early Church, culminating in the Jubilee Year of Hope in Rome. Bookings close on 2 May 2025, with a deposit of $800 required at the time of booking. The final payment is due by 7 July 2025. Don’t miss this incredible faith experience. For more information and to register, visit parracatholic.org/jubileepilgrimage2025/.
Bookings now open: Diocese of Parramatta’s Jubilee Youth Pilgrimage
Young people (18-35 years) across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are invited to embark on an 18-day pilgrimage to the Jubilee of Youth in Rome from 19 July – 5 August 2025. The journey includes a visit to Greece, tracing the footsteps of Saint Paul, before heading to Rome for the celebration. To book your spot or for more information visit parracatholic.org/jubileeyouth2025
Safeguarding the Elderly Project
Are you interested in sharing and listening to ideas about how we can meet the needs of older people in our Parish communities? You are invited to host a morning tea with your parish or ministry team. Those involved in ministries such as Ministers of Communion to the Sick and Pastoral Care Groups, are invited to share their experiences and reflections. Please contact Maria Kervin (Manager, Prevention, Healing & Support) at: mariakervin@parracatholic.org for more information.
Adult Jubilee Pilgrimage Information Session: 9 April
Thinking about joining the Diocese of Parramatta’s Adult Jubilee Pilgrimage? Come to our information session to learn more about this life-changing journey. The night will include travel details, costs, and spiritual preparation. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions and discern if this pilgrimage is for you! Join us on Wednesday, April 9 at the Bishop Bede, Heather Centre from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Any questions or enquiries please contact met@parracatholic.org
Office of Tenebrae: 14 April
All are welcome to attend the annual Office of Tenebrae at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday 14 April at 7:30pm. The Office of Tenebrae is a Holy Week reflection liturgy including Scripture, psalm chanting and motets and will feature the Cathedral Choir. As the Diocese and the global Church prepares for Holy Week, the Tenebrae service is a reminder of the eternal light and hope brought into the world through Christ’s Resurrection. Catholics are invited to attend the Office of Tenebrae at least once in their life.
Safeguarding Face-to-face Training Opportunities: 3 May
The next session of face-to-face Mandatory Safeguarding Renewal Training will be held on Saturday 3 May at Holy Family Church, Emerton for Cycle 2 (Modules 4-5). More training opportunities will be available throughout 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
Music Workshop ‘Exploring Music for the Solemnities’: 8 May
Musicians from the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond are invited to attend this workshop led by MET Music Formation Facilitator Eric Grella. The workshop will outline suggested hymns and explore music new and old for the many Solemnities and Feasts that occur in the period of Eastertide. Bring any music related questions along on Thursday 8 May to the Bishop Bede Heather Centre 1-5 Marion St, Blacktown at 7pm. Please RSVP by 2 May via parracatholic.org/events/OFW . For enquiries, please contact ofw@parracatholic.org or 0488 000 211.
Children’s Liturgy Workshop: 15 May
Are you a part of children’s liturgy or looking to get started? Come along to this informative workshop to learn more about the Diocesan guidelines, meet children’s liturgy teams from other parishes, and ask any questions you may have about this rewarding ministry.
This workshop will be held at Bishop Bede Heather Centre 1-5 Marion St, Blacktown on Thursday 15 May at 7-8:30pm. Please RSVP via parracatholic.org/events/OFW by 12 May. For enquiries, please contact ofw@parracatholic.org or 0460 037 795.
Commissioning Mass of Liturgical Ministers: 13 May
In this Jubilee Year of Hope all liturgical ministers – readers, servers and extra ordinary ministers are invited to join us for our Annual Commissioning Mass of Liturgical Ministers. Families and friends are also invited. This celebration will take place at 7:30pm on 13th May 2025, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. To register your attendance and guests please visit parracatholic.org/events/liturgical-ministers-commissioning-mass/
Ministry of Care Courses: 4- 25 June
Those who visit the sick and are involved in the Ministry of Communion to the Sick and Dying in Hospitals, Aged Care Facilities and in Homes are invited to attend this course on the Ministry of Care. It will be held every Wednesday evening at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre in Blacktown. Attend all 4 sessions to receive a certificate of completion or just attend the session(s) that interest you. Please visit parracatholic.org/events/OFW to reserve a spot. For enquiries, please contact ofw@parracatholic.org or 0488 000 211.
Looking for a school?
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese are now accepting enrolments for 2026. We have 80 schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, all supporting students to grow in faith and learning. Our welcoming local schools invite you to visit and explore the excellent educational opportunities on offer. Register today at parra.catholic.edu.au to browse our schools.
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
Young Adult Faith Formation Session on St Anthony of Padua: 6 April
Young Adult Faith Formation sessions continue on Sunday 6 April 2025 at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, South Mt Druitt (9 Ropes Creek Rd Mt Druitt) at 7pm. The speaker is Rev Dr Paschal Corby OFM Conv. who will talk about and lead discussion on St Anthony of Padua. All adults 18-35 are encouraged to come along and enjoy some faith formation, pizza, and fellowship! If you have any questions, please call Mark on 0477 004 678.
Mount Schoenstatt Monthly Shrine Time for men
Men at the Shrine is a monthly hour for men at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mulgoa, held on the second Wednesday of the month from 8-9pm. The hour includes a brief reflection, silent personal prayer and the opportunity for confession. The Shrine has been a place of pilgrimage in the diocese since 1968 and in 2025 is also one of the three locations in the diocese to gain the Jubilee Indulgence.
Good Friday Stations of the Cross at Mount Schoenstatt: 18 April
Join us at Mount Schoenstatt Shrine, Mulgoa on Good Friday (18 April) for the Stations of the Cross, commencing at 10am from the Valley to the Shrine. Contact Sr. M. Rita for further information on 0493 026 628 or visit the website: www.schoenstatt.org.au or Facebook page /MtSchoenstattMulgoa
Mount Schoenstatt Monthly Shrine Time for Youth and Young Adults
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
Blue Mountains Interfaith Group Gathering: 30 March
The Blue Mountains Interfaith Group welcome you to share our spirituality and care for the environment in these challenging times – with music, ideas and ceremony. Join us on Sunday 30 March from 2pm at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre. There will be children’s activities, and afternoon tea at no charge, donations appreciated. Bookings required via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/interfaith-gathering-our-spirituality-our-land-tickets-1260898404069
Varroville MGL Sisters Behold Day Retreat: 26 April
“BEHOLD, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Take a day to reflect on the incredible gift offered to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and allow God’s love and mercy to bring new life. To book or for more information visit, trybooking.com/CZPVW
National Conference for Ecumenical and Interfaith Works – ‘Walking Together’: 30-31 May
The Bishops Commission for Christian Unity and Inter-religious Dialogue invites Catholics engaged in ecumenical and interfaith activities to a two-day conference exploring unity, dialogue, and synodality in today’s Church. Marking 1700 years of the Nicene Creed and 60 years of Nostra Aetate, the event includes plenary sessions, workshops, and discussions. For details, contact Louise Zavone (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference): louise.zavone@catholic.org.au
Marriage Enrichment Weekend: 23-25 May
We are offering an opportunity for you to learn to become the best version of yourselves together and live your best life in love! Come and join us on 23-25 May at a Marriage Encounter Weekend in a Covid safe environment at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW – a stunning & tranquil oasis on the edge of Sydney. Book online at www.wwme.org.au or contact Christine & Terry Mahony on 0490 774 419 or nswbookings@wwme.org.au
Australian Catholic Safeguarding: Ireland & Rome Pilgrimage & Study Tour
Embark on a profound journey into the heart of Ireland’s Catholic heritage. Walk in the footsteps of the faithful, from St. Patrick, St. Kevin and St Brigid to the devoted Sisters of Mercy and Presentation Sisters. Experience the timeless beauty of Ireland’s sacred sites and historic cities, each graced by the warmth of traditional Irish hospitality. Bookings and deposits are required by mid-March and final payments at the start of April. For more information contact louise.zavaone@catholic.org.au
Sri Lankan Tour: September 2025
Join Fr Michael Kelly OSB on a unique tour of Sri Lanka, exploring its cultural and historical sites, stunning natural landscapes, and Benedictine monasteries. The itinerary includes visits to key landmarks, a wildlife park, and a scenic rail journey. Departure Date: 22 September 2025. Duration: 13 Nights/ 14 Days. Cost: AU$5,945.00 per person, twin share. Upgrades: Airfares, land-only options, and single supplements available. To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit of AU$500 per person is required. Contact for further information and booking: johanne@ettravel.com.au; (02)9232 1711 or for information, Fr Michael Kelly: mkelly@silvestrini.org; 0455 329 607.
