Couple Evening: 28 October
Everyone is 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
Position vacant: Administrative Assistant
The Regional Tribunal of Sydney (NSW & ACT) is seeking to appoint an experienced Administrative Assistant. The Regional Tribunal of Sydney processes applications for nullity of marriage (annulment) cases. The Administrative Assistant is responsible for providing administrative and secretarial support to the Judicial Vicar and the local offices throughout NSW in the smooth running and daily activities of the Regional Tribunal. This part-time role is for three days per week. The office is located in Parramatta. For more information click here or tel (02) 9630 6260. Applications, including CV, should be addressed to: The Judicial Vicar, Regional Tribunal of Sydney (NSW & ACT), PO Box 2576, North Parramatta, NSW, 1750. Applications close 28 October 2016.
A Retreat for Men of all Ages: Myself – The Adventure: 29-30 October
With the Schoenstatt Brothers4Soul Team: Knowing myself deeply, Discovering the person that God created me to be, Obstacles on the journey, Profound trust in the Lord with Mary. Cost: $150 all inclusive, twin share. At Mt Schoenstatt, 230 Fairlight Rd, Mulgoa. RSVP Jim 0432 487 927, jim.jank2006@optusnet.com.au
Grace & Silence Retreat Day for Young Women: 29 October
Program: 9am-4pm for General Retreat Day, 9.30am-4pm for Vocation Discernment to Marriage & Family, Single Life or Consecrated Life. Cost: $30 includes morning tea, warm lunch, afternoon tea and materials. To register or for more information contact Sr M Julie: juliebrcar@gmail.com or tel 0408 738 334.
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 for an evening in the South Seas. 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.
The Way of Mercy in October & November 2016
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 Mercy Cross are on a pilgrimage through the Diocese of Parramatta.
30-31 October: 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: Pilgrimage at Mt Schoenstatt. Friday: 6pm-10pm adoration and reflection in the Shrine. Saturday: 9am Stations of Mercy from the Valley 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. Bring your parish group, family and friends to the Holy Door of Mercy, which closes on 13 Nov. 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.
13 November: hosted by St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta, with St Monica’s Parish, North Parramatta; St Bernadette’s Parish, Dundas Valley; Christ the King Parish, North Rocks; and Holy Name of Mary Parish, Rydalmere. Bishop Vincent Long will close the Holy Doors in the Diocese of Parramatta: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Shrine of the Holy Innocents at Kellyville, Schoenstatt Shrine at Mulgoa and Polish War Memorial Chapel at Marayong.
13 November Program: Way of Mercy ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral starting at 4.30pm with the closing of the Holy Door at the 6pm Mass. A sausage sizzle follows Mass with proceeds going to Arrupe Place, a drop-in centre for newly arrived Australians run by Jesuit Refugee Service Australia.
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.
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
Natural Fertility Services – provides Natural Family Planning instruction
Daytime and evening appointments available. Choose the method that suits you: Billings Ovulation Method®, The Sympto Thermal Method or CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare™ System. Contact the Life, Marriage & Family Office, Diocese of Parramatta, tel (02) 8838 3460, cbourne@parra.catholic.org.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 3457 or send an email to MLWalsh@parra.catholic.org.au
Discover Retreat for Young Women: 4-6 November
A self-discovery weekend for young women aged 18-35 at Mt Schoenstatt. Come and discover your dignity, identity and personal mission. From 7.30pm on Friday to 5pm on Sunday. Cost: student $180, employed $200 – sponsorship available. Mt Schoenstatt Spirituality Centre, 230 Fairlight Rd, Mulgoa. To register or for more information contact Sr M Julie: juliebrcar@gmail.com or tel 0408 738 334.
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 , 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.
Holy Hour for Vocations: 17 November
Everyone is welcome to join the Holy Hour for Vocations from 7pm-8pm for an hour of adoration, prayer, music and quiet time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta. To find out more about priesthood contact Fr Warren Edwards, Director of Priestly Vocations, vocations@parra.catholic.org.au
‘Waiting for Gabriel’ Seminar for Couples Hoping to Conceive: 20 November
Location: Diocesan Assembly Centre (attached to Institute for Mission building), 1-5 Marion St, Blacktown. From 1.30pm-4pm. Hosted by Life, Marriage & Family Office, Diocese of Parramatta, tel (02) 8838 3441, lmf@parra.catholic.org.au
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. St Benedict’s Monastery, 121 Arcadia Road, Arcadia. For more information, click here. Bookings: acmcmeditatio@gmail.com
Reflection Day for Women: Advent – a Season of Hope: 26 November
Presenter: Sr Mary Louise Walsh ISSM. From 9.30am-3pm at Mt Schoenstatt, Fairlight Rd, Mulgoa. Cost: $25, BYO lunch – morning & afternoon tea provided. To register tel (02) 4773 8338, info@schoenstatt.org.au
ACU Advent Lessons and Carols: 28 November
Led by the ACU Strathfield Student Choir. Starts 6pm, followed by light refreshments. Barron Memorial Chapel, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield Campus, 25A Barker Rd, Strathfield. Details: tel (02) 9701 4223, AVC.NSW-ACT@acu.edu.au
Scripture Reflection Evening – The Gospel of Matthew: 30 November
The Institute for Mission is hosting a Bible study evening led by Dr Michele Connolly RSJ. Sr Michele is a biblical studies lecturer at the Catholic Institute of Sydney and will be opening up for us the Gospel of Matthew in preparation for the upcoming advent season and liturgical year. This evening will be a great start to the next step in our worship cycle. From 7pm-9pm at the IFM, 1-5 Marion St, Blacktown. RSVP by 25 November: charbel.dib@ifm.org.au
Trip to Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, Sutton Forest: 6 December
You are invited to join the Sacred Heart Parish community for a day trip that includes coach travel, morning tea, self-guided tour of the grounds and shrines. BYO picnic lunch. Departs 9.30am from Sacred Heart Parish, 14 Ralph St, Westmead, returns approx 4pm. Cost: $15pp. Bookings close: 29 November. Tel (02) 9635 9262, office@sacredheartwestmead.com.au
