News & Events Weekly Update

For all your News & Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond

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 Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata accompanied by a 3.7m high wooden Mercy Cross are on a pilgrimage through the Diocese of Parramatta.

On Saturday 24 September there will be a Way of Mercy Regional Celebration at Glenbrook Parish, including the parishes of Emu Plains, Glenmore Park and Luddenham-Warragamba.

Commences at 3.30pm at St Finbar’s Church, 47 Levy Street, Glenbrook. Concludes with 9.30am Mass on Sunday 25 September. For more information tel (02)  4739 8928.

To find out more about the Way of Mercy and dates when the Mercy Cross and Relics are coming to a parish near you, click here or send an email to the Pastoral Planning Office.

RCIA 2016 – Foundations and Pathways with Nick Wagner: 24 September

The Office for Worship will be hosting Nick Wagner, author and producer of TEAMRCIA USA, for one day at Parramatta. All parish RCIA teams and those who want to learn more about the RCIA process are invited to attend this conference. From 9am-3pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral Precinct, 1 Marist Plc, Parramatta. Cost: $50 parish team (five members); $20 individuals. To register your parish team or as an individual, send an email to the Office for Worship or tel (02) 8838 3456.

Social Justice Sunday: 25 September

In Australia, we celebrate Social Justice Sunday on 25 September. This year, the Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement is entitled, A Place at the Table: Social justice in an ageing society. The statement celebrates the value and dignity of older people in Australian life. It challenges us to recognise their significant contribution to society and emphasises that this contribution should not be valued in mere economic terms. The statement calls for justice for those who are most vulnerable and warns about a view of older people as burdensome or dispensable.

The Diocese of Parramatta launch by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv will take place at Sacred Heart Parish, 18 Inconstant St, Blackheath, commencing with Mass at 9.30am followed by a cuppa and the launch from 11am-noon. To order copies of the statement and to downloaded free resources prepared by the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, tel (02) 8306 3499 or visit: www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au

Meet the Catenians

Strengthening the spiritual and social lives of Catholic men through faith-based friendship. Visitors are made welcome at:

Castle Hill Circle, 7pm on the 4th Tuesday each month, St Joseph’s Conference Centre, MacKillop Drive, Baulkham Hills. Contact: Peter Huby 0411 394 844.

City of Parramatta Circle, 7pm on the 3rd Thursday each month, Lachlan’s at Old Government House, Parramatta Park. Contact: Michael Tan mgtan@tpg.com.au

Come and See – Campion College: 5 October

Campion College invites Year 11 and 12 students to experience a day in the life of a Liberal Arts student. Meet the students – Attend a lecture – Explore the campus. Come and see what a Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts can do for your future! From noon-4.30pm (lunch provided) at Campion College, Old Toongabbie. See website for program details and registration: www.campion.edu.au

Mount St Benedict’s Pennant Hills Reunion: 8 October

Bennie’s Girls Class of ’76 (or ’74 if you got out earlier). Class reunion on 8 October 2016. Please contact Ann Jackson tel 0407 236 724. Beth Mees tel 0408 416 174.

Praying with Poetry: 8 October

Facilitator: Glenda Bourke SGS. Share ways in which poetry can lead to prayer by exploring the thoughts, feelings & experiences in selected poems, as well as their images, rhythms & capacity to surprise. There will be time for quiet reflection. Participants are invited to bring along a favourite poem to share. From 10am-3.30pm at the Mount St Benedict Centre, 449D Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills (entrance off Hull Rd). Cost: $25. Book by 3 October: tel (02) 9484 6208, mtstbenedict@bigpond.com

Retirement Planning Seminar: 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.

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.

Domremy College Five Dock Class of ’76 – 40 Year Reunion: 15 October

Come and reminisce about our Domremy days and please spread the word. From noon at the Metropolitan Hotel, cnr Bridge & George Streets, Sydney. Food and drink at own expense. For further information, please send an email to Maree Collis (nee Burling).

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.

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 Mother Teresa’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

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

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

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