News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Positions Vacant:
- Sacramental Coordinator (part-time) – Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown – Applications close Monday 21 December
- Parish Secretary – Sacred Heart Parish, Blackheath – Applications close 15 January 2021
More details at: parracatholic.org/employment
Diocese of Parramatta COVID-19 update
Parishes across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains have COVID-Safety plans in place requiring social distancing, maximum attendance figures and other safety measures. We also highly recommend wearing masks to Mass and other services. You are encouraged to check with your parish on what measures they have in place before attending. For more information, please visit the Diocesan website www.parracatholic.org/covid19
Welcome to The Well
The Diocese of Parramatta proudly announces its latest initiative – The Well. In what can be described as ‘Netflix for Catholics’, The Well is a new online platform that provides free, ‘on-demand’ inspiration for families, children, young people and faith communities. Explore fresh offerings every week on topical issues that inform, entertain and challenge. Check it out at www.thewell.org.au
Catholic Outlook Magazine Summer 2020/21 Edition
Catholic Outlook Summer edition is out now and free to all parishioners. Read about our amazing HSC students, the new bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral and how the new Vatican Ambassador who originates from Castle Hill is settling in. Plus what the symbols of Advent really mean. Pick up your free copy from your local Catholic Church, Catholic School or Catholic office today.
Christmas Mass and Reconciliation Times
Christmas Mass and Reconciliation Times from parishes across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are available now on our Diocesan website (www.parracatholic.org), on Catholic Outlook (www.catholicoutlook.org) and on our Diocesan social media channels. Merry Christmas from the Diocese of Parramatta.
Office for Worship Resources available
The Office For Worship has a range of resources available for purchase for individuals and parishes. Resources such as parent material for a child’s baptism and a collation of prayers can be purchased from the Office For Worship by contacting (02) 8838 3457.
Diocese of Parramatta Tribunal wraps up for 2020
The Tribunal of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Parramatta remains committed to assisting anyone who has questions regarding marriage annulments. The Tribunal Office will be unattended from 24 December until 11 January, but messages can be left on (02) 8838 3480 or email tribunal@parracatholic.org and they will be returned when the office re-opens.
St Bernadette’s Lalor Park Wednesday Evening Devotions
St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park, is hosting weekly devotions to Mary Immaculate and St Bernadette every Wednesday evening at 7pm, followed by Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome. For more information, contact the parish office on (02) 9672 4037 or admin@stbernadetteslalorpark.org.au
Social Justice COVID-19 Food and Toiletries Drive
Jesuit Refugee Service and House of Welcome are dealing with a 400% increase in emergency assistance calls and are needing to feed over 1,000 people facing destitution each week. You can help by running a food and toiletry drive or donating yourself. For more information, contact Patrice Moriarty 0409 399 505 or, House of Welcome office@houseofwelcome.com.au or JRS amelia.savage@jrs.org.au
Bishop’s Christmas Appeal
This Christmas, let us unite in demonstrating God’s unconditional love and keep families together. Your compassionate gifts and prayers will help CatholicCare’s Project Elizabeth to support vulnerable families to build strong, loving relationships. You can help give people like Sharen, Dale and baby Jackson the emotional and practical support they need to live their lives in love and joy. Please give generously to the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal: yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal
Life, Marriage and Family Office Marriage Preparation Courses
Dates for the Diocesan Life, Marriage and Family Office’s in-person marriage preparation weekend courses in 2021 are now available, with the SmartLoving Engaged Online course another option to prepare for your marriage. For more information, or to book your course, visit www.parracatholic.org/pmp or call (02) 8838 3460.
Office For Worship 2021 Liturgical Ministry Formation Course
The Office for Worship’s Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses will be held again in 2021 in early February. This is formation for anyone interested in serving in the Liturgical Ministries of Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Communion to the Sick and Dying and Ministers at the Altar at your parish. If you are interested or would like more information please contact the Office for Worship on (02) 8838 3456 or anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org.
The Epiphany Pilgrimage 2021
The Epiphany Pilgrimage is a not-for-profit event of the Diocese of Parramatta and outreach of the Blue Mountains Deanery. From 2 – 9 January, pilgrims walk through the beautiful Blue Mountains bushland and spend time in prayer and fellowship. Limited overnight registrations are available, and day walkers are welcome. For more information and to register, visit www.epiphanypilgrimage.org. To follow the journey see https://www.facebook.com/epiphanypilgrimage/
RCIA: Exploring the Scrutinies Workshop: 10 February
The Office For Worship will be running an RCIA workshop on the Scrutinies for RCIA coordinators and teams early next year on the evening of Wednesday 10 February at the Institute For Mission, Blacktown (IFM). If you are interested or would like more information please contact the Office for Worship on (02) 8838 3456 or anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org
Other Notices
Diocese of Broken Bay Office Space for Lease
The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay has Office space for lease in the Caroline Chisholm Centre in Pennant Hills. If your organisation is looking for a competitive price on Office Rental accommodation, please call Phil Greenwood on 02 8379 1671 or email Philip.greenwood@bbcatholic.org.au for more information.
Madonna magazine – a gift of spiritual sustenance that lasts a whole year
Madonna magazine, published by Jesuit Communications, is an ideal spiritual companion – containing daily prayers, deep reflections and faith-focused articles. We invite you to subscribe or consider taking out a gift subscription for a loved one for only $53 a year. You can find out more about Madonna, how to subscribe, purchase a gift subscription or donate a subscription on the website: www.madonnamagazine.com.au/article/subscriptions
Mt Schoenstatt Spirituality Centre is taking bookings for 2021
As a COVID-safe registered business, the Mt Schoenstatt Spirituality Centre, Mulgoa, is once again available for personal or small group bookings to discern and plan for what the future might look like. They have also begun taking bookings for 2021, with numbers set to increase as restrictions return to normal. For more information, please call (02) 4773 8338, email info@schoenstatt.org.au or visit www.schoenstatt.org.au
Vote to authorise The Sydney Statement
After numerous workshops and drafts over 18 months, Youth PoWR (Parliament of the World’s Religions) launched The Sydney Statement, a new charter for interfaith relations on Thursday 15 October. Young adults aged 18-35 from different religions are encouraged to vote for The Sydney Statement and to authorised its publication. Don’t miss out on this chance to transform interfaith relations in Sydney and beyond. Voting is online at http://bit.ly/33OLrHA
Hope for healing after an abortion
Rachel’s Vineyard Healing Ministries is offering three new online reflections to bring healing and hope to those who seek spiritual healing from grief and loss. Register at info@rachelsvineyard.org.au or call our confidential phoneline on 0400 092 555. Please mention you are registering for an online session. More details: rachelsvineyard.org.au
Summer Nights 2021: 11 – 13 and 14 – 16 January 2021
The Summer Schools of Evangelisations around Australia are hosting a program for young people aged 16 to 35 at the Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, in January 2021. The non-live-in outdoor event will feature Mass, prayer, music and talks and will run from 3pm to 9pm on 11 to 13 January and 14 to 16 January. For more information, visit summerschool.org.au/summernights
Ignatian Spirituality in a time of Engagement Conference: 25 – 27 January
Jesuit College of Spirituality and Newman College invite you to the ‘Ignatian Spirituality in a time of Engagement’ three-day online conference from 25 to 27 January. The full conference pass is $200, with a single day pass at $75 per day. Registrations are now open, so visit https://www.trybooking.com/BMYUO. For enquiries, please contact enquiries@jcs.edu.au or phone (03) 9448 8276.
Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend: 21 – 22 February 2021
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 21 – 22 February 2021 at St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills. For further information and to register, visit www.engagedencounter.org.au/
For more events please go to: parracatholic.org/events
Please note, some of these notices have been provided to the Diocese of Parramatta, with the request they be made available to parishes and parishioners. The Diocese of Parramatta makes these notices available for information purposes only and does not expressly endorse any of this material, unless otherwise specified. The Diocese of Parramatta cannot be held responsible for any inaccurate or defamatory content.