News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
Reopening of church buildings
Parishes across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are opening their doors for private prayer, Reconciliation and for the celebration of Mass and sacraments such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. Please contact your local parish to check the arrangements put in place.
Livestreamed Masses from across the Diocese of Parramatta are still available on the Diocesan website https://www.parracatholic.org/covid19/#online.
Catholic Outlook Magazine June Edition
The June edition of our quarterly print magazine, Catholic Outlook, has been suspended due to COVID-19. You are still able to read and access the digital version of Catholic Outlook via catholicoutlook.org and https://catholicoutlook.org/subscribe/. Once Government restrictions have been fully lifted, the print production of Catholic Outlook will resume, with the next edition scheduled for September 2020.
CatholicCare is still open and operational
CatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains services remain open and operational during the current COVID-19 outbreak. Individual offices have been closed to clients, but the service continues to operate with care and support offered via phone, video conferencing/telehealth and online. Some programs are continuing to run groups via video conference. To make a referral, call (02) 8843 2500 (Mon-Thu 8.30am-8pm, Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm), email – enquiries@ccss.org.au or visit ccss.org.au.
Life, Marriage and Family Office Pre-Marriage Weekends
The Life, Marriage and Family Office will recommence their pre-marriage education courses from the weekend of 24th and 26th July 2020. Social distancing and hygiene measures will be in place, with other arrangements to be made if government requirements change. To view course dates for the remainder of 2020 and to book and pay for your preferred pre-marriage course, visit www.parracatholic.org/pmp or call (02) 8838 3460.
Natural Fertility Services is still open
The Life, Marriage and Family Office is still open! Natural Fertility Services helps couples achieve and space pregnancy naturally! If you would like to learn Natural Family Planning, please contact Catherine to book your remote instruction via email catherine.bourne@parracatholic.org or call 0400 427 605.
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.
Alpha Online Prayer Ministry
Be part of prayer ministry for the team and participants of Alpha Online beginning 1 June. Alpha invites participants to explore the Christian faith in a friendly and comfortable environment. Alpha Prayer Ministers are invited to pray daily individually or as part of a weekly online prayer group. Visit https://www.parracatholic.org/alphaonline/ or call Lisa on 0448 652 720 to register or find out more.
Share your Good News Stories!
Thank you for all that you continue to do to share the love and peace of God. Our Pastoral Planning Office welcomes your good news stories of hope and encouragement during COVID-19 to share with parishes and communities across our Diocese. If you have a good news story to offer, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/goodnewsstory
Saturday Sessions
Join with others as we create community online to share and grow faith, every Saturday from 11am – 12pm with Saturday Sessions, hosted by the Pastoral Planning Office. Listen to the pre-recorded presentation about a topic of faith and then join an online group discussion via Zoom. Visit the Diocese of Parramatta’s Facebook page each week for details. Contact Lisa Bright on lisa.bright@parracatholic.org to join the mailing list to receive session information.
Catholic Youth Parramatta engaging young people in new ways
Catholic Youth Parramatta has established a dynamic schedule of networking opportunities, formation and resources to support ministry and engagement with young people of the Diocese in new ways. From inspiring quotes and scripture references on Mondays, to faith-filled live performances on Wednesday to launching new home-grown resources on Friday. Check out CYP’s Facebook and Instagram pages and https://www.parracatholic.org/cyp/ to download and share the resources.
Diocese of Parramatta Tribunal remains open
The Tribunal of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Parramatta remains open and committed to assisting anyone who has questions regarding marriage annulments. Please direct all enquires to the Tribunal office on 8838 3480 or email tribunal@parracatholic.org. The office is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.
Out of School Hours Care accepting enrolments
If you are adjusting to a new work routine and your normal care arrangements have been interrupted by COVID-19, the Diocese’s network of 27 Catholic Out of School Hours Care services are all open and accepting enrolments for children in Years K-6. With the Federal Government’s childcare relief package, the service is free for all families until 28 June 2020. For more information and bookings, please contact eyec@parra.catholic.edu.au
SRE learning from home
During the school shutdown, CCD designed some faith resources for families to access for their children as they learned from home. These lessons, which are fun and prepared specifically for each age group 5-13, are a good way to encourage children to converse about topics of faith at home. These lessons which affirm that they we are loved by God can be found at https://www.ccress.org.au/learning-from-home-sre-lessons/. For more information contact cecilia.zammit@parracatholic.org
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.
