News & Events Weekly Update

21 July 2020

 

News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond

 

Diocese of Parramatta Notices

 

Positions Vacant:

  • Head of People and Culture – CatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains – Applications close Tuesday 28 July

More details at: parracatholic.org/employment

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.

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

Following COVID-19 restrictions, Natural Fertility Services has reintroduced face-to-face instruction. We will, however, continue with Zoom meetings as this has enabled more couples access to information. We have educators available to teach any of the three methods of Natural Family Planning. If you would like more information, or to book an appointment, please contact Catherine 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.

Office for Worship Liturgical Ministry Formation Course

The Office For Worship’s Liturgical Ministry Formation course will recommence in August at both the Institute for Mission, Blacktown and St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith. Two workshops on Liturgical Ministry will also be provided in October at St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook. Note: due to restrictions there are limited places available. For more information, contact the Office for Worship on anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org

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.

Plenary Council Discernment Papers released

You are encouraged to take the discernment papers from the six national Plenary Council writing groups for your own discernment about how to bring to life a Christ-centred community in your area. These papers can be found at https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/continuing-the-journey-of-discernment/. The Pastoral Planning Office can accompany you in reflecting on these papers. Please contact pastoralplanning@parracatholic.org to discuss ways to engage with these discernment papers.

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

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 for Term 3. During the Term 2 school break, vacation care is available at 13 centres across the Diocese. Child care fees are being reintroduced from 13 July and significant subsidies are available depending on your family circumstances. 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

Project Compassion update

Due to COVID-19, Project Compassion has been extended and parishioners can bring their boxes or envelopes to parishes, or if they are unable, can contact 1800 024 413 or go to lent.caritas.org.au. A video message from Caritas Australia on how they are helping around the world can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk7AvhdL0lM. For any further support, please contact Patrice Moriarty 0409 399 505 or patrice.moriarty@parracatholic.org

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

Institute for Mission Reflective Ministry Program starts 18 August

The Institute for Mission’s Reflective Ministry Program (Word and Mission) is going ahead, occurring every Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm, starting on 18 August. Registrations to participate in the program online are still open, so please contact Sr Grace on grace.roclawska@ifm.org.au or visit https://www.ifm.org.au/reflective-ministry for more information.

Institute for Mission Scripture Reflection Night: 18 August

The Institute for Mission is hosting a free online scripture reflection night with Dr Laurie Woods on Tuesday 18 August at 7pm. The livestream will be hosted on the Institute for Mission’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/ifmconnect. Registration is not required.

 

Other Notices

 

Positions Vacant:

  • Principal – Ltyentye Apurte Catholic School, Santa Teresa, Northern Territory – Applications close Monday 10 August
  • Principal – Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School, Palmerston, Northern Territory – Applications close Monday 10 August

For more details, please visit https://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/employment/current-vacancies/

Divine Retreat Centre One Day Worship Pilgrimage: 26 July

The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, NSW is holding a one-day worship pilgrimage on Sunday 26 July. The retreat will include praise and worship, adoration, Way of the Cross and Mass. Please call 0468 486 782 or email drcsydney@gmail.com to confirm attendance. Visit www.divineretreatcentre.org.au for more information.

Catholic Engaged Encounter Marriage Preparation Weekend: 1-2 August

We are open for a face to face marriage preparation weekend on August 1-2 at St Joseph’s Retreat Centre, Baulkham Hills. Engaged Encounter provides you with deeper insights into each other and married life. Spend time together to strengthen and enrich your relationship. Further information and registration: www.engagedencounter.org.au

Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Online Women’s Retreat: 1 August

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth are inviting young women aged 18-35 to attend an online discernment retreat for women on 1 August from 4pm. The retreat will include a reflection and talk, a Q&A session and evening prayer. Registration is essential, as a link to the Zoom meeting will be provided. To RSVP, please contact Sr Paula on 0449 656 406 or vocationsscfn@gmail.com.

ACBC Catholic Men’s Gathering: 15 August

The ACBC National Catholic Men’s Gathering for 2020 is now being offered as an online event for registered participants. This modified program will be made available from 15 August and will be delivered in four pre-recorded sessions. The gathering is free and registration is available from 29 June. Visit www.catholicmensgathering.com.au for more information and registration.

St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre Staged Reopening

St Mary’s Retreat Centre in Douglas Park, NSW, is commencing a staged re-opening of its facilities from 3 August, as a lead up to their advertised retreat program commencing on 2 October. As places will be limited for the time being, all appointments and visits will need to be booked through the Administrator: contact@towersretreat.org.au or phone (02) 4630 0233.

 

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.

 

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