News and Events across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond
Diocese of Parramatta Notices
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
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.
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.
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. Significant subsidies on child care fees 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
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
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.
Bishop Vincent Edmund Rice Centre Webinar: 19 August
Join Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv as he addresses the climate emergency in the Pacific and how Australia should respond during an online webinar on Wednesday 19 August from 6.30pm to 8pm. The webinar, hosted by the Edmund Rice Centre, will also feature the former President of Kiribati. Registrations are essential, so please visit https://www.erc.org.au/events to receive the link to the webinar.
CEDP Safeguarding eSafety Commissioner Webinar: 20 August
Catholic Education and the Office for Safeguarding and Professional Standards are partnering with the eSafety Commissioner for a series of free webinars for parents and carers. The first session, ‘Helping Kids Thrive Online’ (for children aged 5-12 years) will be held on Thursday 20 August from 12pm to 1pm. To register, please visit bit.ly/30fPU4F. For more information, please contact safeguarding@parra.catholic.edu.au or visit https://safeguarding.org.au/prevention-education-and-training/
CEDP Safeguarding eSafety Commissioner Webinar: 7 September
Catholic Education and the Office for Safeguarding and Professional Standards are partnering with the eSafety Commissioner for a series of free webinars for parents and carers. The second session, ‘Tech, teens and time online’ (for secondary students) will be held on Monday 7 September from 7pm to 8pm. To register, please visit bit.ly/39EtexJ. For more information, please contact safeguarding@parra.catholic.edu.au or visit https://safeguarding.org.au/prevention-education-and-training/
Office For Worship RCIA Workshops: 14 September – 19 October
The Office For Worship will be running RCIA workshops for RCIA coordinators & teams and anyone who might be interested in understanding the RCIA process. The workshops will run with limited numbers due to social distancing measures on Monday evenings from 14 September to 19 October at the Institute For Mission, Blacktown. To RSVP by 7 September, or if you would like more information, please contact the Office for Worship on 02 8838 3456 or anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org.
Life, Marriage and Family Office Pre-Marriage Weekends: 18 and 20 September
The Life, Marriage and Family Office will host another pre-marriage education course on the weekend of the 18 and 20 September 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.
Other Notices
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.
ACBC Social Justice Statement 2020-21
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the mental health of many members of our parishes, schools and communities. In the Social Justice Statement 2020-21, To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today, the Bishops invite us all to reject stigmatisation and to call for policies and service provision that meets the needs of the poorest and most marginalised members of our community. Download the Statement at http://bit.ly/SocialJustice_2020
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.
54-Day Rosary Novena for the Coronavirus
The National Rosary Crusade 54-Day Novena invites you to join them in prayer for a nation-wide 54-day rosary novena to Mary Help of Christians, the national patroness. The novenas will be run between 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption through to 7 October, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page.
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.
