Charitable Works Fund Appeal
November 2024 CWF Appeal – 2 and 3 November.
Help keep alive vital ministries of the Church in service to those who need it most. In hospitals, churches, schools, communities and families, your donation is making our world a loving, caring and compassionate place.
Donate at: https://www.ourfaithourworks.
Give generously. Your tax deductible gift changes lives. Thank you!
Parishes will also find resources including a poster and social tiles here for downloading: www.ourfaithourworks.org/
CWF Appeal (May, August, November)
In this week’s edition:
Nominate your Parish Hero!
Divine Retreat Centre - November Retreat Schedule
Located around one hour's drive north of Sydney in Somersby, the centre offers several one-day and weekend retreats throughout November. Parishes are invited to share the upcoming Retreat Schedule.
Annual Lourdes Day Mass
The Order of Malta's annual Lourdes Day Mass at St Mary's Cathedral is celebrated for the intentions of all Catholic families. Those needing physical or spiritual healing and support are particularly encouraged to participate and receive a bottle of water from the Lourdes shrine. All those in attendance will receive a blessing for good health.
DATE AND TIME: Saturday, 7 December 2024 at 11 am
VENUE: St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney
Download the flyer to promote in your parish.
Mass for Expectant Mothers
Are you expecting a child? Come and celebrate the joy and anticipation of new life at the annual Mass for Expectant Mothers, celebrated by Bishop Umbers. Refreshments will be provided.
DATES: Sunday 8th December
TIME: 10am Mass
VENUE: St Joachim’s Lidcombe,
Please register for catering purposes: https://www.
Download the tile to promote in your bulletin. Download the flyer to promote in your parish.
Twilight Advent Retreat (Be Open to the Word)
When: December 4, Tuesday; from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Christmas At The Cathedral 2024
We invite the community of Sydney to come together at St Mary's Cathedral during Advent to prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Download the flyer to promote Christmas at the Cathedral in your parish
iWitness Conference 2024 on the 12th - 15th December 2024 in Cobbity, Sydney.
iWitness is an incredible Catholic conference which has been changing the lives of young adult Catholics in Sydney (18-35 years old) since it was started after World Youth Day in 2008. iWitness is an incredible place to make Catholic friends from all over Sydney, go deeper in one's faith and have a great time doing so.
If possible, I'm seeking your assistance in promoting the conference to young adults with your parishes (via the bulletin, personal recommendations, passing it on to whom may be interested). I realise there's lots of events going on, but I personally can guarantee this is worth it and a great way to enrich the lives of any young adults you know. We also have physical materials (flyers and cards) which we can give to the parish to be distributed. We've also provided digital copies of our flyer attached to this email for your use.
We also understand that the price of the conference may be steep for some young people who would like to attend. If you know of any individuals who would really benefit from the conference but aren't able to afford it or anyone would like to sponsor a young adult to attend the conference please let us know.
If you would like us to assist with arranging someone to come to speak about the conference after Masses or at a young adults group please let us know.
If you're looking for more information, linked below is our website (with tickets, past talk videos and more information) and a video made by a friend of iWitness. We are also on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram found by searching iWitness Australia.
The Theology of the Body (TOB) Institute and the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney are excited to announce that
REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
for the next not-to-be-missed in-person immersion course experience!
'The Writings of St John Paul II: on Gender, Marriage and Family' 19 to 24 January, 2025
At a time of great concern and confusion over the dignity of the creation of male and female, the sacred union of husband and wife and the life-giving beauty of family, now more than ever the Lord calls us to be witnesses to the Gospel.
The timeless wisdom of St John Paul II is needed for such a time as this. Come be inspired, formed, healed, and equipped to give an account of the hope that is in you.
If you received a message in your heart from any TOB events, are interested in learning more about TOB, or feel you need to hear this transformative message, we strongly encourage you to register for this upcoming course in January 2025.
Download the prospectus for more information
Registrations open till 1 December
trybooking.com/CTJWO
‘Writings of St John Paul II on Gender, Marriage and Family’ Immersion Course
Are you looking for a message of hope and healing in a time of confusion?
In partnership with the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation and the Theology of the Body Institute, the Archdiocese of Sydney is proud to announce once again that we will be hosting another not-to-be-missed 5-day immersion course experience: ‘The Writings of John Paul II on Gender, Marriage and Family’ is now OPEN FOR REGISTRATIONS!
At a time of great concern and confusion over the dignity of the creation of male and female, the sacred union of husband and wife, and the life-giving beauty of family, the Lord calls us to witness the Gospel now more than ever. If you are interested in learning more about TOB or feel you need to hear this transformative message, we strongly encourage you to register for this upcoming course in January 2025. The course will be held at the beautiful Benedict XVI Retreat Centre in Grose Vale, NSW.
DATES: Sunday, 19 January to Friday, 24 January 2025
VENUE: Benedict XVI Retreat Centre in Grose Vale, NSW
To register and learn more about the course, please visit: tobi.sydneycatholic.org
For further questions, contact Simon Yeak at simon.yeak@sydneycatholic.
Download the flyer to promote in your parish.
Divine Retreat Centre: Residential Retreats 2024
Hello everyone, further to my email below, there has been a change in date for the Jubilee Tour 2025 (Pilgrim of Hope tour).
New dates are now:
15 May to 3 June.
Your collaboration in advertising and promoting the tour with your church and parishioners would be greatly appreciated.
If you believe there would be an interest in this tour and would like to discuss further, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 1300 969 704 or 0414 295 367.
Dear parish
This is Laura DI LEVA again.
I’m a travel agent specialising in religious/holy sites tours to Europe. I have been a travel agent for the past 20 years conducting many tours overseas.
I’m reaching out to you in the hope of creating a mutual relationship and offering my services which may be of interest to your parishioners.
Each year, I take pilgrims on many tours, primarily to Marian sites. In May 2023, I took a devoted group of 40 parishioners to the Marian sites in Europe and Medjugorje. Following the success of this tour, a new tour for June 2025 is planned in celebration of the Holy Jubilee. The tour takes us to Marian sites in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. The tour will be accompanied by Fr Pasquale Pizzoferro from St John Vianney & St Thomas More, Greenacre.
Details of the tour are provided in the attached poster/flyer.
Full details of the tour are also attached. If you require additional information or have further questions, you can contact me direct.
I believe it’s a great tour and represents good value for money given the inclusions (airfares, transport, meals, entry fees and taxes etc…).
Your collaboration in advertising and promoting the tour with your church and parishioners would be greatly appreciated.
This tour as it takes us to amazing places where our spiritual affirmations are confirmed.
If you believe there would be an interest in this tour and would like to discuss further, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 1300 969 704 or 0414 295 367.
HOLY SPIRIT PILGRIMAGE(2025): Join Fr.
Sydney to Host the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028
At the recent 53rd International Eucharistic Congress in Quito Ecuador, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Papal Legate, announced what the Church of Sydney had been hoping for: that we will host the 54th International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, 100 years since Sydney last hosted this great event and twenty years since it hosted World Youth Day.
To find out more about IEC 2028, visit http://iec2028.org and join our mailing list to receive future updates.
Dear Parishes and friends of Caritas in the Archdiocese of Sydney,
For the month of November, we would appreciate you support in promoting our Lebanon Crisis Appeal and our Christmas Global Gifts with your community. We are also pleased to share our free Advent resource for parishes which is available to download.
Lebanon Crisis Appeal
You will have seen the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East is now having a devastating impact in Lebanon, compounding the struggles of a country already in a severe economic crisis. The situation is dire, and we need your help.
4 things you can do to show your Love for Lebanon:
Set up a fundraiser: Click on the link below to set up your parish’s fundraising page and start collecting donations with ease. Use the QR code around your parish community and collectively see how much your community is raising.
Set up: bit.ly/caritas-lebanoncrisis
Promote our Lebanon Crisis Appeal in your parish bulletin and on your socials/website. Download: Parish Bulletin
Raise awareness at Mass or in your parish groups with this brief PowerPoint
If you need any help setting up a fundraiser, or if we can answer any questions, please give us a call on (02) 7254 5120 or send us an email at [email protected]
Caritas Australia’s Global Gifts
When you download the Parish Bulletin zip folder for November you will find information, an image and a QR code to share. The Global Gifts poster is also included for you to print and display. Download: Parish Bulletin
Thank you once again for your ongoing support of Caritas Australia.
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CatholicCare - Enrich Your Marriage
Invest in the most important partnership of your life!
CatholicCare Sydney offers marriage education and relationship enrichment for couples, paving the way for a happy future.
Professional educators apply proven methods to deepen the connection between couples already in a marriage AND for those preparing for a sacramental marriage.
Courses are online or available in-person. Reach out to the friendly team at CatholicCare Sydney for more information.
Call 13 18 19 or visit Catholiccare.org
Download the tile to promote in your bulletin.
CatholicCare - Become a Disability Services Volunteer!
Are you passionate about helping your community and making a positive impact?
As a volunteer at CatholicCare Sydney, you’ll find the opportunity to build new experiences and make a difference in the lives of our friends with a Disability.
Gain experience & make new connections
Get support for your professional development
Contribute to your community
Our weekly volunteers dedicate a few hours per week to accompanying our participants on fun trips and activities. Connect with amazing people and feel the warmth of friendship with CatholicCare Sydney!
Apply to join our volunteer team. To find out more, contact Jacqui Willoughby on 0424 773 658 or email jacqui.willoughby@
Download the tile to promote in your bulletin.
CatholicCare - Financial Counselling
Are you wanting to take back control of your finances? Has gambling on poker machines or sports betting been getting in the way of your life?
Our Financial Counselling program may be for you, providing FREE and CONFIDENTIAL support to adults impacted by gambling harm, be it yourself or a loved one.
Our service helps those who are affected by all forms of gambling and provides support to impacted family members. Reach out to our team to access non-judgemental, impartial, and confidential support.
Call us on 13 18 19 or visit catholiccare.org/
Download the tile to promote in your bulletin.
Register Today for the FREE and Online Suicide Prevention for Seniors Training delivered by Anglicare.