Installation of Bishop Anthony Fisher
as Third Bishop of Parramatta
Thursday, March 4th 2010 at 7.30pm

Bishop Anthony Fisher will be installed as the Third Bishop of Parramatta on 4 March. This is obviously a Diocesan event. Entry to the Cathedral for the Reception and Installation Mass will be by invitation only.

Parish Representatives
Two parishioners from each parish will be able to join in the Installation and for the Supper that follows afterwards. To select the Cathedral Parish’s representatives at this important celebration, I have decided that due to the large number of parishioners wanting to attend this important event, names will be placed in a hat and the first two parishioners whose names are drawn out of the hat will represent the Cathedral parish. Should you wish to be considered for selection, please submit your name to the Parish Secretary by e-mail, by phone or by mail. Closing date is 5pm Thursday, 11th February.

General Invitation
Bishop Anthony also wishes to extend a general invitation to others wishing to attend. Whilst seating will be restricted in the Cathedral proper, there will also be seating in the Cloister area which will be covered. There will be a large screen in the area where the ceremony will be heard and seen. People who wish to attend should arrive by 6.45pm.

Arrangements are underway for live streaming of the Liturgical reception and Installation Mass. Further details later.

Volunteers to assist as Ushers
Volunteers are needed to be ushers at Bishop Fisher’s Installation Mass. Please contact Sr Susan on 8839 8412 should you wish to help. I regret that being a volunteer will not give you admission to the Cathedral for the Installation.

Bishop Anthony in the Parish on Weekend of March 13-14
On the weekend on 13-14 March, Bishop Anthony will be at all Sunday Masses—either before, during or after—to greet and meet his parishioners. This will be the best opportunity to greet our new Parish priest.

Fr Wim Hoekstra, Dean

St Paul’s World - A Pilgrimage to Turkey

Fr Wim is planning another Pilgrimage to Turkey commencing on Saturday, 25th September to Sunday 10th October. Please click here to download the details.

There will be an Information Evening on Tuesday, 9th March 2010 at 7.30pm in the Cathedral Hall.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The RCIA is an active process through which people desiring to become Catholic are provided with an opportunity to explore their longing for Christianity and if it is appropriate to be Initiated into the Catholic Church. Adult who wish to become Catholic receive the three sacraments of Initiation usually at the Easter Vigil.. These Sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Vatican II said that RCIA should be the proper way of initiating adults.

The main focus of the RCIA is Liturgy, Catechesis and Community membership:

1. Liturgical - reflecting on the Scriptures and praying and developing an understanding of the Liturgy.
2. Catechetical - the sharing of the doctrine and traditions of the Catholic Faith.
3. Community membership - members of the Faith Community interact with the Catechumens through reflection and participation in sharing and prayer.

RCIA is about Formation- it is about allowing the interested person to explore their initial desire and then to make a commitment to the Process.

At St Patrick’s Cathedral we seek to be a presence and support to those who express interest in becoming Catholic. We want them to have a love of the Church so that they will become active members of our Faith Community.

Our Catechumens are provided with an opportunity to move through the various processes to the point of their Initiation, most often at the Easter Vigil.

At Parramatta we meet for about an hour each week on Monday nights at 7.00pm.

We need people to join the RCIA team as members. We also need some committed people to sponsor some of our present Catechumenate group. Please contact Kerry (8839 8415) or Sr. Susan (8839 8412).

Reflections, Catholic Calendar

• Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), 6 - 7 February 2010
• Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), 30 - 31 January 2010
• Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), 23 - 24 January 2010
• Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), 16 - 17 January 2010

Ministry Roster Feb - Mar

Please click here to download the Ministry Roster from February to March 2010.

Novena to Mary Full of Grace

The next monthly Novena Prayer will be held

on 18th February 2010
Where: Blessed Sacrament Chapel
Time: 7.30pm

Pick up info leaflet in the Cathedral’s entrance OR contact Silvana on 0421 634 279 (anytime) srechich@bigpond.net.au

Lenten discussion groups

These will commence around Ash Wednesday, and groups are currently planned for a home group on Monday nights, with the possibility of a weekend group. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to join a group. (8839 8411)

CCD Ministry in our parish for 2010

The first meeting for the school year for SREs in our Parish will be held in the small hall on Friday 12th February, commencing at 10.30am. We invite all parishioners to pray for this dedicated group of men an women who carry our Catholic Faith to the children in the State Schools of our parish.

Special Religious Education—Scripture in our State Schools

As the year begins we find ourselves in need of some assistance with teaching RE in our state schools—Parramatta North, Oatlands, Parramatta and Parramatta East.

We would particularly ask if any young people—students at University esp. in the teaching area, might have some time available weekly to assist us with this task, esp once they know their timetable.

Of course this is open to anyone who has some time has some spare time on their hands, now that their children are all at school or have moved out. Please contact Sr Susan on 8839 8412 if you can help.

Date claimer - Saturday, 13th March

Mark the date of 13th March on your calendar!

Here at St Pat’s we will be celebrating our special feast day after the Saturday vigil Mass with a BBQ. More information closer to the day.

Mums and pre-schoolers

Do you have a pre-school child?
What do you do on TUESDAY morning?

The opportunity exists for you to spend a couple of hours with other mums and pre-school children in our parish hall. Why not give Claire a call on 9686 8380 and have chat? Perhaps this is the inexpensive way of entertaining your toddler that you’ve been looking for.

Christmas party photos

Click the links below to view or download photos taken during the Parish Christmas party.