Catholic Outlook October 2015

AROUND THE DIOCESE
A Source for Spiritual Nourishment of both Heart and Mind
By Elizabeth McFarlane
Mass celebrated on weekdays.
The store and chapel, 238 Church St, Parramatta. Photos: Elizabeth McFarlane.
As you walk down Church Street in
Parramatta and sidestep out of the way
of other shoppers, you’d be forgiven
for not noticing a quaint gift centre and chapel,
tucked in amongst the other shops.
As the rush for lunch begins, the hustle
and bustle is bound to disorientate many.
However, a growing number of workers in the
area are finding time during their lunchbreak to
attend Mass and peruse through the shelves of
devotional material on offer.
St Pauls Books & Gifts Centre publishes
and sells books, CDs, DVDs, devotional items,
and prayer cards for adults, teenagers and
children.
The centre is owned and operated by the
Society of St Paul, which was founded in 1914
by Fr James Alberione. In the Spirit of St Paul,
Fr James had a vision to utilise all media to
disseminate the message of salvation to all
people.
Fr Joselito Layug SSP, manager of the
centre, said that a lot of people come in to the
store for the small devotional items such as
rosaries, scapulars, chaplets and medallions
more than anything else, as well as to attend
Mass in the Chapel upstairs.
“The people who work in the area stop by
during their lunchbreak to buy religious articles
and attend Mass. We have about 50 people
attend Mass every day.
“A lot of the people hear about the centre
from their colleagues and friends. Good News
spreads like wild fire and word of mouth is the
most common way that people hear about us,”
Father explained.
Even though Parramatta Cathedral is just
950m away, many local workers are opting to
attend the Chapel for Mass, as it is closer to
their workplace, and other local shops and
businesses.
Maree Takchi, a catechist at Matthew Pearce
Public School in Baulkham Hills and member
of St Paul the Apostle Parish in Winston Hills,
said that she often buys her teaching material
from the centre. “They’ve got great things on
offer here – a lot of different things for children
and also adults.”
The centre is also a great place to visit
before religious occasions, as they provide a
wide variety of specialised gift items. Maree was
stocking up on religious gifts for her nephews
The centre has a wide range of Catholic books and gifts.
and nieces recently. “I’ve got Baptisms coming
up and I think it’s good to give something
religious for those occasions,” Maree explained.
When she is in the area, Maree likes to stop
by for Mass. In amidst the chaotic working
day, it is a place of quiet and adoration that can
really strengthen one’s relationship with God.
The resources showcased are opportunities
for new inspiration and can really recharge
spiritual batteries.
The Chapel is named after Saint Mary
of the Cross MacKillop, who is Australia’s
first officially recognised saint and patron of
the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta. Mary
MacKillop worked in the community, reaching
out to the poor to raise them up through the
service of education.
It is therefore fitting that the Chapel and
bookshop combine to be a source for spiritual
nourishment of both heart and mind.
Located at 238 Church Street, Parramatta,
the store seeks to serve the people of
Parramatta where they are present: in offices,
schools, and shops.
St Pauls Books and Gifts Centre
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 9.30am to
5pm; Saturday – 10am to 2pm.
Address: 238 Church St, Parramatta, almost
opposite Peter Wynn sports store.
Tel: (02) 9126 8912.
Email: bookcentreparra@stpauls.com.au
Orders: www.stpauls.com.au
Chapel of Saint Mary MacKillop
Mass: Celebrated at 1pm on weekdays.
Location: On the first floor of the St Pauls
Books and Gifts Centre, 238 Church St,
Parramatta
Catholic Diocese of Parramatta
THE
PERMANENT
DIACONATE
A God-given calling to ordained ministry,
open to married and single men
In the service of the Liturgy, the Word, and Charity
Catholic Diocese of Parramatta | www.parra.catholic.org.au
Inquiries to Rev Dr Arthur Bridge AM, Director of Vocations to the Permanent Diaconate
Tel 0411 289 954, arthurbridge@arsmusica.org.au PO Box 23, Toongabbie, NSW, 2146
18 CatholicOutlook | OCTOBER 2015
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic