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'Priesthood is being a part of people's lives'

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Fr Eric Burton at St Patrick's Cathedral's 2010 Chrism Mass. Photo: Alphonsus Fok & Grace Lu.
By Viriginia Knight

Christ the King North Rocks Parish Priest Fr Eric Burton has celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination with members of the parish he has served for 40 of his years in priestly ministry.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1950, Fr Eric came to North Rocks as its first Parish Priest in 1970 - a role he has served in ever since.

A special Mass with parishioners, family and friends was held on 24 July to celebrate Fr Eric's milestone, as well as the 60th anniversaries of Fr Les Campion, Fr David Scott and Mons John Walsh (who were all ordained to the priesthood on the same day as Fr Eric), as well as Fr Stan Campbell and Fr Eugene Kenny, who were also ordained in 1950.

Bishop Kevin Manning, Emeritus Bishop of Parramatta, was the principal celebrant at the Mass. Bishop Bede Heather, the first Bishop of Parramatta, also concelebrated.

Fr Eric said the highlight of his priestly ministry has been celebrating the Mass and the sacraments with the people of God and endeavouring to meet the needs of the people in his parish.

"An important part of priesthood is being a part of people's lives, especially in caring for the sick and in the area of education," Fr Eric said.

For full story, see our Priests of Parramatta section.


Bishop blesses new Sacred Heart Primary learning area

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Bishop Anthony blesses Sacred Heart Primary's new learning area.
Bishop of Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, has blessed a new multi-purpose learning area at Sacred Heart Mount Druitt South Primary as part of the official opening of the facility.

Bishop Anthony was joined at the Blessing & Opening Ceremony by Federal Member for Chifley, The Hon Roger Price MP, Executive Director of Schools, Greg Whitby, Sacred Heart Parish Priest Fr Carl Ashton and the school's Principal Moya McGuiness.

For full story, see our News section.

Visit Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

Journey from genocide to forgiveness

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Immaculée Ilibagiza shares her story of courage with Theology on Tap.
By Amy Vierboom

When 1994 Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza stepped into PJ Gallagher’s Irish Pub in Parramatta, few in the 700-plus Theology on Tap crowd were prepared for the message she was about to deliver.

Immaculée was one of the few who escaped one of the most significant and horrifying cases of ethnic cleansing imaginable...yet she is today able to forgive the perpetrators.

Despite the pain and grief, her story is one of profound hope and ever-trusting faith. Her heartfelt desire to truly forgive, by the gift of God’s grace, those who were committing the atrocities all around her is a remarkable witness of faith.

For full story, see our News section.

Bishop Anthony Guest Speaker at next Theology on Tap


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Diocese of Parramatta Mary MacKillop Canonisation Celebration

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The Catholic Diocese of Parramatta will come together on the afternoon of Sunday 31 October to celebrate to the canonisation of Mary MacKillop.


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A prophet is only despised in his own country and in his own house,Matthew 13:54-58

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