Fr Kevin Manning was ordained on 21 December 1961 and began his ministry as a priest in the Diocese of Bathurst the following year.

Now, almost 50 years later, Bishop Kevin Manning is coming to the end of his time as the Bishop of Parramatta. As retirement beckons, he looks back on a lifetime of memories.

Born to a strong Catholic family in 1933 and raised during the post-Depression years in country NSW, young Kevin Manning learned the value of friendship and benevolence as struggling families banded together to survive.

"One of the things that struck me and will probably stay with me for the rest of my life was the incredible selflessness that was required because of the needs of people," he said.

"I can remember my grandfather catching a hare and we were looking forward to having a nice meal when grandma intervened and said there were people next door who were starving; we have to share it with them. So the hare was made into soup so that everyone could get something to eat."

Family has always been important to Bishop Kevin. His parents, Kevin and Edith, were his religious and moral educators, instilling in him a sense of duty and selflessness to serve others and God.

He would often run with his brothers as their grandfather, a professional runner, had done before them. The boys had been raised with a determination to achieve, which cultivated a healthy competitive spirit.

There are two significant experiences Bishop Kevin appreciates greatly. The first is the 13 years he spent working for the Catholic Bishops Conference National Secretariat, which he said gave him a wonderful insight into the inner workings of the Church.

The other was studying for the priesthood at Propaganda College in Rome where he worked with students and priests of 52 nationalities and learned what the international Church was about, developing a great love for the Church and her people.

There is also a sense of pride he reserves for God and Christ and for his unwavering devotion toward them even today.

Installed as the 2nd Bishop of Parramatta in 1997, Bishop Kevin would oversee many developments during his 12 years of service: the rebuilding of St Patrick's Cathedral; the reception of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon; and the continued growth of the Diocese to become the 5th largest in Australia.

While many will never forget the fire that destroyed St Patrick's Cathedral in 1996, Bishop Manning believes the experience of rebuilding the cathedral became a vital phase in the growth of the community.

Not only would the structure become a visual demonstration of faith through its new features (the altar, chapel and artwork); but it was a common goal that would unite the Diocese.

"We had some amazing efforts during that time and people got to know each other. By the time we'd finished the cathedral, the people were very much in touch with each other and began to see themselves as a Diocese."

The concept of unity has always been at the forefront of Bishop Kevin's plans, and he has spoken widely about the importance of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue.

"The fact is that we are all created by God, no matter what religion we are, or faith we are, and one day we are coming back to God."

With the rapid growth of media technologies and the declining interest, by younger generations, in religious observance, Bishop Kevin said the task for the new bishop would be to reclaim the youth.

However, with so many alternative distractions readily available ranging from electronic devices to celebrity magazines, it will be no small feat to sway their minds.

Bishop Kevin has worked tirelessly to help others from all walks of life. "To me, the essence of life has just been to do things as well as I can with the gifts I've been given in order to bring about the betterment of others."

When he retires on 4 March he plans to do a bit of bushwalking, spend time in private prayer, and occasionally fill in at the local church.

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