Parishes
Baulkham
Hills
St
Michael’s Parish
Rev Michael O’Callaghan
– Parish Priest
Catholic PresbyteryChapel Lane Baulkham Hills NSW 1755
Postal Address PO Box 702 Baulkham Hills NSW 1755
Ph: (02) 9639 0598 Fax: (02) 9639 8391
Email:
admin@stmichaelsbh.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: EST 5.30pm; DST 6.00pm Sunday: 8.00am; 10.00am; 6.00pm Daily: Monday - Friday: 9.15am Saturday: 9.00am
Children
Liturgy/ Mass Times
Youth Liturgy/ Mass
Times
Baptism
Marriage By appointment
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 9.30am – 10.30am
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: Its European history dates back to 1800 when land was granted to a group of settlers. In 1849, Archbishop Polding purchased some land and laid the foundation stone for a church dedicated to St Michael. It was 40 x 30 feet. It was extended in 1924, with stone from the 'fired ruins' of St Marys Cathedral. It served the parish, St Michael's orphanage and St Michael's School until july 27, 1980, when a new church was dedicated. The Sisters of Mercy, who came to Parramatta from Callan, Ireland in 1890, established a home for orphaned boys in a cottage opposite the church. They taught at the school, opened in 1971, until 1990. Over the years the parish has transformed from a semi-rural to suburban housing area with a steadily increasing population. The primary school now caters for more than 860 pupils and the 2001 census reported 7150 Catholics out of a total population of 21245, of whom 25% attend Mass each Sunday.
Baulkham Hills SouthOur Lady of Lourdes Parish
Rev Paul Slyney - Parish Priest
Catholic Presbytery1 Canyon Road, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153
Ph: (02) 9639 8385 Fax: (02) 9639 7090 Email: ololbhs@bigpond.com.au Website: www.ololbhs.com.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 7.30am; 9.30am; 6.00pm 11.00am (Korean) Daily: Monday - Friday: 9.15am
Children Liturgy/ Mass
Times
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 5.00pm –
5.30pm
Baptism
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising
& Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment & Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: Parishioners in the Baulkham Hills and Winston Hills area, were originally served from early in our history by the priests from Prospect. In 1849 a church was built at Windsor Road and Chapel Lane known as St Michael’s in the field. This Church served the Hills area. However as the population grew around the Cross Roads area (Seven Hills Rd and Windsor Rd) parishioners who travelled by public transport found it more convenient to travel to St Monica’s at North Parramatta which opened in 1889. St Monica’s served a very large area including Galston, Dural, Wentworthville, Castle Hill, Seven Hills, Baulkham Hills, Pennant Hills, North Rocks and Rouse Hill.
In 1951 a parishioner form Baulkham Hills suggested to Rev John Ferrari, the parish priest at St Monica’s, that many of the market gardeners from the Hills area would find it more convenient to attend mass if it could be celebrated closer to home in the School of Arts Hall at Baulkham Hills South, situated in Windsor Road opposite the present parish school (the School of Arts has since been demolished). Rev Ferrari agreed and on June 10, 1951 the first Mass was celebrated at Baulkham Hills South in the School of Arts.
The next parish priest at St Monica’s, Rev Roger Wynne, saw a great need for a church school at Baulkham Hills and in 1958 wisely purchased a brick cottage surrounded by large grounds in Canyon Rd and in the same year Archbishop James Carroll blessed the foundation stone of the first building for the Church School. He named it Our Lady of Lourdes in honour of the Centenary of the apparition of Our Lady at Lourdes.
On September 21, 1958 Cardinal Gilroy blessed and opened the building and congratulated the people of Baulkham Hills South on the successful completion of the first stage of their ambitious program. At this point the people of OLOL were still part of St Monica’s Parish and all major functions were still held at St Monica’s. It was not until January 29, 1963 that the Sisters of Mercy, Sr Mary Dunstan, Sr Rose Cassar and Sr Cecily Morgan came to the school and opened the first classes which included Kindergarten to Year 3. Mass was now held in the school and the School of Arts used for concerts and other social functions.
On October 1, 1969, Our Lady of Lourdes became a separate parish and Rev John Kelly was appointed parish priest. Rev Kelly worked very hard for the parish and one of his first goals was to increase the complement of teachers so that the children in Years 4 – 6 could return from St Monica’s to be taught at OLOL. This goal was achieved in 1971.
As the local population increased rapidly more school rooms were needed. The south wing school extension was added in 1971 and the north wing added in 1975. Much of the school building was done with the help of volunteers from the parish. Many stories are still told about these regular working bees.
After satisfying the needs of the school the next major project was the building of the Church. Once again this project involved the local parishioners who used their skill as builders and other trades who gave their time generously every Saturday at the working bees to build the church. Work commenced on the Church in mid 1978. Finally the Church was opened by Cardinal Freeman on August 3, 1980.
Rev Kelly was instrumental in helping to set up many of the groups still working actively in the parish. He was also a foundation member of the Gilroy College Board and actively supported the building of Gilroy College. Sadly, Rev Kelly died on the July 10, 1985.
Rev Theo Arrivoli was appointed as Parish Priest on October 1, 1985. He carried on the building work at the school. He also fostered other activities including Missions by the Redemptorists and Passionists, introduced the Renew program to the Parish, Lenten programs, spirituality courses for the laity and introduced Family Groups.
Deacon Brian was ordained in December 1991 and was appointed Parish Deacon from February 1992. Deacon Brian was also a Police Chaplain and as such was available to any member of the Police Service and their families in times of crisis.
Our Lady of Lourdes current parish team:- Rev Paul Slyney was appointed Parish Priest by Bishop Kevin Manning in early 1998 and shortly afterwards Fr. Paul was appointed Episcopal Vicar for Education in the Parramatta Diocese by Bishop Kevin Manning.
Deacon Joe was ordained in March 1991 and served 3 & 1/2 years at St. Bernadette's Church Lalor Park and then called to serve with Rev Paul Slyney at Our Lady of the Rosary St Mary's Parish before being transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes at Baulkham Hills South. Deacon Joe lectures with his wife Bette at pre-marriage courses and ministers as a Marriage Counsellor.
The new team faced a major undertaking in replacing the Parish Office, which had previously operating out of the old presbytery. The new Parish Centre was completed and operating by August 2001 and available to the many parish groups for use.
On March 1, 2004, Deacon Joseph Formosa was appointed to St Patrick's Cathedral. Deacon Robertus Kim was appointed to the parish on June 17, 2005.
In conclusion it can be seen that Our Lady of Lourdes Parish has a relatively short history on its own but it is a story full of personal involvement, community spirit and commitment to work for a goal.
Parish Boundaries: Old Northern
Road from corner of Edward Street to Seven Hills Road to Cropley Drive.
Cropley Drive to Junction Road to Bellotti Avenue to Churchill Drive to
Windsor Road. Windsor Road to Windermere Avenue to Darling Mills Creek
to Edward Street.
Blackheath
Sacred Heart Parish
Sr Lyn Eastmure OP - Pastoral Director Rev John Smith - Priest Supervisor of Pastoral Care (residence: Upper Blue Mountains Parish)
Parish House18 Inconstant Street, Blackheath NSW 2785
Ph: (02) 4787 8540 Fax: (02) 4787 6143
Email: shbheath2@bigpond.com
Website: http://www.keepersoftheflame.net/SacredHeartParish/index.html
Parish Mass Times: Sunday: 9.30am Daily: 1st Friday: 7.00pm (Mt Victoria)
Children Liturgy/ Mass
Times
Reconciliation Times: Sunday: Before Easter & Christmas; or by personal appointment
Baptism By appointment
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising
& Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment & Resources
Parish Publications
Parish History: It seems the spiritual needs of Catholics in the Blackheath area were ministered to as early as 1842 by priests from St Bernard’s, Hartley. This arrangement existed until 1890 when the Blue Mountains parish, centred in Katoomba, was established. It serviced the needs of the congregations of Blackheath, Mt Victoria and Megalong until 1943.
The Sacred Heart Church was opened and blessed by Cardinal Moran on Australia Day, 1902. In May 1943, a new Parish District with its centre at Blackheath was created. The newly appointed resident priest assumed responsibility for a rather large area including Blackheath, Mt Victoria, Megalong Valley and a church hall at Medlow Bath.
The Sisters of Mercy from Wilcannia –Forbes diocese opened a small school in Blackheath in 1912. A larger school and convent followed in the early 1940s, allowing the intake of boarders. This was closed in 1970 and the schoolhouse has recently been refurbished as a church hall.
In the early 1990s the steady decline in the numbers of clergy dictated the need for changes in the Blue Mountains. In 1993, two Sisters of Charity took up residence in the parish house and as a result of diocesan consultation, the parish continued without a resident pastor. These Sisters left at the end of 2002 and a Dominican Sister was appointed in 2003 and continues to help the parishioners run the parish. A roster of priests lead the community and many visitors in the Sunday Celebration of Eucharist. This is one of the few groups who don't mind being called 'heathens' as long as you put the 'Black' in front of it.
Includes: Sacred Heart Church: 18 Inconstant Street,
Blackheath
Visit Parish Website
BlacktownSt Patrick’s Parish
Rev Arthur Bridge AM OAM
-
Parish Priest
St Patrick’s Parish Centre51 – 59 Allawah Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
Ph: (02) 9622 1125 Fax: (02) 9671 6425 Email: stpatrick@ozemail.com.au Website: www.ozemail.com.au/~stpatrick
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil:
5.30pm Sunday: 7.00am; 8.30am;
10.00am; 5.30pm
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 9.30am – 10.00am
Children's
Liturgy/ Mass Times (The Little Miracles) Youth Liturgy/ Mass Times Baptism Marriage By appointment (six months notice) Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes Buildings, Equipment
& Resources Parish Publications Schools Parish History: The Catholic history of Blacktown started at Prospect Hill where free settlers had been farming since 1791. The small population built a church in 1856, which was officially blessed and named St Brigid by Archbishop Polding on July 27. A priest from Parramatta came to celebrate mass once a month and the church was also used as a school.
When the population moved to Blacktown station, due to work on the railway line, a Mr Fitzpatrick gave a generous donation of land (his backyard), bricks and money. St Patrick’s Church was built and blessed by Cardinal Moran on June 19, 1882. Monsignor Rigney, who retired as Parish Priest of Parramatta in 1889, was now Parish Priest of Prospect and Blacktown. When he died in 1903, St Patrick’s Parish again became an out-church of Parramatta. The Sisters of Mercy started teaching in Blacktown in 1919.
Rev Bernard Massey was appointed parish priest in 1946. He built a presbytery in 1947, a school-church in 1952, established the Patrician Brothers College the same year and built a church hall in 1956. He died suddenly in 1957 and was succeeded by Rev Hugh Law, who extended the church-school and divided the parish into seven parishes.
In 1979, Bishop Bede Heather became Parish Priest. In 1984 the land in Patrick Street was sold to establish a new parish centre in Allawah Street. On December 7, 1986 shortly after the establishment of the new Diocese of Parramatta, a new church in Allawah Street was officially blessed.
Blacktown SouthSt Michael’s Parish
Rev Kevin Dadswell - Parish Priest Rev Ranillo Creta
- Assistant Priest (Filipino Chaplain) Rev Roy Cabradilla - In Residence Rev Zakaria Gayed
- In Residence Catholic Presbytery58 Orwell Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
Ph: (02) 9622 9149 Fax: (02) 9622 4521 Email: stmicks@bigpond.com Website: www.stmichaels.server101.com
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil:
6.00pm Sunday: 8.00am; 9.30am; 6.00pm 4th Sunday: 10.45am (Filipino) Daily: Monday – Friday: 8.00am Wednesday: 7.30pm 1st Friday: 7.30pm
Youth Liturgy/ Mass
Times
Children Liturgy/ Mass
Times
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 4.00pm – 5.00pm Wednesday: 7.00pm – 7.25pm or by personal appointment
Baptism
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: The present parish church of St Michael’s, Blacktown South, is heir of the old St Brigid’s Chapel, Prospect, which was opened in 1856. Mass was celebrated there regularly for 119 years until 1975.
In 1960-61, Rev Hugh Law looked for land south of Blacktown. A lot in Reservoir Road answered the need for a new Blacktown High School, Primary School and in time, a Parish Church. Fr Law also purchased the Orwell Street end of the large lot, thinking it could be sold later on.
In 1962 the Sisters of Mercy commenced the St Michael’s School on the Reservoir site, with only an old army hut and the old school house. The following year the Presentation Sisters took over the school.
The coming to the parish of Rev Moseley in 1970 ushered in a decade of building development. On his arrival, the buildings of the parish consisted of a convent, pre-fabricated school classrooms, an old wooden house, a small cottage and a wooden church containing a tiny residence for a priest at the rear.
In 1976 the time had come for a new church. Generous donations of money and labour came forth. A feature of parish life at St Michael’s has always been the loyal co-operation and assistance of parishioners and parents. St Brigid’s Church was dismantled and its handmade sandstock bricks transported and cleaned in readiness for the new church oft St Michael. The church was solemnly dedicated by Cardinal Freeman on December 23, 1979. The historic bricks of St Brigid’s Church are prominent in the new church and the original 1856 altar stone is now set in to the new church altar.
In 1988 on the eve on the Assumption, the parish was shocked by the death of Fr Moseley. He died suddenly while on a sabbatical to write a book. Fr Kevin Dadswell was Administrator in the Parish at the time and was later appointed as Parish Priest and still is PP in 2008.
On December 2004, St Michael's celebrated its Silver Jubilee. Fr Sidney Moseley and Fr Kevin Dadswell, together with many dedicated parishioners, have given so much of their time and talents to ensure a solid foundation for the future. The rapid growth of Western Sydney has seen an amazing transformation in the parish of St Michael's.
Castle HillSt Bernadette’s Parish
Rev John
Boyle
- Parish Priest
Catholic Presbytery367 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill NSW 2154
Ph: (02) 9634 2622 Fax: (02) 9899 3511 Email: admin@stbernadette.org.au Website: www.stbernadette.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil:
6.00pm Daily: Monday , Tuesday: 6.45am Wednesday – Friday: 6.45am; 9.15am
1st
Friday: 12.00 noon
Children Liturgy/ Mass Times Sunday: 9.00am
Youth Liturgy/ Mass Times Sunday: 6.00pm (Lifeteen)
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 8.30am - 9.00am; 4.30pm - 5.30pm
Baptism By appointment
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: The history of St Bernadette's parish began in Baulkham Hills, in the year
1849. For "Ten Pounds of Lawful British Money", a contract
was signed and sealed for the purchase of one and a half acres of land
on the New Windsor Road, which was to be the site for the first St Michael's
Church. Catholic settlers, descendants
of free settlers and convicts who lived at Baulkham Hills, Irishtown
(Kellyville), Vinegar Hill (Rouse Hill) and Castle Hill held many meetings
and finally agreed to the above site as a place to build a church. For
many years Catholics in the Castle Hill area had to travel to Baulkham
Hills to attend mass. Although Castle Hill became a separate parish
in 1970, the real beginning was in 1947 during the administration of
Rev Keily, who recognised the future need for a parish in the Castle
Hill area. And opened a bank account for the area. Castle Hill parishioners
were delighted with this move and commenced fund raising in a most enthusiastic
manner supported by their Parish Priest Rev Joseph Walsh, came
to Baulkham Hills as administrator in 1956, being appointed Parish Priest
in 1958. Rev Walsh inaugurated the first gift-giving system in 1959
and built a presbytery at Castle Hill in that year. On completion of
the presbytery (now the parish house) Rev Walsh moved to Castle Hill.
On May 24, 1970 the old St Michael 's parish was divided. The new parish
of Castle Hill comprised Castle Hill, Dural, West Pennant Hills, Glenhaven
and Kenthurst. In 1972 the present parish church was built and blessed. In 1948 Arthur Meehan,
Pat Kavanagh, Ted Munro and Ambrose Roddy met at the home of Thelma
and Harry McMullen in Crane Road, Castle Hill to consider the purchase
of seven acres (2.83 hectares) of land on old Northern Road for 3,500
pounds ($7000) or a smaller area for 200 pounds ($400). They had to
settle for the smaller parcel of land. Though still in the parish
of St Michael's the first parish church-school in Castle Hill was built
in 1954 and opened June 17, by Cardinal Gilroy, Archbishop of Sydney.
The building was used as a church for two years becoming a church-school
in 1956 when the primary school opened. During the 1970's and 1980's
the population of Castle Hill parish continued to grow. It was decided
that the outer areas of the parish, Kenthurst, Annangrove, Dural and
Glenhaven needed more permanent pastoral care and Catholic primary and
secondary schools as present facilities at St Bemadette's were distant
and becoming overcrowded. The pastoral work of the parish increased
so much that an additional priest was appointed to assist Rev Walsh
until 1988. The parish continued to
grow even though St Madeleine's parish at Kenthurst had been established
in 1988. In 1988 about 6000 Catholics were in the parish; by 1998 the
number had grown to 1 1 000. Projections indicate the number could peak
at about 12 000 in 2000. Vacant land is fast being converted to housing,
with much of the recent housing development in West Pennant Hills, Oakhill
and the Knightsbridge Estates. That growth meant a second priest was still required and Rev Edward Sequeira was appointed Assistant Priest in 1989. When Fr Edward moved to another parish in 1990, Rev Paul Marshal was appointed as Assistant Priest and in 1994 Rev Andrew Robinson became our Assistant Priest. Rev Andrew was moved to another parish in 2000 and Rev John Hogan became our new Assistant Priest. On his appointment as Parish Priest of Richmond, Rev Eugene Szondi became Assistant Priest in February 2002. Rev Robert Sheridan was appointed first Deacon and then second Assistant Priest in October 2004, before moving on to another parish. In 1989 after 33 years
service to the parish, Rev Walsh retired. The Assistant Priest, Rev
David Maguire became Administrator of the parish until 1991 when Rev
Anderson was appointed Parish Priest. He served the parish for almost
two years before travelling to the USA for further study. Rev Anderson resigned as
Parish Priest in 1992 to continue his studies for a second year and
Rev David Maguire was then appointed Parish Priest in August 1993. Fr
David led the community till May 2002, when Rev Peter Confeggi took
over as administrator. On Rev Maguire’s resignation
as Parish Priest in November 2003, Bishop Manning appointed Rev Wim
Hoekstra as the new Parish priest of Castle Hill, effective from January
15, 2003. In 1993 two part-time Youth
Workers were appointed from the parish to administer and lead the youth
ministry. A full time Youth Worker began working for the parish in 1998,
and through his efforts and those of the young leaders in the community
the “Life Teen” programme has become the major focus of youth ministry
in the parish, culminating in the Life Teen Mass every Sunday evening
at 6 pm. The Sisters of Mercy at
Marymount Mercy Centre and the De La Salle Brothers from Oakhill College
have made a significant contribution to the life of the parish and the
parishioners over the years. The Christian Brothers cared for and taught
the hearing impaired children at St Gabriel's School for 70 years until
they moved in 1994. 1997 was a busy year in
the life of St Bernadette's parish. Substantial school rebuilding and
extensions were completed. The project was financed by the Catholic
Education Office. The school enrolment policy was revised to provide
a fairer means of determining the priority of applications by parents
wishing to enrol their children in the parish school. The parish acquired
three blocks of land on Old Northern Road adjoining the church-school
property. These were consolidated into one block, together with the
existing church property and developed into a parish carpark. A successful
parish Planned Giving Program was organised for the renovation of the
parish church and for carpark extensions. A Silver Jubilee Fundraising
Committee received over $170,00 in donations and funds from various
functions, and was used to purchase works of art for the renovated church
including the sculpture "Jesus With The Children", side stained
glass windows and doors and various marble stands. The Church was solemnly
dedicated by Bishop Kevin Manning, Bishop of Parramatta; on Sunday December
14, 1997. Today the parish continues to offer a wide variety of service groups and ministries, and a vibrant and exciting liturgy. 2005 was marked by a growth in parish groups.
CranebrookCorpus Christi Parish
Rev George O'Mara – Parish Priest
Location86 - 94 Andromeda Drive Cranebrook NSW 2749
Postal Address PO Box 21 Cranebrook NSW 2749
Ph: (02) 4730 1249 Fax: (02) 4729 2989 Email: parishteam@corpuschristi.org.au Website: www.corpuschristi.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday:
Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 7.30am; 9.30am Daily: Tuesday:
7.00pm
Children Liturgy/ Mass
Times
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 5.00pm & by appointment
Baptism By appointment
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: Cranebrook was until the late 70s and 80s, mainly farm blocks and part of St Nicholas of Myra, Penrith. At the beginning of 1982 the Mercy Sisters began their outreach work in the new area setting up open house in Seaton Crescent working with the youth and helping families. Sadly they moved on in 1988 after contributing a wonderful ministry.
Late in 1982, 35 adults and 52 children attended the first Mass, which was celebrated at Braddock. A community breakfast at the home of Geoff and Frances Barratt often followed.
In 1985, a Redemptorist, Rev Tom Ryan, was appointed by Rev John Grady to care for this new community. 1987 saw the arrival of the Franciscan Friars. This was a new stage in the growth of Corpus Christi. The Corpus Christi Parish Centre was opened in June 1987. During the five years of their ministry the friars worked at establishing Corpus Christi in order that it could become a parish in its own right. They developed a deep sense of care and belonging in the small but growing community and Parish status was achieved on February 1, 1992 when Rev Wim Hoekstra was appointed parish priest and remained until 1997 when he moved to Penrith parish.
In 1992 the Loreto Sisters joined the parish, with Sr Maria Welch becoming Pastoral Associate for the next seven years, assisted by Ms Sue Casey, a lay Franciscan. Both contributed enormously to the community spirit of the new parish along with foundation secretary, Clare Debono and voluntary Loreto Sister, Sr Eileen Riley.
Rev Paul Roberts (who had filled in for Fr Wim whilst he was temporarily called to Mt Druitt 1995-1996) was appointed parish priest in 1997 and Sr Rita Fitt, a Good Samaritan Sister was Pastoral Associate from1999 to 2004. The commitment and local knowledge of our Parish Secretary, Mrs Maree Cottee, since 2000, assisted in the gap left after Sr Rita moved on. After a long search during which Fr Paul was additionally appointed Director of Vocations for the Diocese the parish looks forward to welcoming Sr Merylin Browne as the new Pastoral Associate from February 2007.
The parish has two schools; a large vibrant primary school of 600 students, as well as Xavier College, a co-educational high school located nearby, which saw its first group completing the HSC in 2003. 2004 was a big year for Xavier College moving to its permanent site in Ninth Avenue, Llandilo, having lived its first five years in temporary accommodation on the parish site. Mrs Patricia Maidens, dynamic foundation and continuing principal, was supported by Mr Glenn Trefoni, foundation Assistant Principal until late 2005 when he was appointed to McCarthy College. Glenn's contribution will remain a special part of the fabric of our parish high school's history.
Our committed band of Catechists visit around 600 students per week in five surrounding State Schools. Senior students from Xavier College and St Dominic's College are vibrantly involved in Catechetics teaching in two of these schools. As at the close of 2006, Mr Greg Thomas has been our Parish Primary School Principal for four years following the wise and long leadership of Mrs Mary Cook and foundation Principal, Mercy Sister, Sr Mary Lorraine.
Parish worshipping levels took a boost from an average of 460 each week in 1996 to 750 in 2000. This level has thankfully held up at this rate until now in a time when some places have experienced decline. This is largely due to the blessing of the presence of young people choosing to commit to being part of the faith community. We frequently give thanks for the active participation of people from every age grouping across the whole span of life stages and delight in the many friendships forged between older and younger members of our parish. At the same time, the current Pastoral Council is deeply aware that so many in our suburbs do not have a place of rightful belonging in the Church and is reflecting seriously upon ways of creating an increased sense of encouragement and welcome.
The parish has significantly developed and deepened its understanding of and practical support of 'mission' in recent years and in a variety of expressions. Among the insight received from a recent parish survey was the practical faith/life motivation that many parishioners find in the parish mission statement we say together at the close of each weekend Mass and from which we judge all parish initiatives and activities:
"We, the people of Corpus Christi, seek to grow in living a Christ centred mission, sharing our gifts to foster welcome, justice and community in today's world."
DoonsideSt John Vianney Parish
Rev John O’Neill -
Parish Priest
Catholic Presbytery17 Cameron Street, Doonside NSW 2767
Ph: (02) 9622 3426 Fax: (02) 9622 3376
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.30pm Sunday: 7.30am; 9.30am Daily: Tuesday: 7.30pm Wednesday; Thursday: 9.15am Friday: 7.30pm Saturday: 9.00am Latin Missa Lecta: Sunday 11.00am
Monday - Friday: 6.30am
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 4.30pm – 5.00pm & after 9.00am Mass Wednesday: after Novena
Baptism
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Back to Parish List
Dundas ValleySt Bernadette’s Parish
Rev Christopher Sharah FSF - Parish Priest
Br Benedict MacKenzie
- In Residence
Catholic Presbytery1 – 9 Cox Crescent, Dundas Valley NSW 2117
Postal Address PO Box 248 Oatlands NSW 2117
Ph: (02) 9871 4414 Fax: (02) 9871 1151
Email: stbernv@tpg.com.au Web: www.stbernadettesdundas.com.au
Friars of St Francis Website : www.fsf.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 8.00am; 9.30am Daily:
Tuesday - Thursday: 9.00am
Children's Liturgy/ Mass Times:
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 5.00pm - 5.45pm Or by personal appointment
Baptism
Marriage By appointment (six months notice)
Special Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising
& Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment & Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: Until 1960, the region of Dundas and Carlingford had only a small population and was integrated into the parish of Rydalmere. In 1955, the Housing Commission commenced development in Dundas Valley and the building of the original St Bernadette's School began in 1958. In 1960, Dundas and Carlingford branched off from Rydalmere to form a single new parish based in Dundas Valley with masses held in the scout hall on Pennant Hills Road.
On March 1, 1963 Dundas Valley was proclaimed a parish with parishioners numbering 4000, about the same as now. Support for the building project was strong, so much so that the Archdiocese and lending institution loaned the entire amount for building the church £43,000. The first Mass held was Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve 1964 and St Bernadette's Church was officially opened by Cardinal Gilroy on the first Sunday in January 1965.
Our parish is still in the process of developing a pastoral plan for the next five years to both nurture and nourish the Catholic people living in our parish.
In December 2004, the Friars of St Francis took up residence and began refurbishing the church both inside and out. With the help of the Friars and many generous parishioners albeit by donations and/ or their time, the church was painted and repaired, the floor sanded and polished and a new Grotto was built, new artwork and landscaping of the exterior gardens.
Our parishioner numbers have doubled as well as growth in parishioner participation in works and apostolates.
Visit Parish Website
Emu PlainsOur Lady of the Way Parish
Rev Bob Anderson - Parish Priest
Location15 Troy Street Emu Plains NSW 2750
Postal Address PO Box 27 Emu Plains NSW 2750
Ph: (02) 4735 1041 Fax: (02) 4735 7832 Email: olowpar@pnc.com.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 8.00am; 9.30am Daily:
Tuesday - Thursday: 8.00am
Children's Liturgy/ Mass
Times:
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 5.00pm – 5.45pm
Baptism
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising
& Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment & Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: Rev J. Fitzpatrick, Parish Priest of Penrith (1948 - 1964) purchased land on the highway (opposite Hawkesbury Fruit Market) for later resale to fund the building of a church at Emu Plains. Rev Kevin Hannan was appointed the first Parish Priest of Emu Plains in January 1974. He lived at the presbytery at St Benedict's, Broadway and would stay in a hotel in Penrith each Saturday night to say Mass in Melrose Hall on the Sunday morning, then return to Broadway. Following his first Sunday at Emu Plains, Fr Hanna returned to Broadway and put the collection proceeds away only to have it stolen by an intuder. Fr Faye from Glenbrook Parish owned a house in Moore Street, Glenbrook, which had become vacant and allowed Fr Hannan to live there, several months after his appointment to Emu Plains. The building known as 'the cottage' was purchased from Mrs Walker; and a small one-room building (with verandah), on the north side of 'the cottage' was later purchased by the parish in 1975. Mass was said there on Holy Days and other occasions and this building became known as 'the Cathedral'. The house and land at 15 Troy Street, (presently serving as the parish office) was purchased at auction, by Mr Len Clarke on behalf of the parish, after the owner refused to sell it outright to the church. The bricks used for the external walls of the church (now parish hall) came from St Patrick's Blacktown, which was being demolished. Pat and Rob O'Brien were employed as truck drivers by Mr Glen Graham of Lapstone who kindly allowed them the use of his vehicles to drive to Blacktown early on Sunday mornings to pick up the bricks. These were hand loaded and unloaded and cleaned by volunteer parishioners and stored behind 'the cottage'. The church was designed by Matt Gooden and built by J. W. Broomhead with Ken Birks as supervisor on site. Pews were obtained from Kingswood parish. Again a group of men went down and loaded them onto borrowed trucks after work on several evenings. Other pews were obtained by similar means from North Sydney. The church was opened and blessed by Cardinal Freeman on November 21, 1976. A need for a school in the parish was obvious. A kindergarten class at St Nicholas School, Penrith in 1978 became Year One of our new school in 1979, together with a kindergarten. Classes were held in the church at first until Stage 1 of the school was opened. Stage 2 followed and finally the double storey building completed the Primary School. Matt Gooden designed all stages and Peter Hendrix Pty Ltd, the builder. A senior high school was established in Mackellar Street and the first intake of students took place in 1986. In 1999 Caroline Chisholm and St Dominic's College became Year 7 - 12 schools and McCarthy Senior High School became McCarthy Catholic College and expanded from a Year 11 & 12 senior high school to a Years 7 - 12 co-educational college. Student Priest Rev Tony
Abbott, arrived for 'work experience' in 1985 and remained until 1986.
Rev Hannan was appointed inaugural Vicar General of the newly established
Parramatta Diocese in 1986 and served until June, 1991. He retired as
Parish Priest in 1997 after 23 years. Rev Paul Roberts acted as administrator
for several months, until the appointment of Rev Geoff Dickinson later
in the year. Fr Dickinson retired in 2003 and Rev Christopher Sharah
was administrator until the appointment of Rev Bob Anderson as parish
priest in January 2004.
GlenbrookSt Finbar’s Parish
Rev John McSweeney
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Parish Priest
Parish Offices46 Levy Street, Glenbrook NSW 2773
Postal Address
Ph: (02) 4739 8928 Fax: (02) 4739 8929
Email:
secretary@stfinbars.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm DST; 5.00pm (June, July, August) Sunday: 7.30am; 9.30am Daily: Tuesday: 7.00pm Latin: 10.00am
Wednesday: 8.00am 1st Saturday:
9.30am
Children's Liturgy/ Mass
Times:
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 5.15pm – 5. 45pm; 4.15pm – 4.45pm (June, July, August)
Baptism
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