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. PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators
Baulkham Hills SouthOur Lady of Lourdes Parish
Rev Paul Slyney - Parish Priest (Episcopal Vicar)
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 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.
PARISH
PRIESTS & Administrators
Blackheath
Sacred Heart Parish
Rev Robert Sheridan - Administrator
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:
Tuesday: 6.30pm (Blackheath)
Children Liturgy/ Mass
Times
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 9.30am - 10.00am (Blackheath)
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.
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
PASTORAL DIRECTORS
Includes: Sacred Heart Church: 18 Inconstant Street,
Blackheath
Visit Parish Website
BlacktownSt Patrick’s Parish
Rev Peter Confeggi
- Parish Priest
St Patrick’s Parish Centre51 – 59 Allawah Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
Ph: (02) 9622 1125 Fax: (02) 9671 6425 Email: admin@stpatricksparish.org.au Website: www.stpatricksparish.org.au
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 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.
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
Blacktown SouthSt Michael’s Parish
Rev Robert Reidling
- Administrator
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 3rd Sunday: Filipino: 11.00am 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.
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
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 11,000. 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.. Rev Sunny Michael, a La Salette Missionary priest was appointed second Assistant Priest in September 2007. 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 August 2006 Rev John Boyle replaced Rev Hoekstra at
Castle Hill and was installed as Parish Priest on February 11, 2007.
This followed Rev Hoekstra's resignation and subsequent appointment to
Parramatta Parish as Dean of the Cathedral. 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. PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators
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 6258 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. Fr Paul Roberts took up his position as Director of Vocations full time in November 2007 and Fr George O'Mara was appointed Parish Priest.
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."
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
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
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
Back to Parish List
Dundas ValleySt Bernadette’s Parish
Rev Christopher Sharah FSF - Parish Priest
Br Benedict MacKenzie FSF
- 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: neversdv@bigpond.com
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 continued to increase - more than doubling since 2004. Parishioner participation in works and apostolates have also increased.
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
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. PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators
GlenbrookSt Finbar’s Parish
Rev John McSweeney
-
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
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: In the early 1900s, Catholics in the lower mountains worshipped at Penrith. In 1911 the re-routing of the railway line round Glenbrook brought with it a large number of workers and their families. To begin with mass was said on week mornings in a cottage occupied by Fr James Sheridan, (parish priest of Penrith 1892 – 1900), on the site now occupied by the RAAF at Lapstone. Mass was also said in the home of Mr and Mrs Wood and in the Glenbrook School of Arts.
St Finbar's Church was built by Rev Thomas Barlow (parish priest of Penrith) at a cost of £200 - £300 ($400 -$600). The Church was blessed and opened by Archbishop Michael Kelly in August 1912. The architect was Mr Charles Fowler. Mr Norrie donated the land for the church and Mr Nolan donated the Stations of the Cross. When the railway line was completed in 1913 many of the workers left and by 1917 there were less than twelve people worshipping at St Finbar's.
The population gradually increased and in 1928 a petition by parishioners for more frequent masses led to the church being transferred from Penrith to Springwood and the priests were to be supplied from St Columba’s Seminary. Mass was to be said each fortnight and transport was to be provided for the priests. The first Mass under this arrangement was Sunday, October 7, 1928. (The collection for October of that year was £3.0.0 ($6). By Feb/ March the collection had risen to £22.13.3 (approx. $45.30).
The Parish of Glenbrook was established in 1965 and Rev Danny Fay was appointed Parish Priest. Under his guiding hand a new church/hall was built and blessed and opened on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1966 by Rt Rev Monsignor T. Veech. Rev Fay was farewelled on July 8, 1990 and Rev Alex Sciberras arrived on July 15, 1990. Rev Larkey was responsible for having the new church of St Finbar’s built and the dedication took place on May 7, 1995, the ceremony being conducted by the Most Rev Bede V. Heather, DD,LSS.
Rev Peter Dowd took over from Rev Larkey on March 1, 1997. The parish said goodbye to Rev Dowd on August 8, 1999 and on August 16, 1999 Rev John McSweeney was appointed Parish Priest. Rev McSweeney was officially installed by Bishop Kevin Manning on September 5, 1999.
During Rev McSweeney's absence on continuous full time duty for the Royal Australian Navy in 2003, Rev Kevin Lee was Parish Administrator for nine months from April until December. Fr John was reappointed parish priest for a further six years in August 2005.
In August 2006 work commenced on a new presbytery with completion in April 2007. Bishop Kevin Manning blessed the new residence in March 2008 and Fr Maurice McNamara moved in to the downstairs unit after his retirement from Windsor Parish in April 2008. During Fr John's long-service leave in 2008, Rev Joseph Thomas was appointed administrator.
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
Rev Danny Fay 1965 - 1990
Rev Kevin Lee - Parish Priest Location Caroline Chisholm College Bethany Catholic Primary School Postal Address Ph: (02) 4737 9735 Parish Mass Times
Children's Liturgy/ Mass Times: Reconciliation Times Baptism Marriage By appointment Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes Parish Publications Schools Parish History We are the fourth such community to evolve into a new parish from our parent parish, Penrith - the others being Kingswood, Emu Plains and Cranebrook. We began through the efforts of a Redemptorist Brother, Br Vin Dale who knocked on the doors of new homebuilders more than 12 years ago introducing himself and inviting the Catholics to form a Catholic Community. Br Dale's efforts were supported by Fr Neville Byrne a Marist priest who continued the 'hands on' ministry and spiritual leadership of Brother Dale, advising the people that Mass was being celebrated in the homes of other Catholics. This "Home Mass" system developed the title for the Glenmore Park Catholic Community, "The Church Below the Rooftops". Bishop Bede Heather later appointed the Loretto Sisters to the pastoral care of the fledgling community, and their ministry led to the development of a systematic approach to the Community's leadership. The Community was in the successful care of Sisters Marg Finlay, Margaret O'Sullivan & Denise Braddon. Bethany Catholic Primary School was built for the Glenmore Park area to educate all who wanted to attend. Caroline Chisholm College occupies the same site. Bethany was not exclusively established for Catholics, and at this point in time many non-Catholics currently attend the school and have no active role in the building up of the Catholic Parish. It is hoped that the evangelical efforts of the parishioners will encourage the families who send their children to the Catholic School to take an interest in the Catholic faith. In 2004 there were 6 people journeying with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Programme, with a view to being welcomed into our Catholic family that following Easter. In 2004 Bishop Manning appointed Kevin Lee as Administrator and entrusted him with the sacramental and pastoral care of the community and the responsibility of establishing it into a Parish. This necessitated the building of a Catholic Church suitable for the growing needs of the Parish. We are now engaged in a fundraising programme to achieve this end. Our Community's first goal has been to increase awareness of our Saviour Jesus Christ and spread devotion to Our Lord under the inspiration of our beloved patron Padre Pio; by publicising his teachings and spirituality. This means keeping the Parish focused on becoming a holy place where God's love can be felt in a real way through charitable efforts in the local community through our Pastoral Care Team and beyond, through our missionary contributions. We wish to promote priestly vocations, strengthen marriages and encourage the active participation in the life of the Church. We are grateful to so many volunteers and willing contributors to the building up of our Church, as well as the past efforts of our committed leaders. PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators Glenwood – Stanhope GardensBlessed John XXIII Parishtba - Parish PriestRev Kevin Walsh - Administrator Rev Deacon Nicephorus Tan - Deacon (SES Chaplain)
Church & Parish Office
Postal Address Ph: (02) 9852 0580 Parish Mass Times:
Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 8.30am; 10.30am, 6.00pm Daily:
Tuesday: 7.00pm
Children's
Liturgy/ Mass Times:
Youth Liturgy/ Mass
Times:
Saturday: 5.15pm
Baptism Sunday: By appointment
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising
& Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment & Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History
When the parish started, the community first gathered for Sunday Eucharist in the library at Holy Cross Primary School, on Meurants Lane, Glenwood. In the pioneering days the focus was the building up of the faith community and the building of the church. Construction of our new church was completed in March 2007 and formally dedicated to God's glory on the 2nd June 2007.
The new church is located on Perfection Avenue, Stanhope Gardens. On the same parish site we have a Primary school, John XXIII which opened in 2005 and St Mark's Catholic Secondary College which opened in 2007.
The parish of Blessed John XXIII is a faith community with the Eucharist as its heart. Inspired by John XXIII's prophetic opening of the windows of the Church, we welcome the fresh air of the Holy Spirit, inviting every person to share in the responsibility of enriching the life and faith of our community by sharing their gifts and talents.
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators Back to Parish List
GranvilleHoly Trinity Parish
Rev Paul
Roberts
- Parish Priest (Vocations Director) ChurchCnr Randle & Bennalong Streets, Granville NSW 2142
Parish Office Presbytery
Ph:
(02) 9637 1904 Fax: (02) 9637 8915
Email: office@granvilleparish.org.au Website: www.granvilleparish.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 7.30am; 9.30am Vietnamese; 6.00pm Daily: Tuesday: 7.00pm Wednesday: 8.15am Thursday; 8.15am Friday: 9.15am Saturday: 8.15am
Children's Liturgy/
Mass Times
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 5.00pm to 5.40pm or by appointment.
Baptism
Marriage By appointment (incl. 6 months preparation support)
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: The first Holy Trinity Church was used from October 1880 with an expanded completion enabling a congregation of 200 by 1882. It officially became a parish in 1886 incorporating Granville, Harris Park, Merrylands, Guildford & East Granville. Mary MacKillop established the Sisters of St Joseph in Granville from 1885.
The second Holy Trinity Church on the Corner of Randle & Grimwood Streets was opened in 1907 and burned almost immediately. It was reopened in 1908 and remained the church until the present War Memorial Church was opened in 1965. After extensive heritage renovation, the 1907/1908 church (which had become known as 'the brown hall') was reopened in 2008 and renamed MacKillop Hall.
Guildford became a separate parochial district in 1933, followed by Harris Park in 1940 and finally by Merrylands and East Granville in 1946.
The Patrician Brothers arrived in 1942 to open their regional primary and high school. The high school took on co-educational status from 1998 and was named Delany College after the founder of the Patrician Brothers. The patrician charism continues at Delany and whilst only one brother remains on staff the Province takes an active interest in supporting and encouraging Delany's spiritual fruits. Of note at Delany today is the large Catholic Intensive English Centre which assists many new arrivals to Australia to become competent in their language and way of life here.
The parish will always owe a great debt of gratitude to the influence of the Josephite Sisters and patrician Brothers in its story. The Vietnamese Sisters of mary Queen have now had a presence in Granville since 1977 and occupy both the former Josephite Convent and former Patrician Monastery.
Holy Trinity Parish is marked today by a richly diverse inclusion of people and many cultures; people who together represent a microcosm of the world and who in life and worship together hold such potential to reflect the dream of Jesus: 'Father, may they be one as you and I are one'.
PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators
Back to Parish List
Granville EastHoly Family Parish
Rev James Stack - Parish Priest
Catholic Presbytery200 The Trongate, East Granville NSW 2142
Ph: (02) 9637 8137 Fax: (02) 9637 2644
Parish Mass Times:
Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 8.00am; 9.30am Daily: Monday: 6.45am Tuesday: 6.00pm Wednesday: 9.10am Thursday - Friday: 6.45am; 9.10am Saturday: 9.10am
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 8.30am – 9.00am; 4.30pm – 5.30pm Wednesday: After Devotions
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 parish of Holy Family, East Granville owes its beginnings to Rev John Haplin of the mother parish of Holy Trinity who was responsible for gathering the faithful in the Trongate section of Granville Parish. The Mass Centre at GEPA Hall, the Trongate, (rented since May 1936) was purchased in January 1937 for 300 pounds. In February 1938 the St Joseph's Convent School opened in the hall with the Sisters of St Joseph in charge, coming from Granville each day.
The Holy Family Parish was established in November 1946 with Rev John Kerrigan as first Parish Priest and Les Campion, later to be Parish Priest of Granville, as an altar boy.
On Sunday, January 27, 1952 Cardinal Gilroy blessed and laid the foundation stone of the new Church/ School and a year later, he repeated the ceremony for the foundation of the Holy Family Church.
The parish has expanded over the years with school extensions & shy; classrooms and a tuckshop. A new convent was built in 1970 and in 1972, Cardinal Freeman blessed and laid the foundation stone of the Assembly Hall. Ten years later he opened a new Parish House.
PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators Rev Peter Williams
(Administrator) 2009 .
Back to Parish List
GreystanesOur Lady Queen of Peace
Rev Gerry Iverson
- Parish Priest Rev Geoffrey Dickinson
- In Residence
Location Postal Address Ph: (02) 9631 8135
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 7.00am; 8.30am; 10.00am; 6.00pm Daily: Tuesday; Wednesday; Thursday; Friday:
6.30am; 9.15am Children's
Liturgy/ Mass Times: Youth Liturgy/ Mass
Times: Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 9.40am - 10.30am
Baptism Sunday: During weekend Masses or 11.30am (by appointment)
Marriage By appointment (six months notice preferred)
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: We can be proud of our history. Our forebears have given of themselves, of their riches, of their sweat and of their toil for the community. We have worshipped in the area since 1836, when we were part of the large Parramatta parish established by Archbishop Polding. In 1946 we became part of the new parish of Wentworthville and in 1958, among chicken farms and market gardens, we built the primary school and our first Mass Centre. The High School was started in 1962. We became a separate parish in 1972 with Fr Tony Duggan as the first parish priest. He was succeeded a year later by Fr Roland Darmenia who, with a dedicated group of parishioners built and opened our church in 1975. Fr Brian Gallway together with his assistant Fr Carmelo Sciberras, continued the work of developing the parish. For ten years until 1994 the Brothers and Sisters of St Gerard Majella built on these foundations, enriching our liturgical life and establishing many new areas of ministry and outreach. Since 1994 our parish Priest, Fr Gerry Iverson in collaboration with our Parish Team and Pastoral Council, has encouraged and welcomed the sharing of the various rich gifts of parishioners, which promote and enhance our many parish ministeries. To those who have gone before we say "Thank you" for giving us such a magnificent start. PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators
GuildfordSt Patrick’s Parish
tba
- Parish Priest
Catholic Presbytery30 Calliope Street, Guildford NSW 2161
Ph: (02) 9632 2672 Fax: (02) 9681 5135 Email: patricksguilford@bigpond.com
Parish
Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 8.00am; 10.00am; 5.00pm Daily: Monday, Thursday: 6.30am Wednesday; Friday, Saturday: 9.00am Tuesday: 7.30pm
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 4.00pm - 5.30pm Friday: Before & After 9.00am Mass Children: weekly
Baptism
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising
& Social Events; Study Programmes
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: In 1909 it was announced that the Guildford Roman Catholics had decided to build a church. The building was dedicated to St Patrick and blessed by Bishop Kelly on April 2, 1910. It was used by the Sisters of St Joseph as a school. The parish was established in 1933 and a new church blessed and opened on August 8, 1935. A new sacristy and sanctuary were added in 1979.
A small church/school, St Paul’s was opened at Villawood in 1954 and became a station church to Guildford until 1986 when the Diocese was established. St Paul’s remained in Sydney diocese and became part of Villawood parish.
In 1977, St Patrick’s Primary School was completed and blessed. Basketball and tennis courts were added in 1995. Completion of the extensions to the school and the Blessing took place in December 2000.
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
Harris ParkSt Oliver Plunkett’s Parish
Rev Dr Arthur Bridge AM OAM - Parish Priest Rev James Phelan - Deacon (Pastoral Care Manager, Mt Druitt Hospital)
35 Wigram Street, Harris Park NSW
Postal Address PO Box 9394 Harris Park NSW 2150
Ph: (02) 9637 1062 Fax: (02) 9637 3341 Email: stoliver@bigpond.net.au
Parish Mass Times:
Saturday: Vigil: 5.30pm Sunday: 8.00am; 10.00am Daily: Tuesday-Friday: 9.00am
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 5.15pm – 5.45pm
Baptism By appointment
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish
History: The first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day 1929. In 1930 the school/church, dedicated to Blessed Oliver Plunkett, an Irish martyr, opened its doors. Blessed Oliver was canonised in 1976 and so the parish became St Oliver's. Over the years many changes have taken place at Harris Park. PARISH
PRIESTS & Administrators Rev
Peter Farrelly 1966 - 1973
Back to Parish ListKellyvilleOur Lady of the Rosary Parish
Rev Joseph Ngoc Son Nguyen OFM Conv - Parish
Priest
LocationCatholic Presbytery8 Diana Avenue Kellyville NSW 2155
Postal Address Kellyville NSW 2155 Ph: (02) 9629 2595 or 9629 9499 Fax: (02) 9629 9388 Email : olorparish@yahoo.com.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 7.00am; 9.00am; 10.30am; 6.00pm Daily: Monday; Tuesday: 7.00am; 7.00pm Wednesday; Thursday: 7.00am Friday: 7.00am; 9.15am Saturday: 8.00am
Children Liturgy/ Mass Times
Youth Liturgy/ Mass Times
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 8.30am – 9.00am; 5.00pm – 5.50pm
Baptism
Marriage Saturday: 1.00pm; 3.00pm (by appointment)
Special Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising
& Social Events; Study Programmes: Buildings, Equipment & Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: Before Kellyville
became a parish it formed part of the parish of St Michael’s Baulkham
Hills. In the early 50s, the then Parish Priest, Rev J J Deely, saw
a need for a church in this area and purchased the land on Windsor Road.
The church was blessed and opened on March 10, 1957 by Cardinal Gilroy.
Prior to this, Mass was celebrated in the Memorial Hall and Housie nights
were held to raise money for the building of the church.
The Order of
Friars Minor Conventual (Conventual Franciscans) moved to Kellyville
in 1968 and purchased a house and land on Windsor Road in order to establish
itself within the Archdiocese of Sydney as it was then. They were given
care of Our Lady of the Rosary, Kellyville, when it was declared a parish
on March 8, 1970 with Rev Leonard Testa as the first Parish Priest.
The parish bulletin that day read: "Today is the Foundation Day
of the parish of Kellyville. It is the beginning of the new era in the
spiritual life of the Catholics of this area, bringing with it special
privileges and duties for all parishioners. With God's blessing and
the wholehearted support and co-operation of everyone, we can become
a strong active parish.”
The Church was moved from Windsor to Diana Avenue in 1976 under the direction of the then Parish Priest, Rev Maximilian Balabanski. In 1983 the new church was opened and consecrated by Cardinal Freeman. In 1995 the parish celebrated its 25th anniversary. With the expansion of the parish there are now two primary schools, Our lady of the Rosary Kellyville and St Angela's Castle Hill. 2008 sees the 25th Anniversay of the church's consecration and the division of the new Rouse Hill Parish.
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators Rev Emmanuel Gatt OFM Conv 2002 - 2009
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KenthurstSt Madeleine Sophie Barat Parish
Rev Christopher Dixon - Parish Priest Sr Anna Conway RSM - Pastoral Associate
Barat Parish Centre28 Annangrove Road, Kenthurst NSW 2156
Location
Ph: (02) 9654 2260 Fax: (02) 9654 2261 Email: stmads@yahoo.com.au Website: www.stmadeleine.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 8.00am; 10.00am; 6.00pm Daily: Tuesday – Thursday: 9.15am Fridays: 12.00 noon
Children Liturgy/ Mass Times
Youth Liturgy/ Mass Times
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 11.30am
Baptism By appointment
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History: The parish of North Parramatta began evangelising this area in the 1860s and 70s. On occasions the priest would travel to Kenthurst to say Mass in the home of the Blake family at 96 Kenthurst Road. In 1905 the Society of the Sacred Heart bought 40 acres of land in Kenthurst Road for a convent and farm school. The plans were never carried out and all but one acre was sold in 1917. Meanwhile, a little stone church had been built on this plot and in 1913 had been blessed and opened in the name of the Blessed Madeleine Sophie Barat (not canonised until 1925). In 1960, a fibro house was purchased at Dural and converted to a mass centre and named in honour of St Joseph. By the early 1980's, it became clear that both churches were too small for the growing communities. Kenthurst Parish was cut off from Castle Hill in 1988. In 1985, 20 acres was purchased in Annangrove Road from the descendants of the Blake family and building began in late 1986. On this our new home we have built one of the prettiest parish community centres around. Our primary school has a large playground and wonderful new facilities. The High School enjoys both worlds of bush setting and modern high-tech amenities. People remark on the beauty of our site, hidden as it is from roads and traffic and tucked into some wonderful native bushland. But more remarkable is the friendliness of the community. It may be something with the nature of the district where people living on acreage love to gather at church or schoolyard and exchange yarns, or it may be that people around here are just about the most friendly and generous people you could meet. We are named in honour of St Madeleine Sophie Barat, the founder of the Order of Sacred Heart Sisters. And lots of the names recorded in our baptism register are Madeleine and Sophie. The Pastor, Chris Dixon, considers himself lucky to have been involved with the parish from the start, but he came after Anna Conway RSM whose nourishing personality and tireless visitation began the community's authorship of its own parish identity. There are some significant personalities who have been involved in the site over the years. They include Fr Ed Sequiera who organised the first Country Fair and promised the people it would be a sunny day even though rain was forecast and it had been raining for a month; needless to say it was a beautiful sunny day! Colin Donges was the voice in the community who argued well for a people centred place and not a bricks and mortar extravaganza. Michael Maher and Alan Brush were heavily involved in the planning and oversight of the development. Everyone loved Fr Arthur Vojtowicz; his enthusiasm and his stories are out numbered by memories of him riding around the parish on his pushbike. Father Ian McGinnity enriched us with some wonderful encouragement for a couple of years and in his short stay Zvonimir Gavranovic knocked on a lot of doors. Trish Spencer and Mary Agnew were the engine room of the parish for many years working in the Parish Office. Everybody knew them as the first friendly and helpful face of the place. Our present secretary is Maria Hodgkinson fast becoming a legend in service to the community. PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators
Visit Parish Website
KingswoodSt Joseph’s Parish
Rev Paul Hopper CSSp - Parish Priest
Location Cnr Joseph Street & Richmond Road Kingswood NSW 2747
Postal Address PO Box 39 Kingswood NSW 2747
Ph: (02) 4721 4080 Fax: (02) 4721 0089 Email: stjoekin@unwired.com.au Website: www.stjosephskingswood.org
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 8.30am; 10.00am Daily:
Monday; Wednesday:
8.25am
Children's
Liturgy/ Mass
Reconciliation
Times: Saturday: 9.00am
– 10.00am Baptism By appointment
Marriage By appointment
Special
Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study
Programmes
Buildings,
Equipment & Resources
Parish
Publications
Schools
Parish History: Rev John Fitzpatrick, Parish Priest of Penrith, realised his dream of building an 'out' church at Kingswood to cater for the needs of the relatively new and rapidly growing suburbs in 1963. St Joseph's was blessed by Cardinal Gilroy on February 10.
Rev Geoff Dickinson was a curate at Penrith and remembers saying 'very many Masses' at the new church.
The site for the church/school was part of an original grant to Samuel Foster. In 1907 Gustav and Tess Klein purchased the land on which St Joseph's was built as part of a five-acre property where the family resided until it was sold to the Catholic Church in the early 1960s. The school was officially opened in 1963 with 225 pupils from Kindergarten to Year Five.
With the appointment of Rev Basil Rosen in 1970, a period of enormous growth began. He was horrified at conditions in the school and immediately took steps to remedy the situation, resulting in the opening of new comfortable modern brick buildings. The Sisters of St Joseph taught in the school from 1963 to 1981 when dwindling numbers and fewer vocations caused their withdrawal.
St Joseph's has seen many changes in its 33 years. Kingswood has emerged from a country village to a high density growth district. To help this community meet the exciting challenges towards 2000 and beyond, upon the retirement of Fr Basil in 1995, Rev Zvonimir Gavranovic was appointed the second Parish Priest of Kingswood.
During Fr Zvonimir's six-year period, between 1995 and 2001 he accomplished many things for Kingswood Parish. He built up a parish community based upon friendliness and openness and established a Catechist Team for the State Schools as well as a Catechumenate Team. Other projects he established in order to bring the community together are the Hospitality after Mass, the Dinner for 8 and Christmas get-together for the helpers and ministeries in the parish. He saw a need for a Parish Mission and in May 2001, a Mission was given by the Redemptorists. During this time many parishioners faith was renewed and strengthened helping the parish to develop into a growing and fulfilling community with a bright future.
In February 2002, Rev Paul Hopper CSSp was appointed as the third Parish priest of Kingswood. Fr Paul spent 20 years in West Africa as a Spiritan Missionary. Evangelisation and Community building are dear to his heart. The RCIA team has a number of new faces, the Children's Sacraments team now encourage greater parent involvement. There are now three parish cells. This year we are blessed with the involvement of Robert Reidling a seminarian for Parramatta Diocese.
On the 23rd October 2005 St Joseph celebrated its 35th Anniversary. The celebrations fittingly started with Mass celebrated by Bishop Kevin Manning. After Mass there was a great buzz around the grounds as people met for a cuppa and a slice of cake. The sound of happy children filled the air. At 2.30 in the afternoon 140 adults and 45 children went for a family fun-day of cricket, skipping rope, jumping castle, fairy floss etc. with singing, dancing raffles and a spectacular meal. Great to see a parish worship and having fun together - being community - all in the same day. To commemorate the parish's 35th Anniversary a beautiful grotto to Mary the Mother of God was built and parish Marian Devotions are held here.
For the past five years the parish has tried to answer the call to evangelisation made by all the popes since Vatican II. Concretely this means 60 people are actively involved in seven basic Christian evangelising communities. Many people have experienced through them personal growth and so have taken to heart the words of Paul VI 'when you evangelise you are evangelised.'
PARISH
PRIESTS & Administrators
Lalor ParkSt Bernadette’s Parish
Rev Andrew Robinson - Parish Priest Parish Centre14 Wheeler Street, Lalor Park NSW 2147
Ph: (02) 9672 4037 Fax: (02) 9671 5377 Email: admin@stbernadetteslalorpark.org.au
Parish Mass Times:
Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 8.30am; 10.00am Daily: Tuesday – Friday: 8.45am Saturday: 8.45am
Children's Liturgy/ Mass Times:
Youth Liturgy/ Mass Times:
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 9.00am – 10.00am; 4.30pm – 5.30pm
Baptism
Marriage By appointment
Special Masses or Celebrations; Fundraising
& Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment & Resources
Parish Publications
Schools Parish History: In 1958 people had moved into houses built by the Housing Commission. They were built on the north side of Lucas Road, bounded by Johnson Avenue, Vardys Road, Sunnyholt Road and Stephens Street, running up to Sackville Street.
Father O'Connor was the Parish Priest of Seven Hills and people of Lalor Park had to go to the Community Hall at Artillery Crescent, Seven Hills for Mass.
The Sydney Morning Herald of January 9, 1961 described the Housing Commission site 2364 (Lalor Park) as 'the suburb in need of a soul'. The story noted: 'The Roman Catholics hire a bus to take some of Lalor Park's 500 Catholic families to Mass at Seven Hills. A £25,000 Catholic school -cum Church, will be completed next month. There is certainly room for plenty of progress to be made."
There were no buses and the railway station at Seven Hills, had a level crossing and boom gates.
In February 1961 Lalor Park separated from the mother parish of Seven Hills. Rev Hugh Leonard , was appointed by Cardinal Gilroy as the founding Pastor of Lalor Park and set about building a church/school. All the classrooms were mobile partitioned for quick changeover into a church on the weekend. The parish had a debt of $50000 and a 'postage stamp' block to build parish facilities.
The Sisters of St Joseph would come from Baulkham Hills Novitiate to teach at St Bernadette's Parish School. In December 1963 a convent was built for the Sisters to live on site. With the population expanding, a parish and school assembly hall was built in 1971 and two kindergarten classrooms were added in 1980.
Rev Tim Crowley was appointed as Assistant Priest by Cardinal Gilroy as the parish had grown quickly. Fr Crowley was then appointed as a hospital chaplain and there were a succession of other assistant priests - Fr Hannan, Fr Foley, Fr Stephens and Fr Rooney.
Fr Leonard heard that the Housing Commission was going to build on the land where the present church and presbytery are built. He used his influence and connections to buy land for the parish. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of St Bernadette's new church in 2006 might not have happened but for the intervention of the Holy Spirit.
The site now occupied by the church and presbytery has always thought to be part of the reserve that borders the school and extends from Wheeler Street through to Venn Avenue and beyond. In the early 1960's and long before construction of the oval and flood retention basin, the only reasonably flat area for St Bernadette's football teams to train on, was the area in question.
However to everyone's dismay, foundation bricks and house frames were dropped onto the area. The Housing Commission had contracted for the erection of three houses on the site. Imagine the panic and consternation! Houses on 'our' football practice ground ! And to be built immediately adjoining the church and school.
Plenty of prayers, novenas by the goodly Nuns, consultation by Fr Leonard with the Archbishop (the parish was still in Sydney Diocese) and no doubt meetings with friendly members of Parliament and the Housing Commission followed. The result was the purchase of the land by the Diocese. Finally the parish had a site that our church and presbytery now occupies.
Fr Leonard was then appointed to Croydon Parish. People were sad to see him go as he had started the parish. There is no doubt that the untiring work of the 1st Pastor Fr Hugh, together with the support of the assistant priests and Srs of St Joseph (encouraged by the Catholic Community), made a significant contribution both spiritually and socially to the new area.
Fr Tim Crowley was appointed Parish Priest in 1979 by Cardinal Freeman and then proceeded to build a new church and presbytery which were completed in 1981. The church was solemnly dedicated under the title of St Bernadette by Bishop Bede Heather, (Bishop for the outer western region of the Sydney Archdiocese) on September 27, 1981. The architect of the church was Mr Tony Battah. The new church was built to accommodate 450 parishioners.
"The new St Bernadette's has a most original design. It slopes steeply upwards at one end to signify our rise to spirituality. Colourful stained glass windows and a large cross outside the building make it a prominent landmark. Over the altar is a statue of the Eternal Priest, Jesus Christ." (Catholic Weekly 1981).
In 1984 there was a distastrous fire at the school, which had to be completely rebuilt. In August 1989 the Daily Telegraph reported: "Lalor Park is a quiet area with good schools, great transport and ideal for young families."
The new parish centre was built in 1991 with a self contained flat for a priest to stay. During Fr Tim Crowley's time as Parish Priest (1979 - 2002) the parish had the following assistant priests: Fr Dias, Fr Paul Hollis, Fr Graham James, Fr Fowler, Fr Fernandes, Fr Zvonimir Gavranovic, Fr John Goulding, Fr Kevin Walsh, Fr Henry Duc and deacons Gabor Szabo and Joseph Formosa.
When it was proposed that the North West sector be developed for private housing, it seemed reasonable to extend the boundary of St Bernadette's Parish from Meurants Lane to the intersection of Sunnyholt Road and Old Windsor Road. This suggestion was accepted by the diocese and the boundaries were changed to meet the pastoral needs of this new area, which is now known as Glenwood.
It was proposed that land be bought in the vicinity of what is now the intersection of Glenwood Park Drive and Forman Avenue. Here a Catholic Primary School would be built together with an imaginatively planned multi-purpose building to double as a parish hall and church, much as happens in expanding areas of the United States. This plan would not come to fruition as a second Primary School was built on Meurants Lane.
Now there were two Catholic Primary schools in the parish. While Holy Cross was on the drawing board, the pupils of Holy Cross were accommodated in portable classrooms at St Bernadette's. In October 2002, Glenwood would be cut off from Lalor Park, and a new parish established, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens, under the title of John XXIII and the boundaries of St Bernadette's were restored to their original position.
In the sports and cultural areas over the years the Inskip family were the backbone of our girl's netball. Brian Williams, Jimmy Boys, Keith Boiden, John Fields, Fr Crowley for football; Sheridan boys for cricket and the Field family for the band 'Cockroaches' and the now world famous 'Wiggles'.
Lalor Park used to have the nicknames of Nappy Valley and Dodge City for the number of babies and outstanding credit owed. 'Housie' has played a great part in financing the parish. It started on a Friday night in St Patrick's parish hall, Patrick Street, Blacktown and then transferred to St Bernadette's parish hall and continued for 38 years, until it finally ceased in September 2000.
On Saturday November 3, 2001 the parish celebrated a combined 100 years of St Bernadette's, Lalor Park; (40 years - parish & school; 30 years - hall; 20 years - consecration of 2nd church; 10 years - parish centre). The Centenary Liturgy on the Saturday was followed by a Dinner Dance. The Mass was a deeply moving and memorable experience. The efforts of the choir and musicians was exceptionally beautiful, as was the symbolism used both with the proclamation of the Gospel and Offertory Procession. The Dinner Dance was a great success, the food terrific, band great and the company exceptional. The sense of community and belonging was evident during the Centenary Celebrations.
Fr Tim Crowley retired after 23 years of Pastoral Ministry as Parish Priest at St Bernadette's Lalor Park. Rev Andrew Robinson was appointed the third parish Priest on June 2, 2002 by Bishop Kevin Manning, Bishop of Parramatta.
The parish during 2006 celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the building and dedication of their second church. The celebrations started on Friday September 15, 2006 with a Jubilee Mass for St Bernadette's School.
The 6pm Vigil Mass, 8.30am and 10.00am Masses included a Powerpoint Reflection - A Journey Remembered, new Jubilee Hymn of St Bernadette with graphics and the ministry of the parish choir and musicians. The parish Youth Group dramatised the Gospel at the 6pm Vigil Mass. A Dinner Dance was held in the parish hall, which was attended by 198 past and present parishioners. Fathers Andrew Robinson, Tim Crowley, former pastor Zvonimir Gavronovic and Peter Woodward were present for the Dinner Dance. Also present were Tony and Elaine Battah (Tony Battah was the architect of the second church).
After the 10.00am Mass there was a cutting of the Anniversary cake by Frs Tim Crowley and Andrew Robinson. At all masses parishioners received a Commemorative Holy Card with the image of the parish statue of St Bernadette on one side and a Commemorative Message on the reverse side of the card.
St Bernadette's Parish - Vision Statement
PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
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LawsonOur Lady of the Nativity Parish
Rev Paul Hanna - Administrator
Catholic Presbytery 254 Great Western Highway, Lawson NSW 2783
Ph: (02) 4759 1034 Fax: (02) 4759 3654 Email: olon@tpg.com.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 5.00pm Sunday: 8.00am; 9.30am Latin: 5.00pm Daily: Tuesday: 5.00pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9.00am 1st Saturday: 10.00am
Children's Liturgy/ Mass Times:
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: 11.00am Baptism Marriage By appointment (six months notice) Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes Parish Publications Schools Parish
History: Mass was celebrated at Lawson on one Sunday per month by priests from Katoomba. Early in 1928, Mr Richard Meagher offered his Lawson property 'Durham Lodge' as the site for a new church. The church Our Lady of the Nativity is in fact a memorial to his wife Alice Meagher, who died in 1923. It was her idea to use the property for religious purposes, including a church. The local Catholics, led by Mr Wilfred Lillis, were enthusiastic about the proposal and expressed their desire to have a school established as well as a church. Rev St Clair Bridge was eventually won over to support the project, after initial objections and Archbishop Kelly gave his approval. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan who have been continuously associated with Lawson for more than 60 years, undertook to staff the proposed school. Money was donated by Mr Meagher and the Archbishop; plans were prepared by Mr Austin McKay and Mr B. G. Lambert was awarded the contract. The Foundation Stone of the new church was blessed and laid by His Eminence Cardinal Ceretti, on October 21, 1928. The completed church was blessed by Archbishop Kelly on April 7, 1929. Lawson became a separate parish with Rev Patrick Conway as the first parish priest. The school began operating at the same time in the original 1903 church building, which was moved from its original site. A boarding school and normal day classes included High School classes to Intermediate Level. The school has been updated and extended over the years and today is staffed entirely by lay people. The Good Samaritan Sisters now manage the Santa Maria Centre, a fine stone house also donated to the church by Mr Meagher. In 1947, Leura was divided from Lawson. Leura and Wentworth Falls formed a new parish. In 1965 the church was enhanced by the addition of a Sanctuary and Vestry to replace the original temporary wooden structures. The Sisters of St Joseph maintained a community in the parish until 1979. The building they occupied was sold to a covenanted ecumenical community in 2002, except for one small cottage which remains for the use of the sisters. Fr Conway's administration ended in 1952. Following him were Rev G. Humphrey, Rev F. Martin, Rev P. Farrelly and Rev C. Hatton. For 6 years after Fr Hatton's departure, Lawson did not have a resident priest and the possibility of closure or amalgamation was raised. Mass continued to be celebrated, regularly on both Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Priest during this period included Rev P Morrissey, Rev Eugene Stockton, Rev Reginald Keating SM, Rev Geoff Plant OFM, Rev Finian Perkins OFM, and Rev J. McCulloch. In November 1986, Rev Anthony Reynolds was appointed administrator and formally installed as Parish Priest in 1989 until 1994. The parish was then serviced by the priests of the Upper Blue Mountains Parish until Rev Theo Arrivoli took up the position of Parish Priest in February 1998. In 1999 a new parish office and meeting room was built adjacent to the church. The presbytery was restored and refurbished in 2000. PARISH PRIESTS &
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Luddenham-WarragambaSacred Heart Parish
Rev Zvonimir Gavranovic
- Parish Priest LocationLot 12 Willowdene Avenue, Luddenham NSW 2745
Postal AddressPO Box 56, Luddenham NSW 2745
Ph: (02) 4773 4321 Fax: (02) 4773 4303 Email: admin@warragambaparish.org.au Web Site: www.warragambaparish.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Sunday:
Luddenham: Vigil: 6.00pm Daily: Wednesday: Warragamba: 9.00am Thursday: Mulgoa: 7.00am Saturday: Luddenham: 9.00am 3rd Saturday: Greendale: 9.00am
Children's Liturgy
Times
Reconciliation Times: Saturday: Luddenham: 9.30am or personal appointment
Baptism
Marriage Saturday: By appointment
Special Masses or
Celebrations; Fundraising & Social Events; Study Programmes
Buildings, Equipment
& Resources
Parish Publications
Schools
Parish History In 1892, Fr Sheridan, parish priest of Penrith, built St Mary's Mulgoa Church on land given by Mr Stephen. Fr Sheridan recommended that the church bell from the Greendale church be hung in St Mary's, Mulgoa. It was eventually stolen in 1982 and never recovered. After Mulgoa was consolidated in 1900, a new Catholic family formed in Luddenham. In 1912 St Francis Xavier's church at Luddenham was built on land given by the Anschau family. Priests from Camden and Penrith met the needs of these churches during these times. From 1934 - 1942, Sydney experienced a record drought. To augment the water supply essential for Sydney, the Water Board built a 15m high weir at Warragamba in 1937. The present dam was officially opened in 1960. By 1951 with the rise of the Water Board town, Warragamba saw the need for a new parish. This parish became known as Warragamba in 1951 and included the churches of Mulgoa and Luddenham and those particular villages along with the villages of Wallacia, Greendale, Bringelly, Badger's Creek and Silverdale, all in an area of over 400 sq.km. Rev Thomas Everard was the first Parish Priest of Warragamba. Fr Everard purchased the cinema (formerly the Town Hall) of the Warragamba township and had it transported in three sections to be reassembled in its present location. On Sunday November 23, 1952, the Sacred Heart Church at Warragamba was blessed and officially opened by Bishop Lyons. In 1990 the old St Francis Xavier Church site on Northern Road, Luddenham was sold to the Federal Government as a result of the decision being made to build the proposed second airport for Sydney at nearby Badgery's Creek. On Saturday June 9, 1991 the graves from St Francis Xavier Church, Luddenham were moved to the Greendale Catholic Cemetery and the Church (built in 1912) was dismantled. The contents of the church were moved to the chapel at Greendale. The sale of the land enabled the purchase of 9 acres at Willowdene Avenue, Luddenham from the Wilmington family. Construction of the Holy Family Centre Church and School was commenced on the initiative of the local dairy farmers and finally blessed and opened by Bishop Bede heather and Rev John Evans on October 28, 1996. In 1997, Fr John Evans announced his retirement after 28 years as Parish Priest. In July 1997 Rev Paul Marshall was appointed Parish Priest. On Christmas day 2001, the old presbytery at Weir Road, Warragamba and the Bargain Centre adjacent were destroyed by the fire which raged out of control from the Burrogevang Valley. In July 2004, two parish houses were completed at Willowdene Avenue, Luddenham. One house is occupied by Sr Adele Cottrell-Dormer (Pastoral Associate) and the other by Fr Paul and Rev Vincent Savarimuthu. Fr Vincent Savarimuthu from Tamil Nadir, Southern India was appointed as Assistant Priest in June 2005. It marks the international character of our Church and Nation. PARISH PRIESTS &
Administrators Includes: Visit Parish Web SiteBack to Parish ListMarayongSt Andrew’s Parish
Rev Ron McFarlane EV VF
Dean - Parish Priest
(Episcopal Vicar)
Catholic Presbytery40 Breakfast Road, Marayong NSW 2148
Postal Address
Ph: (02)
9622 0817 Fax: (02) 9671 7971 Email: saapm@bigpond.com.au Website: www.standrewsmarayong.org.au
Parish Mass Times: Saturday: Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 7.30am; 8.45am; 10.30am Daily: Monday-
Saturday: 9.00am Children Liturgy/ Mass
Times Youth Liturgy/ Mass
Times
Reconciliation Times: Weekdays: 9.30am Tuesday:
6.30pm Saturday: 9.30am – 10.30am; 4.30pm – 5.30pm 4th Saturday: Second Rite:
9.30am
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 Parish of St. Andrew's Marayong came into existence on February 1st, 1961. It was separated from Blacktown Parish and was officially designated as the Parish of Doonside/Quakers Hill. Fr. Kenneth Byrne was the first Parish Priest and served this Parish as Pastor until retiring in 1988. In January 1963, Doonside became a separate Parish as did Quakers Hill ten years later in January 1973.
Fr Ron McFarlane became the second Parish Priest of St Andrews Marayong in 1988 and continues to be part of this community. Over the years we have been fortunate to be able to have assistant priests, each of whom has contributed something significant to the parish by their presence and unique gifts. Having two priests in the parish as the numbers have grown has made it possible to expand the activities of the parish. Of course, this would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of many people who are part of the community - their involvement has meant that the parish is able to provide so many opportunities to be supportive in the faith journey of this parish family.
Many of the parishioners have chosen to be actively involved in the various ministries of the parish. The involvement of the members of the community in the life of the parish is what makes our parish so special, for true parish life is about family and community. Much has been done to create a welcoming community and a place where people feel comfortable. The parish community has continually provided opportunities for faith education and formation.
The first Mass in the temporary Parish Church was on November 5th, 1961. The reconstructed Church had its first Mass on November 5th, 1977. Due to the population increase in the early 1990's it was necessary to dramatically extend the church once again. In 1994 the present church was blessed and dedicated.
In recent years the former convent has been converted into meeting rooms. The parish offices constructed in 2001 have now been extended. Currently, a very large gathering area and an amenities block have almost been completed. These will provide great opportunities for parishioners to gather.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to all those who have been involved since the beginning of this parish community and we look forward with confidence to the continued involvement of present and future parishioners.
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