As of 1 January 2025, St Luke’s, Marsden Park, will be formally recognised and decreed the newest parish of the Diocese of Parramatta.
The parochial district, which is the first stage of development of a parish, was established by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, on 22 December 2017, as a response to the exponential growth in Sydney’s northwest.
Over the last six years, St Luke’s has shown financial stability as well as growing from a community of 150 people to over 600 as evidence to formally establish the parish.
Parishioners are seen following Mass at St Luke’s Catholic Faith Community, Marsden Park. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Deacon Tony Hoban was appointed as Pastoral Director in January 2018 for a three-year term, working alongside his wife Annette and an advisory board of lay volunteers to build relationships, provide pastoral care and support to Catholics in the local community. Former Vicar General of the Diocese, Fr Chris de Souza, was the supervising priest of the area.
The community is fortunate to have had dozens of supply priests from across the Diocese over its six years to provide the sacraments for the growing community.
As of 1 January, Fr Gayan Thamel, the Episcopal Vicar for Migrant Chaplaincies, will be St Luke’s first Parish Priest. This follows his appointment as Supervising Priest of the community in early 2024 whilst he was Parish Priest of the Parish of Richmond.
Fr Gayan Thame Episcopal Vicar for Migrant Chaplaincies: Image Diocese of Parramatta
Since the beginning, the community has been using the facilities of St Luke’s Catholic College for their weekend Masses as well as for significant celebrations. Over the last few years, parishioners have raised $500,000 for a permanent place of worship.
Over the next 12 months, in partnership with the Diocese, the community is hoping to build a new hall on the designated church site that will serve as the initial place of worship before their church is formally erected. With the building of a permanent structure, the opportunity to celebrate Mass more frequently could become a reality.
Crowds of young families from the new suburbs Marsden Park, Elara, Colebee and others gather for the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at St Luke’s Catholic Faith Community, Marsden Park, Friday 7 April 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
With the transition to a parish, Deacon Tony and Annette will step down from their pastoral duties to spend more time with family and to travel around the country.
In a note of appreciation for Deacon Tony and Annette, Bishop Vincent said the pair had done a stellar job in relationship and community building at Marsden Park.
“They have prioritised the care of people and the nurturing of relationships. This is evident in the way people are involved in the social and sacramental life of the community.
“Together, they embody the injunction of Our Lord that Christian ministries be best exercised not in isolation, but in partnership with others.
“Tony and Annette have pioneered a different model of pastoral care and leadership. As we move into a synodal way of being Church, I hope that deacon-led communities will add to the rich tapestry of Catholic pastoral leadership.
“St Luke’s will welcome Fr Gayan Thamel as its new incoming pastor. I trust that he will build on the work of Tony and Annette and the community can move forward towards greater things ahead.”
Deacon Tony and Annette Hoban at the 2022 National Association of Deacons Conference at St Joseph’s Retreat Centre, Baulkham Hills. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Deacon Tony said that it will remain ‘business as usual’ over the next six months before 1 January.
“It’s a significant step in the life of the faith community to be realised as a parish.
“It’s a great milestone event and we’re really pleased that it has reached that level.
“We look back very fondly at the combined efforts of many to build our community to where it’s at now.
Early members of the St Luke’s Catholic Faith Community, Marsden Park, during the community BBQ and Chat in March 2018. Image: Alfred Boudib/Diocese of Parramatta
“We will continue to have Masses every weekend; we will continue with our sacramental programs and all the other ministries and pastoral work and other events, like the dinner-dance and Christmas carols.
“From day one, we decided we needed an advisory group to support us and to ensure we heard the voice of the people. This pastoral leadership group have been our closest advisors, have shared some of the challenges with us, and have been a trusted group providing guidance and support.
“We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the school community; we couldn’t have had Mass without the school’s support. Our collaboration with the initial Principal, Greg Miller, and the current Principal, Kelly Bauer, has been wonderful and has, we hope, been mutually beneficial.
Deacon Tony Hoban speaks during the first Mass celebrated at St Luke’s Catholic Faith Community, Marsden Park, on 11 April. 2018. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“We [Annette and I] have said to people that whilst we have three children, because we have worked together on the creation and establishment of St Luke’s, it feels like our fourth child. But we are very pleased that we will be leaving our ‘baby’ in good hands.
“Please pray for us in this last stage of our time at St Luke’s, and please pray for the smooth transition of this faith community from being a parochial district to a parish, and for the wonderful leadership that we are confident Fr Gayan will provide.”
