Eleven parishioners across the Diocese of Parramatta have been recognised for their unwavering dedication, faith and service at the 2025 Diocesan Awards.
During a ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on Thursday 7 August, the eve of St Mary MacKillop of the Cross’ feast day, ten people were presented with the Diocesan Medal of Honour.
Awardees included teachers, parish secretaries, SRE catechists and liturgical ministers from parishes across the Diocese, including Westmead, Marayong, Winston Hills and beyond. The late Mr Geoff Roney was honoured posthumously for his extensive parish contributions, with his wife Janice accepting the award on his behalf.
Fr Peter Williams AM VG paid tribute to each recipient, drawing on the deep faith of St Mary MacKillop. He reflected on her commitment to the message of Jesus Christ and her steadfast belief on putting the needs of others first.
Fr Peter Williams AM VG during his homily. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“In the context of our celebration tonight, we are honouring women and men from our own Diocese who, in their own way, have contributed to the life of their parish communities – often without fanfare,” he said.
“They have responded to the call that comes from deep within the Christian person, whose vocation through baptism is to be there for the service of others.”
Fr Peter emphasised that their work is not about meeting targets or seeking recognition, but about living the Gospel. Citing St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (4:11), he noted that the gifts God gives – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers – are “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
“That is the key motivator,” he said. “Not self-promotion or headlines, but recognising that one’s vocation as a baptised Christian is to build up the Body of Christ. As we will hear in the citations, these women and men have done that in their own unique way, using the gifts given to them.”
“Our awardees tonight become beacons of hope in this Jubilee Year of Hope, inspiring others to follow their own pathways of service. It’s all about building up the Body – and the Body is us. We are the Church, and we are all called to build up one another in faith.”
The 2025 recipients of the Diocesan Medal are as follows:
Mrs Marjorie Cartwright and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mrs Marjorie Cartwright
St Patrick’s Parish, Guildford
Mrs Cartwright has been a member of St Patrick’s Parish, Guildford for around 85 years. For the past 40 years, she has supported St Patrick’s Primary and the former Patrician Brothers College through the school canteen, organising annual textbook hire, and serving at every home game football match. In the parish, she helped with fetes, annual Stations of the Cross plays, and continues to serve on the counters’ roster.
Mrs Laura Eid and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mrs Laura Eid
Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead
Mrs Eid has been a catechist at Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead for over 45 years, also serving much of that time as Parish Coordinator. For more than 25 years, she has been part of the Altar Society, preparing the church by laundering linens, arranging banners, and setting up for Mass. She also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a reader at Mass.
Mr Paul Eid and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mr Paul Eid
Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead
Mr Eid has been the groundsman at Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead for over 20 years, generously supporting the parish community with any task, big or small. He also coordinates the weekly collections at Mass and prepares the church and hall each weekend. Mr Eid is always ready to welcome new parishioners and assist with hospitality after Mass.
Mrs Maria Hyson and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mrs Maria Hyson
St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong
Mrs Hyson, wife of Deacon Charles Hyson, has been a member of St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong for the past 24 years. During this time, she has served as an Adult Server, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, lector, and reader. In 2014, she became the Parish’s Sacramental Coordinator while also working at the parish primary school.
Mrs Pauline Knowler and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mrs Pauline Knowler
St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills
Mrs Knowler has been at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills for over 40 years. From 1983 to 2010, she was a member of the Parish’s St Vincent de Paul Society, helping pack Christmas hampers for over 20 years. She has also been a valued member of the Parish Sacramental Team for more than 20 years, served as a reader and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
Mr Michael Lopez and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mr Michael Lopez
St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill
Mr Lopez has served as an acolyte at St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill for 40 years. He is known as a kind and caring presence, supporting and guiding fellow Acolytes and Altar Servers. He regularly volunteers at extra Masses, including the monthly Healing Mass, ensuring those with limited mobility can receive the sacraments. Despite recent health challenges, Mr Lopez returned to his duties as soon as he was able.
Mrs Melissa McDonald and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mrs Melissa McDonald
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook
Mrs McDonald has been a catechist for around 15 years. For the past 10 years, she has served as the Parish Coordinator at St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook, and soon after became Regional Coordinator for the Blue Mountains Deanery. She has served on the Parish Council with a focus on social justice and was previously the Parish’s Music Coordinator. She remains active in her parish, contributing to music ministry and small group discussions.
Mrs Anne-Marie Moriarty and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mrs Anne-Marie Moriarty
St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong
Mrs Moriarty has been a member of St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong for around 35 years. During this time, she has served in various ministries, including as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a member of the Music Committee and ministry, the Parish Social Justice Committee, and the Parish Council. She has also shared her professional skills as a nurse to support a refugee family and as part of the Parish Grief Support program.
Mr Melvyn Myers and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mr Melvyn Myers
St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill
Mr Myers has been an acolyte at St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill for about 30 years. For the last 25 years, he has been the coordinator of the Ministers of the Altar. In this role, Mr Myers has trained, encouraged, rostered and arranged parish acolytes, senior servers, altar servers, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. In addition, Mr Myers, with other volunteers, run tours of the church for the Parish’s sacramental program giving an insight to parts of the liturgy and church building that are not usually seen.
Mr John Chandran and Fr Peter Williams AM VG. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Mr John Chandran
Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead
Mr Chandran is an active member of the Parish, volunteering as a reader, Senior Altar Server, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and assisting at numerous events. His service is most evident in his dedication to the local St Vincent de Paul conference, leading annual appeals, collecting goods, and distributing Christmas hampers to those in need, even amid declining volunteer support. He is also the first point of contact for those seeking immediate help with essentials such as food or shelter.
Mrs Janice Roney with Fr Peter Williams AM VG, accepting the award on behalf of her late husband, Mr Geoff Roney. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The Late Mr Geoff Roney
St Bernadette’s Paris, Castle Hill
Mr Roney passed away after the nomination was submitted and before Committee consideration.
Mr Roney was a member of the St Bernadette’s, Castle Hill St Vincent de Paul Conference for nearly 15 years, serving as President and Vice President. He visited hundreds of homes, provided grocery vouchers, and arranged accommodation, schooling, and furniture. He also organised Christmas hampers, tailoring each to its recipient. Mr Roney was always willing to share his experience and offer advice to new members.
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