Catholic Outlook on break until 2026

24 December 2025

 

Dear readers and subscribers of Catholic Outlook, 

As we come towards the end of 2025, Catholic Outlook will be taking a break from 25 December until 19 January 2026. 

During this period, there will be no new articles published. The daily e-newsletter will commence again in 2026.  

We have selected our ‘Best of 2025’ articles for you to enjoy.  

From all of us at Catholic Outlook, we wish you a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.  

 


February: 

Many charisms, one spirit: Western Sydney’s religious unite on World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life 

Red Mass for legal profession celebrates God’s vision of justice 

 

March: 

A Loving Farewell to Deacon Rodrigo Rupac 

Historic Rite of Election at St Patrick’s Cathedral: 124 Catechumens take transformative step in faith 

‘Soul of the Building’: Funeral Mass pays tribute to beloved Facilities Manager 

Bishop Vincent’s address 50 years after the Vietnam War: A personal journey 

 

April: 

Why parishes have a big role in stopping elder abuse 

Parramatta Iftar Dinner promotes unity in troubled times 

Not Alone: How Women’s Ministry is Bringing Faith to Life 

Giving hope to women seeking shelter 

“There’s No Part of You That God Rejects”: Holy Thursday in a Prison Chapel 

Solemn Mass for Pope Francis: Honouring a humble Pope of the people 

Br Mark O’Connor’s Sign of Hope and Grace reflections following Pope Francis’ death and the election of Pope Leo XIV: 

 

May:  

“Thrilled and in awe” – Parramatta’s Augustinians react to the election of Cardinal Prevost OSA as Pope Leo XIV 

From finance to faith: Catholic Care’s prison chaplain shares personal journey of faith and service 

Rouse Hill Parish celebrates a decade of faith, growth and community spirit 

Many Nations, One Church: African Catholics Celebrate in Unity 

Liturgical ministers celebrated at annual Diocesan Commissioning Mass 

 

June: 

Hope in the darkness: A record-breaking number of young people take to the streets in love for the Lord 

A Song for St Madeleine: Parish celebrates centenary of patron’s canonisation with music, art and community 

Mt Druitt Parish celebrates 60 years of faith, family, and fraternity with First Nations peoples 

St Aidan’s Rooty Hill farewells retiring Parish Priest Fr Alan Layt 

The lightbulb moment that set Fr Chris del Rosario on a course for Rome 

Cranebrook Parish embraces new shepherd, Fr Abraham 

The FaithFeed ECHO: Empowering youth leaders in today’s Church 

 

July: 

Heritage Trail highlights pioneering religious who helped make Parramatta the ‘cradle of Catholicism’ 

Student leaders tackle the future of AI 

An outpouring of faith and gratitude for Maria Nguyen 

‘God works mysteriously’: The unlikely road that led the Somascan Fathers to the Diocese of Parramatta 

Vale Fr Tim Hogan: a priest ‘tested in the furnace’ and found worthy 

Sr Ailsa Mackinnon: the surfing sister who remains a servant of hope 

‘A culture of encounter’: Clergy Conference strengthens bonds of brotherhood 

A New Tradition in Faith and Devotion at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville 

 

August: 

Mauricio López Oropeza: the Church needs to participate in people’s struggles 

New chapter begins for Luddenham-Warragamba Parish with Fr Shinto Francis 

Beacons of Hope: Honouring the Dedicated Service of Parishioners 

Baptisms on a ship’s deck, swords at a wedding: the life of a Navy Chaplain 

First Anniversary of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan: the beginning of our journey 

Wrapped in love: Local death highlights danger of living on the streets at 2025 Homelessness Week Memorial Service 

Vale Greg Whitby AM, former Executive Director of Catholic Education 

 

September: 

809 years of life celebrated at Holy Family Services: a tribute to faith, courage and joy 

Sing a new song! School holiday choir voices fill St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta 

Carlo Acutis’ family gather in Rome to witness son becoming saint 

“The Holy Spirit is the protagonist of our mission”: Dr Nora Kofognotera Nonterah on her synodal journey 

Cardinal Chow inspires Western Sydney with message of bridge building 

‘I am part of a whole’: the truth that carried Qwayne through her Master’s 

Pilgrim leader, Rachael Kama celebrates with Pope Leo on his birthday 

End of an era: Good Samaritan Sisters farewelled from Blue Mountains 

‘One Mind, One Heart’: 30 Years of Augustinians at Holy Spirit, St Clair 

Live and share faith boldly: 40 adults receive Sacrament of Confirmation 

 

October: 

Helping couples discover the heavenly purpose in marriage 

Altar serving ministry nourishing the community 

Migrants find refuge in St Clair Parish community 

“One Can Still Find Hope in the Catholic Church”: Br Mark O’Connor FMS on 50 years a Marist Brother and 40 Years of the Hélder Câmara Lectures 

‘Proud of his example’: Diocese of Parramatta celebrates PNG’s first saint Peter To Rot 

 

November: 

An Echo of ‘I Do’: 100 Couples Renew Their Wedding Vows at St Patrick’s Cathedral 

St Luke’s opens doors to growing Catholic community in Marsden Park 

Heralds of the Good News recognised at annual Mass 

Fr John McSweeney installed as Parish Priest of new seven-church parish 

Book captures essential history of St Patrick’s Cathedral blaze 

St Oliver Plunkett Parish celebrates 50 years of faith and community 

Ten years of LIFTED Live celebrated in Parra! 

Pope honours Lalor Park parishioner for 70 years of service 

Hundreds gather to honour Greg Whitby at special Memorial Mass 

 

December: 

‘A celebration of humanity’: Fifth annual Parramatta Street Feast for homeless draws record attendance 

International food festival draws hundreds to Merrylands Parish 

Parramatta youth pilgrims shine at ACYF in Melbourne 

Diocese of Parramatta to build state-of-the-art Catholic precinct and Church in fastest growing city, Blacktown 

“Driving force” of parishes recognised for their service 

Seminarians deepen their commitment with vows for Admission to Candidacy 

‘Like one of God’s apostles’: St Marys parishioners get ready to farewell their beloved priest 

 

 

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