Nine members of the Diocese of Parramatta have been recognised for their outstanding service and contribution to the faith and community at a ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023.
Seven were awarded the Diocesan Medal of Honour, and two young people were awarded the Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth.
The Diocesan Medal of Honour is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Diocese of Parramatta. The Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth is awarded to young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who have shown outstanding contribution and service to the Diocese.
The recipients were nominated by their peers and parishioners and were selected by the Diocesan Honours Committee.
At the ceremony, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, praised the recipients for their dedication and service to the Diocese.
“They have followed the example of Christ, who had given his life for others,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with a reception in the Cathedral Hall, where guests had the opportunity to congratulate the recipients.
The 2023 recipients of the Diocesan Medal of Honour are:
Mrs Pamela Bain has been a member of St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta, since 1985 and has served in various voluntary roles such as a reader and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She has also been a volunteer SRE Catechist and member of the money-counting team.
Recipient of the 2023 Diocesan Medal of Honour Pamela Bain from St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta (right) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Mr Mario Castellari has been a member of Our Lady of the Way Parish, Emu Plains, for more than 40 years where he has contributed as a member of the grounds team, a Church warden, and a member of the St Vincent de Paul local conference.
Recipient of the 2023 Diocesan Medal of Honour Mario Castellari from Our Lady of the Way Parish, Emu Plains (left) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Mr Neil Milgate has been a parishioner of St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie for more than 40 years. He has served as a warden for the 10am Mass, and helped to organise the visit of the relics of St Anthony of Padua to the Parish.
Recipient of the 2023 Diocesan Medal of Honour Neil Milgate from St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie (right) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Mr Brian and Mrs Jan Nealon have been members of Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead, for many years. They have volunteered their time and skills to the Parish school and the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Recipients of the 2023 Diocesan Medal of Honour Brian (right) and Jan (left) Nealon from Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Mrs Deirdre Said has served as Customer Consultant Operations with The Diocesan Development Fund for more than 10 years. She has been commended for her high level of support and professional advice.
Recipient of the 2023 Diocesan Medal of Honour Deirdre Said from the Diocesan Development Fund (right) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Mr Patrick Watson has served the Parish of St Finbar’s, Glenbrook, for the past 30 years. Using his skills as an electrician, he has helped to install a new IT system and is currently updating the Parish Church’s sound system.
Recipient of the 2023 Diocesan Medal of Honour Patrick Watson from St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook (left) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
The 2023 recipients of the Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth are:
Mr Joshua Becker has served the Parish of St Bernadette’s, Castle Hill, for the past 20 years. He currently volunteers as the audio-visual technician and prepares the slides for all the weekend Masses.
Recipient of the 2023 Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth Joshua Becker from St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill (right) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Ms Claire Brown is a member of the Catholic Youth Parramatta band and supports the fortnightly youth Mass in her Parish of St Finbar’s, Glenbrook. She has helped to grow the youth group and has used her skills as a school teacher to organise children’s liturgy and catechism classes.
Recipient of the 2023 Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth Claire Brown from St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook (left) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 1 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Congratulations to all of the recipients of the Diocesan Medal of Honour and the Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth.
View images from the Diocesan Medal of Honour ceremony here or below:
