Finding practical solutions to the growing homelessness crisis in Western Sydney was the focus of a recent gathering in Parramatta of experts and representatives from Catholic and other agencies, as well as parish groups and religious communities from the Diocese.
The gathering, or “table talk”, was held on the last day of National Homelessness Week at the Diocese of Parramatta’s Bethany Centre, on Sunday 9 August, and was organised by Sr Jan Barnett RSJ, Sr Marion Gambin RSJ and Emila Nicholas from the Josephite Justice Network, in collaboration with the Peace, Justice and Ecology Team of the Diocese.
The room was filled to capacity with representatives of parish social justice groups, agencies such as Vinnies, the House of Welcome, and Shelter NSW, and representatives of the Josephite, Mercy, Good Samaritan, and Marist Sisters who discussed initiatives that are already taking place around the Diocese. They also reflected on further steps that individuals, parishes, agencies and the Diocese at large could take to respond to the accelerating crisis.
Those attending the table talk at the Bethany Centre, in Parramatta. Image: Supplied
During the session the group listened, reflected and shared conversations in the spirit and responded in practical and concrete ways to this complex issue.
Since the table talk took place, connections continue to be built for ongoing collaboration and networking. A working group is forming to research, reflect on and name some achievable goals and recommendations for future action.
It was a contemplative, vibrant and concrete process. Participants left the day with many questions for personal reflection and personal – as well as organisational – calls to action into the future.
The day originated from local experiences, conversations and the call to respond to the Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement 2025-2026, “Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving Homeless People with Mental Ill Health”, which reflected on how the Church must become a place of encounter, where people are not just helped, but befriended and embraced as equals. According to the statement, all are invited to notice those on the edge, truly get to know them, and walk with them in love.
The gathering included representatives of parish social justice groups, agencies such as Vinnies, and representatives of the Josephite, Mercy, Good Samaritan, and Marist Sisters. Image: Supplied
The table talk was an opportunity to pray, reflect, name and call for practical action and preventative measures, connecting in a concrete way with the priorities of our Diocesan Pastoral Plan, especially the call to “to identify the greatest needs in our community”, with homelessness and housing insecurity certainly being one of them.
It was a day of prayer, formation, and mission, listening, dialogue and discernment. We built community and opened opportunities for reflection and action on being an inclusive and welcoming Church that reaches to the margins in Western Sydney.
Above all, the table talk was a call to everyone to respond with compassion, courage, and hope. This is the work of us all as Church.
The table talk is an example of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer, Formation, Mission, and Listening, Dialogue & Discernment. Visit Synodality to learn more.
Sr Louise McKeogh FMA is a member of the Diocese of Parramatta’s Peace, Justice and Ecology team.
