On Sunday 7 December at a special Mass for Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv announced that the Diocese of Parramatta has purchased land in the centre of Blacktown City, directly adjacent to the soon-to-be-developed, Blacktown Quarter – a $2 billion redevelopment vision from Walker Corporation and Blacktown City Council that will create a vibrant new heart for one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in Australia.
Bishop Vincent made the announcement with Parish Priest, Fr Wim Hoesktra and special guests Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting, CEO of Blacktown City Council, Kerry Robinson OAM and CEO of Walker Corporation, David Gallant.
The Diocese will build a new Church and state-of-the-art Catholic precinct in the heart of the new city.
“From this new spiritual home, the Parish will be able to welcome new families and reach out more effectively to those on the margins; strengthen liturgical, catechetical, and community life; deepen partnerships for service with organisations in the civic centre; and be a daily visible sign of God’s presence in the heart of the city,” said Bishop Vincent.
“It will ensure our Catholic community will remain visible, accessible, and engaged in the life of the city for generations to come,” he said.
An artist’s impression of the new Blacktown Quarter. Image: Supplied
Upon completion, the Parish of Blacktown – Mary, Queen of the Family – with its strong and diverse history and faith community, will be relocating its two sites (St Patrick’s and St Michael’s) to return to the civic centre where St Patrick’s Parish was originally located. The Parish will be a vibrant space where faith, community and city life come together for over 10,600 Catholics and all who call Blacktown home.
In his address, Fr Wim acknowledged the rich and diverse history of the parish, including the significant changes faced by the parish over the last two decades.
“Our previous parishes of St Michael’s and St Patrick’s have gone through a lot of change over the last few decades. In 2014, the two parishes were merged into one, and there was talk of a new basilica in 2016 to be situated near the Bishop Bede Heather Centre,” he said.
He expressed the desire for the parish to journey together to help shape the new Church.
“For some, this might seem like too much change, for others it’s an exciting opportunity to be part of the new city of Blacktown. And for others, this might seem like the fruition of the conversations in 2016 about a new Blacktown Church.
“Today’s partnership announcement is the beginning of this project. We want to journey with you as we go through this project, gathering as much feedback and helpful advice to help shape our new Church,” he said.
Parishioners in discussion with a Walker Corporation representative following the announcement of the Blacktown Quarter project at St Patrick’s Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting affirmed Council’s commitment to the project and the Parish.
“Council will be with you every step of the way,” he said.
“Blacktown Quarter will be a place that people will work, have a great education, great health, a place for you to gather with family and friends… and because of today’s announcement, it will be a place of faith, of spiritual leadership, here in Blacktown.”
CEO of Walker Corporation, David Gallant echoed this sentiment.
“Communities are anchored by Christianity. If you look at the Blacktown community, it’s not only the multiculturalism and the scale of this community, but it’s also the large Catholic faith.”
“You’re a great community provider, you help the community. You provide a sense of place, a sense of security. With the council, we’re very pleased to be able to work with the church in collaboration to get into the heart of Blacktown, as you are the heart of the community,” he said.
Bishop Vincent (centre left) with the clergy of Mary, Queen of the Family Parish: Fr Stephen Onyekwere (third left), Fr Wim Hoekstra (centre right) and Fr Tom Green (third right) and the Degollacion family following the announcement of the Blacktown Quarter project at St Patrick’s Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Parishioners were invited to speak with the special guests along with members from Walker Corporation and Blacktown Council.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, today shared his pastoral letter reflecting on this new chapter for the parish community.
Bishop Vincent’s pastoral letter
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
After prayerful discernment and broad consultation, which has taken several years, I am writing to you today to announce a decision of great significance to the Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
You may be aware that Blacktown City Council and Walker Corporation are developing what is to be known as Blacktown Quarter – situated in the heart of the Blacktown shopping precinct. The Diocese of Parramatta has purchased land within Blacktown Quarter, with a view to creating a Catholic presence, including a new Church for Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown, thus bringing together its two communities of St Patrick’s and St Michael’s into the one place of worship.
Blacktown is a significant parish in one of Australia’s fastest-growing areas. As the geographical centre of our Diocese, one of the most multicultural areas, and the largest local government area in NSW, Blacktown will continue to grow naturally with urban development, population growth and its proximity to the new Western Sydney airport and Aerotropolis.
The Catholic Church in Blacktown has had a rich and proud history. From St Brigid’s at Prospect to the growth and establishment of St Michael’s Parish and St Patrick’s Parish, which itself was originally located in the centre of the civic, commercial and retail life of Blacktown. Since then, the thriving, diverse congregation of Mary, Queen of the Family has been involved in many areas in the community – from health, education, social services to welcoming migrants and refugees and helping those on the margins.
The redevelopment of Blacktown City Centre over the next 5 – 10 years creates a unique opportunity for our Catholic Church to be at the heart of where people gather – near transport links, public services, retail, workplaces and community spaces. Purchasing land in this central location ensures that our Catholic community will remain visible, accessible, and engaged in the life of the city for generations to come.
Image: Supplied
Being in the centre of civic life is a providential opportunity for evangelisation, mission and service. Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden.” (Mt 5:14). By situating the parish in a visible and accessible location, we seek to shine Christ’s light where people naturally gather.
From this new spiritual home, we will be able to welcome new families and reach out more effectively to those on the margins; strengthen liturgical, catechetical, and community life; deepen partnerships for service with organisations in the civic centre; and be a daily visible sign of God’s presence in the heart of the city.
By consolidating two historic churches into one new parish community, we are not closing churches. We are building a stronger, more vibrant spiritual home capable of meeting modern pastoral needs. This decision allows us to focus our resources on a mission-driven presence in the heart of civic life.
Members of the congregation at St Patrick’s Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Both existing churches have been sacred places where countless baptisms, marriages, funerals, confirmations, and daily encounters with Christ have taken place. Their history will not be forgotten. As bishop, I reaffirm that the life and witness of the faithful who built and sustained these communities remain foundational to our future.
Brothers and sisters,
Change is never easy, especially when it touches places we love deeply. Yet throughout our history, the Church has grown stronger when we have listened to the Holy Spirit and courageously responded to the needs of the time.
I ask all the faithful to enter this new chapter with patience, trust and courage. Let us remember:
- We are not abandoning our past – we are carrying it forward.
- We are not losing our identity – we are renewing our mission.
- We are not closing communities – we are uniting as one body in Christ.
- We are responding to the signs of the times and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The return to the heart of this important city is a unique opportunity for us to be the Church in mission, for the parish and for the whole Diocese.
I thank all who have eagerly participated in this endeavour, in particular our partners at Blacktown City Council and Walker Corporation, who recognised the need for the Diocese of Parramatta, its people and ministries to be present and involved in the heart of the new Blacktown City Centre. We willingly accept this involvement.
With this development, may Mary, Queen of the Family Parish continue to be a haven of welcome, a centre of mission and outreach, and a beacon of Christ’s love in the heart of our civic community. I entrust this endeavour to the intercession of Our Lady under her title of Mary, Queen of the Family, the saints who have guided our diocese, and the faithful generations whose prayers have brought us to this moment.
With gratitude for your faith and collaboration.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Bishop Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv
Bishop of Parramatta
For more information or to sign up for project updates, visit mqofblacktown.org.au/BlacktownProject
