Staff of the parishes of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains have been honoured and recognised for their dedicated service throughout 2025.
As Advent and Christmas approached, around 40 parish staff were joined by members of Chancery in reflection and thanksgiving on Wednesday 26 November at the Edmund Rice Retreat Centre, Mulgoa.
Parish teams “enable God’s work to be done”
In his welcoming remarks, Diocesan Chief of Operations Geoff Officer said the event was an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for the hard-working members of our parishes, and to “have our hearts filled with gratitude”.
“Today, we are ultimately celebrating your vocation,” he said. “You’re the driving force of a parish.
“You are at the coalface of parish life: being empathetic when someone has lost a loved one, or warm and delighted when someone walks in and says, ‘can I have my baby baptised?’, all the while answering the phone and making a cup of tea for visitors.
Chief of Operations Geoff Officer. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“My sister-in-law, who until recently was serving as an accountant in a parish, said that strong administration is vital because it enables the pastoral side to assist and flourish.
“Among the interruptions to our work, we need to stop and say, ‘I’m a person that’s enabling God’s work to be done’.
“Thank you for your love and prayer you demonstrate in your roles every day among God’s people and thank you for the support and partnership you give to your priests.”
Christmas reflection
To prepare the parish staff for the upcoming season, Fr Peter Blayney, Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Parish, Guildford, reflected on Christmas through the eyes of two of his favourite saints – St Augustine of Hippo and St John Henry Newman.
“That day is called the birthday of the Lord on which the wisdom of God manifested Himself as a speechless child, and the Word of God wordlessly uttered the sound of a human voice,” Fr Peter said, quoting St Augustine.
“St John Henry Newman explained that there is a link between the birth of Christ and the fall of Adam and Eve into original sin.
“What Christmas does, what the work of Jesus does, is redeems the fall. When God first came into the world to create this beautiful world, humanity then partly rejected that with the fall of Adam and Eve. The second time God comes back through the birth of Jesus is to fix things anew, to redeem humanity’s fallen state.
“The first Christmas wasn’t the end, though, but the beginning in as much as it remains for us to complete the work of redemption in ourselves.
“May we learn to mature all grace within us – fear, trembling, watching and repenting – because Christ is coming, – joyful, thankful and careless of the future, because He is come.”
Fr Peter Blayney, Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Parish, Guildford, delivers a Christmas reflection. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Reflecting on the readings during Mass at Christmas, Fr Peter then explored the messages in Luke’s account of the birth of Christ.
“Luke describes the birth in really one verse, and then emphasises other aspects of the birth of Jesus. His theme, in this gospel, is to emphasise the margins, the peripheries.
“Jesus is already on the margins, even before he is born, having been born in a manger on the outskirts of Bethlehem.
“The shepherds were to whom the first message was given of the birth of Jesus because they were on the margins themselves, they were outsiders, they were people who were rejected from society.
“Calling Jesus the Saviour is profound for Luke, because this is then, as Newman explained, the reversal of the fall into original sin.
“For Luke, saviour means God is doing what he said he wouldn’t – God is faithful, God is present, God is saving us.”
Catholic Care reaching out to the community
Helen Emmerson, Executive Director of Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, showcased the work that the social welfare agency of the Diocese does in our community, including family support, counselling, assisting young mothers and women over 55 at risk of homelessness.
“Catholic Care is in a time of thriving,” she said.
“We provide a lot of services, but we’re always looking for where is that unmet need in our community and what else does our community need from us?
Helen Emmerson, Executive Director of Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains showcases the work of the social welfare agency of the Diocese. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“You in the parishes are an untapped source of individuals and families that may need support.
“If you have a parishioner that comes to you with questions or needing assistance, we have a really good assessment and understanding of what is happening in the community, and if we can’t help, we can refer them to other services and offer follow-ups.”
Long-term staff honoured
Parish staff who have celebrated anniversaries of service were acknowledged and presented with a small gift from Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, on behalf of the Diocese.
Beverley Baxter, who was honoured for her 30 years of service to St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park, said that she has enjoyed her time working for the parish.
“You grow to know everyone in the parish through various interactions,” she said. “You’ve got to have compassion and be open to listening to them.
Beverly Baxter, parish secretary at St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park. Image: Supplied
“Every week brings something different. We’re all good workers in the office and we support each other.
“It’s good to know that you’re helping to do good work for the Church and that you’re a great help to the priest.
“It’s my own parish, so I’m proud to serve it.”
For Tanya Cassar, her role at St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens, is the “reason I get up every morning” for 15 years.
“It’s such a rewarding job,” she said.
“I’m here for the people, and it’s been amazing watching people go through significant milestones.
Tanya Cassar, parish secretary at St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens, with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“Watching the parish grow during my time here has been so rewarding.
“I’m so grateful and blessed in my role.”
We thank these staff members for their dedication and commitment to sharing the Good News in their own unique way:
30 Years
Beverley Baxter – St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park
20 Years
Colleen Nicholas – Sacred Heart Parish, Luddenham-Warragamba
15 Years
Tanya Cassar – St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens
Allison Hamilton – St Monica’s Parish, North Parramatta
10 Years
Betty Cheung – Parish of Baulkham Hills
Marcella Copas – St Patrick’s Parish, Guildford
Michelle Sultana – St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong
5 Years
Anthony Aarts – St John Vianney Parish, Doonside
Joanne Habib – St Bernadette’s Parish, Dundas Valley
Rodney Howard – St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith
Richard Kemmis – Parish of the Upper Blue Mountains
Joy Martin – Parish of the Upper Blue Mountains
The recognition of our parish staff aligns with our Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Community, Formation and our objectives to be a Church renewed in Spirit and Prayer.
View images from the Parish Secretaries’ day on Flickr.
