The installation Mass for Fr Wim Hoekstra at Blacktown recently was by no means his first as Parish Priest – he was ordained almost 50 years ago – but for him this latest appointment is just as meaningful as the others.
The large, diverse community at Mary Queen of the Family Parish Blacktown, excited to welcome Fr Wim, gathered at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown on 20 October 204 to witness his installation by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, installs Fr Wim Hoekstra EV as Parish Priest of Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
During his homily Bishop Vincent said that Fr Wim “leaves the familiar shores of Baulkham Hills to start the new phase of his journey at the Blacktown Parish”.
Fr Wim thanked the parish for accepting him as their new priest, but added jokingly “you don’t have any choice”, which brought laughter from the congregation.
“This Church is a community that is diverse, multicultural and represented by different nations. We’re very grateful for the people who are here from all different walks of life. I look forward to working with you all to achieve the mission of the Church,” he said.
Fr Wim Hoekstra EV speaks during his installation Mass as Parish Priest of Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Fr Wim’s deep experience
After the Mass Fr Wim shared his background and experience at many different parishes in Sydney.
“I was born in Holland, migrating from the Netherlands to Australia in 1959. I grew up in Mount Pritchard and entered the seminary at Springwood in 1972. I was ordained at St Mary’s Cathedral in 1978 then served in the parish of Revesby,” Fr Wim said.
“In 1981 I went overseas and studied in at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Israel for three and a half years, returning in 1985 to teach biblical studies at the Catholic Institute of Sydney, then situated at the seminary at St Patrick’s College Manly.
Since 1991, Fr Wim has served at many parishes including St Clair, Cranebook, Penrith, Castle Hill, Cathedral Parish Parramatta, Glenbrook, Baulkham Hills and now Blacktown. He has also held several roles within the Diocese of Parramatta, and is currently the Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, and the Nihil Obstat for Catholic Outlook Magazine.
Fr Wim Hoekstra EV during his installation Mass as Parish Priest of Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“I was expecting to retire at Baulkham Hills then Bishop Vincent asked me to come here. I’m happy to come here to Mary Queen of the Family Parish Blacktown. It’s a very loving, very caring parish. There’s a lot of work to do of course, it’s a big area,” said Fr Wim.
Asked what his hopes for the parish were, he said, “I think the missionary aspect of it is very important. We find that there are many people who are missing from the church and to reach out to those, especially families with children.”
“The mission of Jesus Christ is there to preach, to teach and to sanctify and that’s really, if you like, what the role of the priest is. So, in a sense, it’s a mission that’s really challenging today, especially in cultures, like an Australian culture where faith is there but at the same time the practise isn’t.”
Fr Wim Hoekstra EV greets parishioners following his installation Mass as Parish Priest of Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Parishioners celebrate two special occasions
After Mass, the parish held a sausage sizzle and organised a special cake for Fr Wim. Bishop Vincent shared a few more words and other parishioners shared their excitement for the next chapter for the parish.
“It’s really lovely to have a Parish Priest after six months when the former Parish priest, Fr Regi Lavilla departed,” said young parishioner, Joel Agius.
“We can now move forward with stability. We can focus on the needs of the church and make the parish the best community of Blacktown, with the support of a good team,” he said.
Parishioners celebrated Fr Wim Hoekstra EV’s installation as Parish Priest of Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown with a cake following Mass. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Sudanese-Australian parishioner Hanan Kuku said, “I arrived in 2006 as a refugee from Sudan and have been a member of the parish since then.”
“I am very happy with the parish and feel lucky to have a priest like Fr Wim. He is very friendly.”
The parish was treated to two special occasions, as they also marked Fr Ed Kenny’s 86th birthday, singing happy birthday.
View images from Fr Wim’s installation here or below.
