St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta became a beacon of joy and spiritual renewal on Sunday 9 March 2025, as an unprecedented 124 adults elected to become a Catholic.
The joyous celebration called the Rite of Election is a pivotal step in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program which is a journey of faith and conversion. The extraordinary number of soon-to-be Catholics, called ‘catechumens’ highlighted the deep spiritual hunger and commitment of the community, marking a new chapter in the Diocese of Parramatta’s ongoing faith journey.
Bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, celebrated the exultant occasion with the catechumens, their families and friends; as they signed their names in the Book of Elect for the first time – an essential part of their transformative journey that will involve the catechumens being baptised, confirmed and receiving the Eucharist for the first time.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta addresses the congregation, and the 124 adults elected to become a Catholic. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta.
Bishop Vincent described the feeling of seeing the catechumens as one of “great joy”.
“This year the Diocese in Parramatta has received an unprecedented number of new members, 124 to be exact.”
“Thank you candidates and catechumens for your response to the call.”
Reflections on the journey to become Catholic
Seventeen-year-old Zane travelled more than 40 kilometres from his parish of St Monica’s Richmond to attend the ceremony in Parramatta. Accompanied by his parents and family, Zane explained what fuelled his journey to become a Catholic.
“I was raised Protestant my whole life,” he said.
“After doing more research, I became open to the Catholic Church and started attending St Monica’s. My cousin followed me a couple of weeks later.”
Asked what being a Catholic meant to him, Zane said, “I think it means being a part of the body of Christ.
“There’s a long history and to know that your part of the Church that was founded back in 33AD.
“You have this whole line and history of Catholics and saints and priests and bishops and they’re all part [it].”
Zane from St Monica’s Church, Parish of Richmond. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Married couple Zheng Yu Yang (John) and Areum Leon (Christine) migrated to Australia from Korea, and joined St Anthony of Padua Parish Toongabbie last Christmas.
They were keen to become Catholic primarily for their young son, Jace.
“When we were young, we were actually very busy and didn’t get a chance to go to church on Sundays,” John said.
“Now we have Jace, we want to bring him into this faith because it’s very friendly and very forgiving as well.”
“We want to teach him the way of the Lord.”
“We try to block out Saturdays to go to Mass, pray and enjoy the time with the fellow parish community.” Christine added, “It’s really important that we have community, faith and love.”
“It gives us peace of mind instead of every day just working and getting stressed.”
Married couple Zheng Yu Yang (John) and Areum Leon (Christine) with their son Jace, from St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Patricia and Bill Ryan, part of the Toongabbie RCIA team, attended as sponsors of John and Christine on their faith journey.
They explained how they got involved with the Catholic faith.
“The priest asked us if we would be interested in helping to introduce some people to the faith.
“We’re both long time Catholics so we thought we must do something about it, so we took it on,” Patricia said.
Patricia shared that she enjoyed the “peace of mind that comes with knowing that God is with you, as well as the companionship of being involved.”
John added, “It’s about being very much part of the community. That is what it’s all about.”
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Catholic, please visit the Diocese of Parramatta website.
View the full gallery of photos on Flickr.
