The parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, have a special reason to celebrate this Advent, with the opening of their extensively renovated church and dedication of their new altar.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv was a priest at the parish from 1998 to 2002, before he was ordained Bishop of the Diocese. He was warmly welcomed back to a church full of parishioners to celebrate the Mass and reopening of the building.
He opened his remarks during the balmy evening service by congratulating and noting the accomplishment of Parish Priest Fr Alejandro López OFM Conv, a Conventual Franciscan, in overseeing and moving the 14-year project to its completion for the benefit of current and future generations.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, speaks during the reopening and rededication of the altar at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“I congratulate him, the [Conventional Franciscan] Friars [at Kellyville], the architects and builders … and all who are associated with this magnificent project,” Bishop Vincent added.
Fr Alejandro, for the most part of the service, could be seen smiling from ear to ear.
“My heart, like yours, I’m sure, is overflowing with gratitude,” Fr Alejandro told his flock during the beautiful service.
Parish Priest Fr Alejandro López OFM Conv, speaks during the reopening and rededication of the altar at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“This is a special place, a holy place. Because of your generosity and sacrifices, this building will remain as a lasting legacy long after we are gone.”
High praise from Parishioners after major upgrade
Mary Saliba has been a Parishioner at Our Lady of the Rosary for more than 30 years.
She, along with so many, was visibly impressed with the church redesign, particularly the architectural modernity and the spaciousness.
She especially welcomed the addition of new ramps and indoor accessible toilets for people, like her daughter Frances, who are wheelchair-bound.
Mary Saliba and her daughter Frances at the reopening and rededication of the altar at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Elisha Fernando, 18, who was there with her brother Ethan, said the new church design was “really inviting”.
Also in the pews were three generations of the Calangi-Magnaye family. “We like the new choir setup and crucifix,” said Mary Jane, speaking for her entire family.
Church makeover 14 years in the making
“Seeing this project come to life is one of the proudest moments of my career,” project architect Vince Alafaci, of ACME Potts Point, commented after the service.
“Experiencing the blessing by Bishop Vincent, hearing the choir, watching the smiles and feeling the joy, it was absolutely electric,” the ACME director further remarked.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, consecrates the altar with oil during the reopening and rededication of the altar at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
He applauded Fr Alejandro’s tenacity and determination to deliver their shared vision for a contemporary place of worship.
The project began 14 years ago when Mr Alafaci was introduced by a family friend to then Parish Priest, Fr Emmanuel Gatt, and a renovation plan was submitted to the local council.
Acquiring land for additional car parking was a criteria of approval. Fr Emmanuel left and was replaced by Bishop Vincent (in those days Fr Vincent) and ultimately Fr Alejandro who brought the plan to fruition.
“Fourteen years in the making was well worth it just for this moment” — project architect, Vince Alafaci
“Despite multiple attempts to resurrect the project, it was only when Fr Alejandro became Parish Priest that the project gained momentum,” Mr Alafaci recounted.
A view of the newly renovated Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Project manager George Mihailou, of Interior Construction Group Pty Ltd, said the final build took 13 months to complete.
“There were several challenges which included COVID, resource shortages due to COVID, and council approval delays,” Mr Mihailou said.
“The area which is most interesting is the altar with the new tiles, new altar table and new crucifix, particularly because of the existing stained glass in the background which makes it stand out… when the sun shines through during different times of the day.”
A view of the newly renovated Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Happy Birthday Bishop Long
The ceremony was followed by a great party in the school hall, giving parishioners a welcome opportunity to catch up and reminisce over a light supper.
At the after party, parishioners heartily sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Bishop Vincent, whose birthday was the following day, and who, he says, “always feels at home” at the parish.
What’s changed?
Spatially:
- landscaped forecourt/contemplation space
- new porte cochère (main entry to the church)
- new main entry vestibule (acting as a crying room and overflow area during peak mass times)
- north and south areas: new sacristy, alter server change room, piety store, confessionals, store rooms, and patron amenities including accessible toilets and a kitchenette
- new altar table, crucifix, sanctuary and pulpit, dedicated choir area, glass entries to the church including a secondary entrance
- refurbished baptismal font
- new accessible ramps from both entries
Materially
- air conditioning upgrade
- new outdoor lighting
- new audio visual, sound, technology (streaming capabilities)
- new flooring/joinery throughout the existing church
- refurbished pews
What was retained?
- 8-pointed star floor plan configuration
- roof structure
- stained glass
- sanctuary space
Rewatch the ceremony via the Our Lady of the Rosary Facebook page here.
View images of the Our Lady of the Rosary Church Reopening and Rededication of the Altar here and below:
