St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill held its biggest hamper drive in 20 years, with 580 Christmas hampers lovingly donated, packed, wrapped, blessed and distributed to individuals and families who might be struggling this time of year.
Two charities, five local Catholic schools and hundreds of parishioners were involved in this year’s hamper drive, which aims to support those struggling this Christmas. St Vincent de Paul NSW and the Diocese’s social welfare agency, Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains distributed them to their clients.
St Bernadette’s Parish Priest, Vicar General of the Diocese of Parramatta, and Episcopal Vicar of Social Welfare, Fr Fernando Montano, told Hope Radio 103.2 that it was wonderful to continue to see so many people in the Western Sydney and Hills Shire community support the initiative and help those in need. He said he prayed over the hampers to bless those who received them.
“People will see God’s hand in it as they receive the gift of that hamper, a sign of God’s presence in our lives,” he said.
“That means God is looking after them.”
Catholic Care’s Community Engagement Coordinator Lisa Malcher also told Hope Radio that the demand for help this year is unprecedented.
“It just brings Christmas spirit into their homes, and it’s one thing that they don’t have to worry about what their paychecks are being spread so thin as it is, so they’re very, very much appreciated,” Lisa said.
Fr Fernando blesses the Christmas hampers at St Bernadette’s. Image: Dennis Frketic, F Studio Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
Attending this year’s hamper blessing included Member for Castle Hill, Mark Hodges MP, as well as Vinnies’ representative and long-time volunteer, Carole Walton and her husband Andrew.
Member for Castle Hills Mark Hodges MP, Carole Walton (Vinnies), and Fr Fernando Montano. Image: Dennis Frketic, F Studio Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
Hampers were distributed the following day, with a truck-load delivered to program coordinator Lisa Malcher at Catholic Care’s community drop-in centre at Mamre House and Farm, Orchard Hills.
Check out the full story about St Bernadette’s Christmas Hamper Drive in the Summer 2024 edition of Catholic Outlook magazine.
View the gallery of photos of the Christmas Hamper Blessing on our Flickr page or below.
