Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park, a parish renowned for its warm welcome, celebrated 30 years of Augustinian ministry and its historic link to Pope Leo XIV with past and present clergy at Penrith RSL on Thursday 28 August.
Over a shared buffet, parishioners, friars and friends traded stories and gave thanks for three decades of community, hospitality and faith.
A legacy of faith
The Augustinians’ story in Australia began in 1838 when Fr James Alipius Goold, OSA arrived from Ireland; by 1842 he had helped establish the first Catholic church in Campbelltown.
Founded in 1981 under its first Parish Priest, Fr Brian Rooney, and supported by the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta, Holy Spirit Parish has been in Augustinian care since 1995.
From those beginnings to today’s Holy Spirit Parish, the same Augustinian vision, of seeking God together in “oneness of mind and heart,” continues to shape St Clair.
The celebration also coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Friends of St Augustine, St Clair this year.
Brotherhood and welcome in St Clair
Holy Spirit Parish’s Moderator Fr Percival Sevare OSA now serves with Assistant Pastors Fr Peter Tangey OSA, Fr Dave Austin OSA, and Fr Joseph (Saju) Aresseril OSA – priests who embody the Augustinian charism of “living together in oneness of mind and heart to search for God.”
(L-R) Current parish community priests Fr Dave Austin OSA, Fr Joseph (Saju) Aresseril, OSA, and Fr Peter Tangey, OSA during the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Augustinian community at Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park. Missing is Parish Moderator Fr Percival Sevare OSA. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
During the evening’s celebrations, Fr Peter Tangey OSA – now in his 62nd year of priesthood – recalled arriving with Fr Brendan Quirke OSA on 6 January 1995, and “falling in love with the people of St Clair.”
He paid tribute to Fr Brian Rooney, who built the parish “with the people, many of them flat out building their own homes and families”.
Assistant Priest Fr Peter Tangey OSA speaks during the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Augustinian community at Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
He also recalled how the community of Our Mother of Good Counsel started the tradition of Priory dinners, inviting parishioners to share a meal with the Augustinian priests in their home.
“The parish community quickly took to heart all the young men completing their journey to priesthood, rejoicing with them and sending them forth to ministry,” Fr Peter said.
He also noted the warm welcome shown to visiting leaders of the Order, including Prior Generals Fr Robert Prevost OSA and Fr Alejandro Moral Antón OSA.
“Little did we know in those days that Fr Robert would go on to become Pope Leo XIV,” Fr Peter said, noting that the Pope’s leadership has deepened St Clair’s connection to the wider Church.
Keynote speaker Fr Peter Jones OSA, Provincial of the Augustinians of Australasia, praised the parish’s diversity and warmth.
“Right from day one the Order has felt so welcomed by you. One very clear gift is the wonderful diversity of culture. One concrete example is your Parish Fiesta,” Fr Peter Jones said.
Fr Dave Austin OSA, Chaplain to the Friends of St Augustine and former Prior Provincial, added, “It’s an exciting place to be.”
Why parishioners love Holy Spirit St Clair
Patrice Moriarty has been a parishioner of Holy Spirit St Clair since birth. She said the Augustinians have taught her that “every person has inherent dignity and a story to be cherished”.
“You don’t always remember what people say, but you do remember how they make you feel, and they always make you feel loved,” Patrice said.
Dominic Dimech, a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, credited the Augustinians with a “strong sense of welcome”, adding that Augustinian spirituality gives him “a sense of peace and comfort” in his life.
Parishioners Dominic Dimech (left) and Patrice Moriarty at the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Augustinian community at Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park. Image: Isabell Petrinic/Diocese of Parramatta
Seaview Kama, another member of the Parish Pastoral Council, said the evening was not just a celebration of the past 30 years but “a chance to reflect on the values that brought us here”.
“Tonight, love is reflected in every smile, every story, and every shared moment,” she said.
Meanwhile, Vasco Gil, a father of five, credited the parish with accelerating his spiritual growth.
“Here I grew from a cultural Catholic to a practising Catholic,” he shared.
Parishioner Vasco Gil speaks during the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Augustinian community at Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Another parishioner, Fleur Mathias, gave a speech offering heartfelt tributes to past and present Augustinians for their humour, leadership, and pastoral care.
“We hope and pray for new vocations, so we can continue to live and serve God in the ways of St Augustine,” she said, recalling stories of past priests who have ministered in the parish.
Examples included Fr Brendan Quirke, who began the parish tradition of Friday night dinners; and Fr Peter Wieneke, who designed the large Good Friday cross to be passed overhead so everyone could share its weight, and who encouraged parishioners to undertake a two-year course in pastoral ministry.
Fleur summed it up beautifully: “We love you so much, Fathers. Each of you has left a lasting imprint on our hearts.”
You can view the photos on Flickr.
This celebration aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priority of Community, and the objective to be A Church Renewed in Spirit and Prayer, and an Inclusive and Welcoming Church. To learn more, visit Synodality.
