As the global Catholic Church continues on its pathway to synodality, Holy Cross Parish in Granville has already had the opportunity to walk together and listen to one another.
In September 2020, the two communities of Holy Trinity, Granville, and Holy Family, East Granville, were merged into one. Having a shared history that dated back into the mid-1880s, the parishes recognised that the merger would broaden and enliven their community to work together.
Members of the parish community explained that it wasn’t something that happened overnight, it was a process that was undertaken step by step.
“We didn’t refer to parish events by referring to individual parishes, but referred to them under the Granville Catholic Community, to create togetherness,” Parish Business and Projects Manager John Portelli explained.
“With a big change, it’s about the small steps you take along the way, so when the new parish was formed, nothing really changed. It had become the norm because we had been collaborating for five years leading up to it.
“For the parishioners, we might now be called Holy Cross Parish, but the ins and outs and running of the parish didn’t change.
“There were people that have been living in the area for a long time who may have attended only Holy Family Church or Holy Trinity Church and now were crossing between Churches saying, ‘I’ve never been to this Church before’, ‘I didn’t know this Church was here’,” he said.
Piety shop volunteer and parishioner of 16 years, Annette Wirz, added, “The parishioners help make the parish grow. They are committed to building a strong, God-loving and prayerful community.”
Parish “very blessed” to have Fr Andrew
The amalgamation wouldn’t have been possible without their shepherd, Fr Andrew Bass, who became Parish Priest in 2015.
“Fr Andrew is dedicated to giving so much to our parish and during his time with us, has helped to create so many new things, both devotional and social, to try to get people to come together and get involved,” long-term parishioners Spiro and Doris Portelli said.
Parishioners of Holy Cross Parish, Granville (L-R), Claudette Takchi, Annette Wirz, Doris Portelli, Spiro Portelli, Rosette Chidiac and John Portelli. Image: Holy Cross Parish Granville
Youth and Sacramental Coordinator Rosette Chidiac added, “Fr Andrew really utilises people’s skills. If I’ve got an idea and the skill set, he trusts in us, he doesn’t hold us back.”
Parish volunteer Claudette Takchi said, “He never says no to an idea. He gives a lot of time to our parish, and we’re very blessed to be led by him.”
Holy Week allows parish to “give their best to God”
Like many parishes, the variety of liturgies and devotions at Holy Cross invites parishioners to pray, reflect and celebrate during the whole of Holy Week, not just for a couple of days.
A highlight for many parishioners is Holy Thursday, where they go ‘above and beyond’ to prepare altars of repose for both churches that can take up to four days.
“[In Holy Week], there is a camaraderie between us. Sharing our resources between Holy Trinity and Holy Family, and giving each other ideas means we are giving our best to God,” John said.
Another way the parish comes together is during its Good Friday Cross Walk, which travels between Holy Trinity Church and Holy Cross Church. It was created as a way to bring the former parishes together.
John said, “We’ll start getting requests before Lent begins from parishioners to take part in the Walk – it’s not just that they’re offering their houses as stops, but they also take it upon themselves to create outdoor prayer spaces, or offer bottles of water to those taking part in the walk.
“It’s organic, it’s natural, it’s not requested or asked, people just instinctively do it because of the spirit of the occasion,” he said.
Rosette added, “If you want to see a testament of community, it’s that Cross Walk.
“Granville is full of various religions, and walking through the streets so publicly proclaiming your faith, people stop with reverence, even non-Catholics. People in cars do the sign of the cross, they turn down their music as they drive past, and they stop to let us cross the road. There’s always great reverence throughout the whole thing,” she said.
Granville to become a home for people at Easter
In inviting parishioners and members of the Diocesan community to see the Holy Cross Parish “at its best” during Holy Week, the parishioners hope that the joy of the Resurrected Christ enters their hearts.
“We see our churches filled throughout Holy Week, it would be nice to see these people continue to go to Mass during the year and get involved in the parish. Just as we have benefited from helping in the parish, so will they,” Spiro and Doris said.
“I hope that we all live our baptismal promises and be the face of Christ to all that we meet,” Claudette said.
“I hope parishioners will be drawn to get involved more in the parish and give what they can for the continued growth of the parish and for God Himself,” John said.
“I hope that this season inspires many more people to take this parish as their home,” Rosette said.
This article was originally published in the 2023 Lent and Easter | Autumn edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can pick up your copy of the magazine in parishes and offices across the Diocese of Parramatta now or you can read the digital version here.
