High up in the Blue Mountains, where sandstone cliffs rise above valleys often wrapped in mist, seven church communities are slowly discovering what it means to become one.
Just a year and a half ago, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, issued a decree amalgamating the three parishes of Sacred Heart, Blackheath, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Katoomba, and Our Lady of the Nativity, Lawson, to form a new parish – the Catholic Parish of the Upper Blue Mountains, under the patronage of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
Fast forward to today, and the new parish comprising five worshipping communities and seven churches – the largest in the Diocese of Parramatta by geographical boundaries – is gradually finding its own identity.
In a fitting reflection of both its landscape and its emerging sense of unity, the communities of Blackheath, Mt Victoria, Megalong Valley, Lawson, Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls have affectionately dubbed themselves “The Seven Churches in the Mist”.
Yet, the meaning runs deeper than geography. It echoes the Seven Churches from the Book of Revelation – distinct communities, united by a shared faith and a common journey in Christ.
For Parish Priest Fr John McSweeney, together with Assistant Priests Frs Peter Lamont and Jessie Balorio and Deacon Alan Skofic, guiding this early chapter in the parish’s life is about nurturing that unity and helping the seven communities discover the richness of walking together as one.
Clergy and parish staff. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
Becoming One Family
For parishioner Pam Le Breton, the journey is deeply personal. Pam has been part of the parish community since she was 11 years old – 68 years of faith, service and belonging.
She has witnessed many changes over the decades, but sees the creation of the new parish as an opportunity for people to grow closer.
“When we come together as one parish, we can communicate easily with each other from all the different towns, unite and put our ideas together, and have got to know each other a lot better.”
Pam has experienced this growing connection through weekday Masses and her ministries as a sacristan, server and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. She has also met parishioners from other communities who take Communion to people in their homes.
Parishioner Paula Currie, who has been part of the Lawson church community since moving to Hazelbrook in 1998, describes this as an exciting new chapter.
“This is a very exciting time for the upper mountains church communities as we come together as one parish under the magnificent leadership of Fr John McSweeney along with his assistants, Fr Peter, Fr Jessie and Deacon Alan,” Paula said.
“I so look forward to what the future holds for us all.”
For Paula, unity is ultimately about belonging. She remembers the warmth her own family experienced when they first joined the Lawson Catholic community and hopes that same spirit will continue into the future.
“I would hope that the feeling of acceptance and friendship that my family experienced when newcomers to Lawson Catholic Church would continue through future generations,” she said, “so that a sense of now belonging to the Upper Mountains Parish would be experienced in many ways.”
Fr Jessie Balorio with Parishioners at the Blackheath Parish Hall. Image: Supplied
Unity Through Relationships and Faith
For Russell F. Smith, Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council and a parishioner of 25 years, becoming one parish is a journey rather than a single event.
While he was initially struck by the sheer size of the new parish, he also recognised the strength already present within its communities.
“I believe that there are a great many good and sincere Catholic members who make up our individual church communities and parish as a whole,” he said.
“People with simple yet deep faith.”
His words reflect the reality of the parish’s journey: growth through relationships, shared faith and a willingness to walk together.
One initiative helping bridge the distances between the communities is “Rediscovering the Value of Faith”, a series of faith formation sessions introduced by Deacon Alan with Tony and Maria Eade.
“They are a valuable source of integration as well as faith formation,” Deacon Alan said.
Yet, for him, the deepest source of unity is the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to relate to the Father and the Son but also others,” he said. “It restores the likeness we lost in the Fall and the more the Parish focuses in spirituality the closer we will grow.”
Parishioners are seen during the installation Mass of Fr John McSweeney as parish priest of the Catholic Parish of the Upper Blue Mountains at St Canice’s Church, Katoomba, on 1 November 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
One Parish, Many Stories
The story of the Catholic Parish of the Upper Blue Mountains is one of seven communities bringing their histories, traditions, experiences and gifts into a new chapter together.
Each community carries with it generations of faith, memories and traditions that continue to enrich the life of the new parish. Together, these stories are becoming part of a larger story – one that honours the richness of the past while embracing the possibilities of the future.
This article was originally published in the 2026 Season of Creation| Spring edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read it online here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
