Paul Rohan joined Sacred Heart Parish more than 40 years ago when he and his wife moved into the area and began attending Mass at St Mary’s Mulgoa – one of the four churches in the sprawling parish. Back then, he remembers it was “just like a country town, very friendly”, where many of their neighbours all attended church together.
Over the years, the countryside has become more urban as more and more houses have sprung up. But the friendliness and sense of belonging have remained strong features of the parish as it has grown.
The four distinct churches of Sacred Heart Parish. Holy Family Centre, Luddenham; St Mary’s Church, Mulgoa; Sacred Heart Church, Warragamba; and St Francis Xavier Church and Cemetery, Greendale.
“The current parish is made up of parishioners from every walk of life, many of them having English as a second language,” says Paul, adding that Masses are also held in Italian and Spanish.
“The parish is very unique, not too many have four churches, all used from time to time.”
A history of welcome
The parish was formed in 1952, at the time the township of Warragamba was starting to expand with workers who were constructing the nearby dam.
However, the history of worship in the parish goes back more the two centuries to 1818, when the first church was built in the nearby town of Greendale.
The church of St Mary’s at Mulgoa dates from 1892 and is the oldest of the four churches still standing in the parish – the others are Sacred Heart at Warragamba, Holy Family at Luddenham and St Francis Xavier at Greendale.
The Parish Priest, Fr Shinto Francis, has been at the parish for only several months, but already he is feeling at home. He spent a short time at the parish in 2023 and was surprised that so many parishioners remembered him when he returned.
“From the very first day, parishioners reached out with genuine kindness and heartfelt gestures that made it easy for me to settle right back into parish life,” he says.
“Deacon Charles Abela, the parish staff and those in various ministries make a great parish team. There’s a wonderful sense of community here, and I’m truly grateful to be part of it once again.”
Parish Priest Fr Shinto Francis and Deacon Charles Abela. Image: Donna Laurianto/threetwoone photography/Diocese of Parramatta
He says there are “many wonderful things happening” in the parish at the moment, especially the involvement of young people in parish life.
One of the recent highlights was the installation of 14 new junior altar servers.
“Our youth group is also flourishing and reaching out into local schools, helping young people connect their faith with everyday life,” Fr Shinto says.
“It’s also a real joy to see so many young families attending Mass regularly – we’re blessed with quite a number of children and toddlers in our congregation.”
Fr Shinto Francis installs new altar servers during the Mass at Holy Family Church, Luddenham. Image: Donna Laurianto/threetwoone photography
‘It truly feels like a family’
Parishioner Leia Ruzic says the presence of young families and their children fills the parish “with so much joy and life – it truly is wonderful to see”.
She has been in the parish nine years and in that time has become a reader, an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and now leads a parish choir.
Leia Ruzic, parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, Luddenham-Warragamba. Image: Supplied
“Being involved in the parish makes me feel whole,” she says. “It fills my soul with joy knowing I can serve where God needs me.
“Everyone is so welcoming and supportive, it truly feels like a family.”
Grace Buda, who joined the parish more than 50 years ago and volunteers doing whatever she can, says “the love, togetherness and family outlook” of others is what she most enjoys about Sacred Heart Parish.
Paul agrees. He is a member of several parish committees and says the parish is blessed with “so many volunteers from all walks of life that take on a range of duties to add to the parish family”.
Grace Buda and Paul Rohan, long-term parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish, Luddenham-Warragamba. Image: Supplied
Fr Shinto has noticed that regardless of how long people have been at the parish, there is a strong sense of belonging – people know each other and “there are really no strangers among us”.
“There’s a great sense of enthusiasm and commitment that runs through the parish and that energy is truly inspiring.”
‘Connecting with his parishioners’
Paul says all the parish priests he has known over the years have brought their own “special gifts to us”, and Fr Shinto is no different. “His homilies and his awareness of the parish needs” are two things that stand out already.
Leia agrees that Fr Shinto’s homilies are a stand-out. “Sometimes they make us laugh, sometimes they make us reflect deeply, but they always share the Gospel in such a meaningful and inspiring way.
“It’s also wonderful to see a priest that truly loves connecting with his parishioners.”
Parish Priest Fr Shinto Francis (centre) with parishioners following his installation Mass at Holy Family Church, Luddenham, as part of Sacred Heart Parish, Luddenham-Warragamba, in July 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
For Grace, Fr Shinto is always ready to listen and is “very kind and generous with this time”.
Importance of Advent and Christmas
One of the special events in the parish during the season Advent and Christmas is the children’s Christmas Mass, where young ones dress up as shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph and more – “bringing the story of Jesus’ birth to life in such a beautiful way… it’s a beautiful reminder of the meaning of Christmas,” Leia says.
Another highlight is the end-of-year dinner for all parishioners that “is always filled with much laughter and joy”, she says.
This article was originally published in the 2025 Advent & Christmas | Summer edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
