After the 8.30am Sunday Mass, parishioners of St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park, gathered in the chapel for a group photo. Smiles and laughter flowed easily among old friends. Finishing one another’s sentences, they pieced together cherished memories of a parish community that has been their spiritual home for nearly seven decades.
This ‘Seniors Group’, which recently marked its 25th anniversary, has been the backbone of the parish as it approaches its 70th anniversary in 2026. Among them are Frank Rowland, father of Australia’s current Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, and families like the Fields, whose sons Paul, John and Anthony – better known as the Blue Wiggle – were founding members of the band The Cockroaches.
Their stories of faith and friendship sit alongside those of a new generation now finding a spiritual home at St Bernadette’s.
Parishioner Alilia Sakopo, with her husband and children at St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Back to the beginning
At 95, Kevin Sloane, the eldest of the Seniors “by six months,” took us back to 1958 when Mass was first celebrated by Fr Bernard Massey of Blacktown in the local Memorial Hall. “We’d clean it first,” he laughed, remembering how families arrived in a procession of prams “because nobody had cars in those days”.
By February 1960, the first church-school opened on the school grounds next door. “The building was in the form of a cross,” Kevin said. “They’d bring the blinds down after Mass for it to be the school.”
Beside Kevin sat his contemporaries: Pauline Boys, the “younger” 95-year-old; Frank Rowland and Marie Tonissoo, both 93; and Jan Weaver, 86.
Members of the ‘Seniors Group’ at St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park: (L-R) Marie Tonisso, Pauline Boys, Jan Weaver, Frank Rowland, and Kevin Sloane. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Building a parish family
The Lalor Park Parish was officially established in February 1961 with the arrival of its first Parish Priest, Fr Hugh Leonard. The Sisters of St Joseph began teaching at the new primary school that same year, and by 1963, a convent was built.
“Fr Leonard used to call the area ‘Labour Park’, there were so many kids,” Kevin said. Jan added, “We have 35 children just among us five.”
The early parish was vibrant with families, sports teams, picnics, walkathons and car rallies. To fundraise, parishioners ran a bingo-style game called Cash Housie from 1951 to 2000.
There was also the famous “250 Club,” where 250 members paid $2 a week for 20 weeks. Each month, a winner received $10 and, on the final draw, the prize was a Holden car. Kevin still remembers being one of the lucky winners.
Parishioners spoke fondly of Fr Leonard’s kindness: giving people lifts, paying rent for struggling families, even slipping Lotto tickets into greeting cards.
Shepherds of St Bernadette’s
Fr Leonard was followed by Fr Tim Crowley, Fr Andrew Robinson, Fr John Paul Escarlan, and current Parish Priest Fr Clifford D’Souza MSFS, who arrived in 2023.
Under Fr Tim’s leadership, the current St Bernadette’s Church was built and blessed by Bishop Bede Heather in 1981.
“Small in number, mighty in faith” sums up the parish well. As one parishioner recalled Fr Andrew often saying: “It’s a boutique parish.”
A view of the altar and sacred space at St Bernadette’s church, Lalor Park. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
From Generation to Generation
Jan reflected on the changes she has seen: “People leave, people go to God. But there are a lot of young people coming through now. It’s very multicultural, whereas it used to be all Irish Australians.”
Volunteer service has long characterised parish life. In earlier years, the group was active in the Legion of Mary and supported the Josephites, while Kevin has faithfully served as president of the parish St Vincent de Paul Society since 1961. Reflecting on his decades of service, he said humbly, “I think that’s part of the Catholic faith”.
That same spirit is alive in the younger generation. At the 10am Mass, brothers Harrison and Aidan Barbin ran the slideshow presentation.
Harrison, 15, a student at St John Paul II Catholic College who also serves at the altar, said: “I come here to get things off my chest. I like to have something to believe in, someone to talk to. Here we’ve got a good priest, good people.”
Barbin brothers Aidan (left) and Harrison during Mass at St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Faith for the future
That spirit of welcome and peace continues to draw new parishioners. Among them was 18-year-old Justin Spiteri, holding his two-and-a-half-year-old niece Violet, alongside her father, Bryan Naing. Justin, who joined after COVID, said what kept him here was “the quiet.” He smiled and added, “It’s an older population but peaceful.” Bryan agreed: “It’s calm, more traditional, which I like.”
Parishioners Bryan Naing (right) and Justin Spiteri, holding his two-and-a-half-year-old niece, Violet, following Mass at St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Deacon Jerome Emmanuel describes the parish as “very welcoming”, adding, “The Seniors do a wonderful job – they’re deeply engaged and set a great example for the whole community.”
This article was originally published in the 2025 Season of Creation | Spring edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
