Solemn candles flickered on the steps of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta on Friday evening, 19 June, as community members gathered at a raw time to remember those who have died while experiencing homelessness.
Now in its third year, the Wrapped with Love Memorial Service continues to grow, and for the last two years, the event has come at a poignant time. In the last few weeks, two people known to the local community died. In 2025 moments before the memorial began, the news of a death of a local friend was announced.
“The death of people experiencing homelessness doesn’t make the news unfortunately,” said Fr Robert Riedling, Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
“Last year, when someone died 50 metres across the road [in Prince Alfred Park] just before our memorial began, it made the reason for the event even more essential,” he said.
Participants gathered in St Patrick’s Cathedral for the 2026 Wrapped in Love Homelessness Memorial Service. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Death is certainly a part of life. Many of us are privileged to comfort our loved ones in their final days, share the news with family and friends, organise or attend funerals, and find ways to update the Registry of births, deaths and marriages. For people who experience homelessness, dignity in death isn’t as forthcoming.
For those who work in and around Prince Alfred Park and the greater Parramatta area, such as Parramatta Mission, the Salvation Army, Heaven on Earth, the St Vincent de Paul Society and Thread Together, coming together to remember those they support, work with and are friends with is extremely important. They come to honour those who have died, too often overlooked in life and left without recognition in death.
Participants in prayer at the 2026 Wrapped in Love Homelessness Memorial Service. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Claire Pospischil from the Social Justice Team at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish has been spearheading this event with a group of dedicated people from the parish.
“Catholic Social Teaching calls us to recognise the dignity of every single person, care for the vulnerable, and work for the common good,” she said.
“As a ‘city church’ located next to Prince Alfred Park, we find ourselves at the heart of many urban social challenges, the key one being homelessness. We formed our Social Justice ministry in response to this to create a parish space where faith and action meet, and where we can champion justice, compassion and human dignity.”
According to Homelessness NSW the number of people sleeping rough in NSW has increased by 75% from 2020 to 2026 due to the lack of affordable housing and high cost of living and homelessness services are struggling to cope with increased demand.
Heaven on Earth ministry team from Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral Parish, Harris Park provided warm meals on the night. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
And the reasons why people are experiencing homelessness keeps on growing. Many would be forgiven for thinking that it’s only those who suffer from addiction or mental health issues. But volunteers and workers in this space are witnessing a shift.
“At one of the previous events I was volunteering at where we were offering meals and hospitality, I saw one of my colleagues in the queue,” said one volunteer who did not wish to be named.
“I had no idea they were sleeping rough. They were employed and receiving an income. That moment really affected me and made me reconsider my perspective,” they said.
Thread Together and Parramatta Mission handed out new clothing for those in need. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
The heartfelt and solemn memorial service began with a shared meal served by students from Parramatta Marist High School and Catherine McAuley Westmead, reflecting the growing involvement of young people in responding to homelessness within the local community.
Faith leaders, homelessness services, government representatives, support workers and local residents then filled the Cathedral Forecourt to pray, sing, and name those who have passed away.
Prayers and reflections were offered by Major Kylie Collinson from The Salvation Army Parramatta and Ramona Yammouni from Heaven on Earth, both organisations that work closely with people experiencing homelessness and social disadvantage.
The prayers of intercession focused on those sleeping rough, families struggling to afford housing, people living with mental illness, addiction and disability, and all who face poverty and marginalisation.
Fr Robert Pio at the 2026 Wrapped in Love Homelessness Memorial Service. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
One of the most moving moments of the evening came was when attendees were invited to light candles and place them on the Cathedral steps in memory of loved ones and friends who had died over the past year.
While the memorial recognised lives lost, it also served as a call to action. The parish team is now investigating the possibility of a homelessness shelter trial at the Cathedral Hall, exploring ways to provide temporary overnight accommodation alongside support services for people in need.
The Wrapped with Love Memorial Service was made possible through the collaboration of St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta Mission, Heaven on Earth, The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and Thread Together.
The Wrapped with Love Memorial aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Mission, and Community. Visit Synodality to learn more.
View the photo gallery on Flickr below.
