There was a strong attendance at Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) Church in Rouse Hill on Friday 2 May, as hundreds of parishioners, school communities and clergy gathered with joy to mark the 10th anniversary of the church’s Dedication.
The special Mass was led by Fr Fernando Montano PP, Vicar General of the Diocese of Parramatta and Episcopal Vicar for Social Welfare, and concelebrated by a host of priests who have shaped the parish’s story over the years.
Among them were Fr Carlos Walker, IVE, current Parish Priest of OLA; Fr Warren Edwards, OLA’s founding Parish Priest; and Fr Joby Kadambattu Ittira MS, a former Assistant Priest now serving at Toongabbie Parish. Also joining were Fr Chris del Rosario, once a young parishioner at OLA and now Parish Administrator at Springwood, and Fr Walter Mallo, visiting from Chicago, where he is preparing to relocate to OLA later this year.
During the service, the church’s four consecration candles were lit by community members, symbolising the light of Christ and the enduring spirit of a parish still growing in faith and numbers.
Fr Warren Edwards speaking with parishioners. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Spirit and service
In his homily, Fr Warren took the congregation on a journey down memory lane – from humble beginnings without a permanent worship space, to the vibrant, multicultural and family-centred parish OLA is today.
“The church building might be complete,” Fr Warren said, “but the mission continues.”
“It’s up to all of us to keep building this community – not just in bricks and mortar, but in spirit and service.”
His reflections were a touching tribute to the early parishioners and benefactors who brought the parish dream to life – a number of whom were present at the anniversary Mass. Yet he was equally forward-looking, and encouraged continued support for the parish’s ongoing mission and future projects.
The Foundation stone of the parish. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
A parish from the ground up
The story of Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Rouse Hill began on 2 May 2007, when Fr Warren Edwards received a letter from then-Bishop Kevin Manning appointing him to establish a Catholic presence in the newly developing suburb.
Tasked with starting a parish from scratch, Fr Warren embraced the rare opportunity to build a new worshipping community and church that was faithful to tradition yet responsive to the needs of a modern, growing population.
Masses began in the hall of St Gregory’s Armenian School with just one Sunday service attended by around 150 people.
The early community quickly established a Parish Formation Council and chose the name “Our Lady of the Angels,” inspired by its Franciscan roots and simplicity. As attendance grew, the parish expanded to three Sunday Masses and began preparing for a permanent home.
By February 2009, a temporary church and car park had been built on the future development site, accommodating the growing number of parishioners – many of them young families – who now number close to 1,600 each weekend. The strong community involvement in liturgical ministries and social life was a promising sign of the parish’s future.
On 1 May 2015, the church was dedicated and consecrated by Archbishop Anthony Fisher.
A video shown on the night of the Mass featured Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, then Bishop of Parramatta, consecrating the church. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Educating the future
In partnership with the Diocese of Parramatta, the parish also focused on Catholic education.
Our Lady of the Angels Primary School opened in 2010 under the leadership of founding principal Eva La Rocca, starting with 62 students and a dedicated staff.
To meet continued growth in the area, Santa Sophia Catholic College opened in 2018, and has reached capacity for a full K–12 facility serving the wider Box Hill-Rouse Hill region. The region continues to grow.
Looking forward
Fr Warren acknowledged the ongoing mission of the current Parish Priest, Fr Carlos.
Through his strong devotion to the Eucharist, Fr Carlos continues to encourage the community (especially those who are new in the parish) to have a sense of belonging, helping them grow in faith.
For Fr Carlos, OLA is a “living icon of Christ through his humility, charity and sacrificial love”.
With thankfulness of the blessings the community has received within the church, they asked God to “continue to strengthen their faith and unity”.
Fr Carlos Walker, IVE, current Parish Priest of OLA during his homily. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Community participation
The anniversary Mass was a community affair, with past and present parish secretaries delivering the readings, principals from Our Lady of the Angels Primary and Santa Sophia College presenting the offertory, and a powerful choir leading worship alongside acolytes, altar servers and liturgical ministers.
The Mass was followed by a festive social gathering in the Parish Hall – a hallmark of OLA’s famous hospitality – with parishioners contributing food and the Parish Social Committee helping to bring the event to life.
“This wasn’t just a celebration of a church building,” said one parishioner.
The special Mass was led by Fr Fernando Montano VG EV, concelebrated by a host of priests who have shaped the parish’s story over the years. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“It was a celebration of people – of a faith community that has grown together through the years and continues to thrive.”
From its founding vision to its current vitality, Our Lady of the Angels Parish stands as a shining example of the Church alive in Western Sydney.
View the photo gallery on Flickr or below.
Learn more about OLA on the Diocese of Parramatta website.
