The Sacred Heart Parish Westmead community came together in joyful celebration as parishioners marked both the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the parish’s 75th anniversary.
The feast day celebration on Friday, the 12th of June 2026 brought together generations of parishioners, from founding families to young families who are helping shape the future of the parish, united in thanksgiving for a rich legacy of faith and community.
Heart speaks to heart
In his homily, Parish Priest Fr Walter Fogarty reflected on the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the words of St John Henry Newman: “Cor ad cor loquitur” or “Heart speaks to heart.”
“The whole notion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is about God speaking to our heart, and how we, in our turn, are called to speak with our heart to those around us,” he said.
Drawing on Pope Francis’ final encyclical Dilexit Nos (“He Loved Us”), Fr Walter reminded parishioners that devotion to the Sacred Heart is ultimately about recognising how deeply Christ loves each person.
“It is not necessarily our love for Jesus that we celebrate in this solemnity, but the way that Jesus loves each one of us,” he said.
Fr Walter also paid tribute to those who established the parish, noting that long before Sacred Heart became an official parish in 1951, local Catholics gathered in homes, halls and other community spaces to celebrate their faith.
Fr Walter Fogarty during his Homily and Deacon Michael Flew in the background. Image: Alfie Ramirez / Diocese of Parramatta
“We are able to be here today because of the determination and the love of those who founded our parish. Our mission is the same – to continue to share the love of God with those in our community.”
He challenged parishioners to embrace what Pope Francis described as “the tenderness of our faith, the joy of service, and the eagerness of mission.”
“As a priestly people, we are called to go out into the world to change it, not through the use of power, but through the use of love,” Fr Walter said.
A multicultural community united in faith
Among those assisting at the Mass was Deacon Michael Flew, who recently began serving at the parish after many years of ministry with the Military Ordinariate.
For Deacon Michael, the celebration highlighted the unique character of the parish community.
“It’s a wonderful celebration,” he said. “This is a wonderful community because it’s so multicultural.”
Echoing the theme of Fr Walter’s homily, he added, “Father Walter said it best, ‘heart to heart,’ you know, there’s heart to heart here in this community.”
Reflecting on the parish’s 75th anniversary, Deacon Michael acknowledged the generations who built the foundations of parish life.
“The wonderful thing is all of these people before us built this place,” he said. “And we’re now building a new place. So, it’s wonderful,” he said, referencing the new parish being built at Darcy Road.
Rosaries on sale from Archangel Rosaries. Image: Alfie Ramirez / Diocese of Parramatta
A celebration of hope
The celebration highlighted the strong sense of belonging that has characterised Sacred Heart Parish for generations.
Long-time parishioner and acolyte Carlos San Juan, who has attended the parish since 2012, described the evening as a “double celebration.”
“It’s a celebration of the Sacred Heart feast and the 75th year of the parish,” he said.
Reflecting on the parish community, he added, “We’ve got a good community here. Everyone knows everyone. It’s a close-knit community. Everyone seems to put in something to help out.”
He also spoke of the significance of the parish in his own faith journey.
“Sacred Heart Parish brought me back to my faith,” he said. “It brought me back to where I am now.”
Carlos added that the 75th anniversary was also a celebration of continuity.
“It’s a celebration of hope, a celebration of the continuing legacy of the people that came before us, and now it’s my family continuing that legacy.”
Parishioners come together to celebrate Sacred Heart Parish Westmead’s Feast Day. Image: Alfie Ramirez / Diocese of Parramatta
Honouring the past
Among those present were parishioners Alan and Jeanette Halligan, whose family history is deeply intertwined with the parish.
Jeanette’s family moved to the area in 1946, before the parish church existed.
“There was no church here,” she recalled. “We used to go down to Wentworthville. Then the church was built, and so we were here.”
She remembered the determination of the early parish community to establish a church in Westmead.
“They wanted this church,” she said, recalling how parishioners worked together to support its construction.
Alan and Jeanette were also married in the parish church 65 years ago and witnessed its unique early years when the building functioned as both church and school.
“Each Saturday some volunteers would come and open up the partitions, and then on Sunday afternoon, after mass was finished they would come and put them back,” said Alan.
When asked what they loved most about the parish, Jeanette reflected on the generations of memories connected to the community.
“My parents moved here in 1946 and they both died here. This was their home,” she said.
Alan highlighted the parish’s longstanding reputation for warmth and welcome.
“Westmead had a reputation for being a very friendly parish,” he said.
Face Painting on Sacred Heart Westmead Parish Feast Day. Image: Alfie Ramirez / Diocese of Parramatta
Preparing for a new chapter
The 75th anniversary celebrations were also marked by anticipation for the parish’s future home, currently under construction.
For many parishioners, the move represents both excitement and reflection as the community prepares to leave the building that has served generations of worshippers.
“I’m sad that we’re losing it because it’s been our parish,” Jeanette admitted. “But it’s good because we’re moving forward.”
Alan agreed, noting that the new church will support the needs of a growing community.
“We need a bigger church,” he said. “We don’t need it now, but we will in the future.”
Guided by the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the parish now looks forward to its next chapter, carrying with it the faith, sacrifice and love of those who came before.
This celebration aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer, Mission, and Community. Visit Synodality to learn more.
View the photo gallery on Flickr below.
