From finding housing and schools to offering friendship and hope, volunteers from seven parishes across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are quietly transforming the lives of newly arrived refugee families.
Their commitment was celebrated at the Diocese of Parramatta’s recent annual Social Justice Networking and Formation Day, where parishes were recognised for their leadership and compassion in refugee support.
The gathering provided an opportunity for volunteers from across the Diocese of Parramatta to share their local experiences with each other, network and learn from each other, and deepen their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, mission and justice.
In November 2025, the Peace, Justice and Ecology Team – part of the Diocesan Mission Engagement Team – celebrated in particular the tremendous commitment and work of the parishes, which provide welcome and practical support to newly arrived refugee families for a year as they settle into their new lives in Western Sydney.
Fr Fernando Montano, Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar of Social Welfare, acknowledged the parishes for their extraordinarily generous support, presenting them with certificates of appreciation.
Vicar General Fr Fernando Montano (centre) speaks to representatives from parishes who participated in the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) and the Community Support Program (CSP) during a Diocesan Social Justice Networking and Formation Day at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Parishes recognised were:
- St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong
- St Madeleine Sophie Barat Parish, Kenthurst
- St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill
- St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta
- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seven Hills
- St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie
- Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair–Erskine Park
Also recognised was the Blacktown Regional Uniting Church.
Different programs, same goal
The refugee support was delivered under two Australian Government programs, namely, the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) and the Community Support Program (CSP). Six parishes were recognised for their work as part of CRISP, with the support of Catholic Care; while Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park, was recognised under CSP.
Regardless of which program the groups participated in, and regardless of the stage in each parish’s journey, the experience of providing vital community outreach was shared.
While parishes like St Andrew’s has completed a full year of accompaniment with a refugee family, the sponsorship journey for parishes like St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Bernadette’s has recently begun.
Meanwhile, St Anthony of Padua and Our Lady of Lourdes came together with Blacktown Regional Uniting Church to form a shared volunteer support group for their refugee family.
Vicar General Fr Fernando Montano (second right) with parishioners Paul (left) and Anne (centre) from St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie, and Terry (second left) from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seven Hills, during a Diocesan Social Justice Networking and Formation Day acknowledging parishes who participated in the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) and the Community Support Program (CSP), at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
At the gathering, Nenette Gapud, a parishioner from St Andrew’s, shared insights from her team’s experience with the CRISP program, which included the realisation that in their encounter with the family supported, they in fact learned more than she felt they were able to give. The sponsorship created lasting friendships and memories, and the strong desire to continue helping others on the margins – a sentiment previously shared by other parishioners.
Vicar General Fr Fernando Montano (left) with parishioners Socorro (second left) and Nenette (second right) from St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong during a Diocesan Social Justice Networking and Formation Day acknowledging parishes who participated in the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) and the Community Support Program (CSP), at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Meanwhile, Holy Spirit parishioner Jeanne Appleton previously shared her experience as part of the parish’s social justice group.
Rita Hakkoum, who accompanied the parishes on their journey, said they did more than volunteer their time and resources.
“They opened their hearts and their homes to people they had never met. They showed, in practical ways, what it means to welcome the stranger, as Jesus teaches us,” she said.
“These families were not simply supported. They were embraced.”
To find out more or get involved in refugee and migrant support, contact the Mission Enhancement Team.
This initiative supports the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priority of Mission and Listening, and objective to reach to the margins. Visit Synodality to learn more.
