Catholics across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are being invited to renew their commitment to peace, reconciliation and care for creation, as the Church enters a Special Year of St Francis – marking 800 years since the death of the beloved saint of Assisi.
For the Diocese of Parramatta, the Special Year holds particular resonance. The Catholic Church is deeply shaped by the Franciscan charism through the Bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, and the presence of many Franciscan friars, sisters and lay communities who serve in parishes, schools, social services and outreach ministries throughout the region.
In his homily during the 2025 Diocesan Season of Creation Mass, Bishop Vincent said, “St Francis intuitively understood that we cannot live our lives disconnected from nature.”
“Poverty and simplicity for him didn’t mean to wear shabby clothes or to live in derelict conditions. It is to claim nothing as our own. It is not to be possessive. It is to live without appropriation and domination.
“In its deepest sense, to live simply and poorly means to be a steward, guardian and caretaker of all the gifts we are given in trust. It means to be in relationship, partnership and solidarity with everyone and everything around us.”
Today’s Franciscans continue to live out St Francis’ call through simplicity of life, closeness to the poor and marginalised, care for creation and a commitment to peace. From parish and religious life to education, advocacy and accompaniment of those on the margins, the Franciscan spirit remains woven into the everyday life of the Diocese.
Franciscan voices share call to peace
The Diocese of Parramatta is enriched by Capuchin Franciscans, the Poor Clares, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, and the Secular Franciscan Order, who minister across Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and beyond.
Friars of St Francis
Fr Roben Martello FSF, Friars of St Francis (FSF), St Bernadette’s Parish, Dundas Valley, said the community was delighted and deeply grateful to hear the news –particularly for the rare opportunity to venerate the relics of St Francis of Assisi.
The friars had already been aware that, for the first time in 800 years, the remains of St Francis would be exposed for public veneration for one month only (22 February–22 March), marking the eighth centenary of the Saint’s passing from this life to the next.
“This is very exciting because for almost 600 of those 800 years nobody had access to those relics. All we knew was that they were securely buried beneath the stone altar in the Lower Basilica of St Francis,” Fr Roben said. “They were only rediscovered in 1818 after intensive labour, carefully working through the stones that protected the sacred remains of the Poverello of Assisi. We also know that many miracles occurred during and after his death, involving his sacred relics.”
As a parish run by the Friars of the St Francis, Fr Ruben described St Bernadette’s as “a friendly and hospitable community”.
“As Franciscans, we try to make treat the Eucharist with the utmost reverence, and keep God’s house beautiful and clean. We hold an annual novena leading to the feast of St Francis (4 Oct), which is celebrated as a Solemnity by Franciscans. We celebrate the feast on the weekend closest to 4 October, with the blessing of animals too. St Francis also figures largely in the friars’ homilies, as there are so many wonderful, inspirational accounts of him and the early friars.
“Our parish exudes the joy of St Francis: it’s a happy parish. Many people comment on this.”
Fr Ruben said the charism of the Friars of St Francis is very simple: to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living the evangelical counsels by obedience, chastity and without property of our own, as the Rule of St Francis stipulates.
“True peace derives from conversion of hearts and minds to Christ and His saving truth. This is what the friars proclaim each day in their homilies. St Francis was a man of peace.”
“But this was not peace at any price, or at the expense of the truth. Peace will be achieved where there is good will and the love of God. In this way grace beautifies nature and we may influence the world around us for good.”
Conventual Franciscans
Fr Christopher Shorrock OFM Conv, Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Rosary Kellyville, Order of the Minor Conventual said, “This is great news for the entire Franciscan family and the Church at large,” noting various Jubilees tied to St Francis since 2023.
The Franciscan Shrine of The Holy Innocents in Kellyville.
“We have always placed stress on the ‘conventual’ or community aspect of our Franciscan life and therefore we live this charism particularly through the community life,” Fr Christopher said, noting conventual Franciscans offer this witness in “varied apostolates” from parish life, university teaching, retreats, and the Militia of Mary Immaculate (founded by one of the most well-known Conventual Franciscans, St Maximilian Kolbe OFM Conv).
“We have three friars involved in our parish: two friar-priests and a brother who is actively involved in parish outreach, particularly in taking Communion to the sick or visiting many nursing homes.
“We are also involved with the Secular Franciscan Order as spiritual assistance; and there are two groups in the parish which are trying to experience something of our charism, namely the Franciscan Men’s group and the Women of St Clare group, which consists mainly of young adults,” he added.
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary
During a 2025 parish visit to Good Shepherd Plumpton, members of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) gathered to reflect on creation, prayer and Franciscan spirituality. These themes take on even deeper meaning as the Church marks the Special Year of St Francis in 2026.
The visit followed a workshop led by Sr Mary Burke FMM from Melbourne, an iconographer, who shared how sacred art and the Season of Creation connect with the Franciscan way of seeing the world. Sisters Angela, Agatha and Irene from St Aidan’s Parish, Rooty Hill, joined parishioners to reflect on the icon and its meaning.
“It’s beautiful because it’s like our spirituality – Franciscan spirituality,” Sr Angela had told Catholic Outlook.
“We admire creation and all we have – we need to take care of the Earth, our Mother Earth.”
Provincial, Sr Rosalie Ilboudo FMM, felt proud but “with a sense of responsibility” that this announcement was for the entire Franciscan family. “I thought, how can I and my sisters be more Franciscan to the point that we radiate the face Francis of Assisi in our communities in the Western Suburbs and the Blue Mountains.”
“I have great hope that our Franciscan Spirituality can inspire peace not only among Catholics but also in the broader Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Society. If this Spirituality is known, lived and shared it will change our Church and Society in a deep and lasting way and be a model for other Australian places.”
Poor Clare Sisters
Poor Clare Sisters Sr Pia Galea OSC and Sr Joanne Fitzsimons OSC said they were “delighted” by the announcement, reflecting that St Francis’ legacy of mercy and prayer continues to shape their contemplative life at the North Richmond monastery.
Reflecting on the Year dedicated to St Francis, the Poor Clares highlighted the legacy of Francis through mercy and prayer, recalling that the saint’s life “became one of giving mercy to all he met” and that he was “transformed entirely into living prayer”.
“The sisters are committed to living the Franciscan ideal of Gospel life through peace and dialogue, care for creation, Gospel poverty and sisterhood,” they reflected.
Secular Franciscans
Anthony Saliba OFS, a member of the Secular Franciscan Order of Australia, said his excitement about the Pope’s announcement has been compounded by a planned trip with his wife Maria to Italy later this year.
“Maria just looked back at me with the biggest grin because this is her first time going to Italy and Assisi,” Anthony said.
As a Secular Franciscan, Anthony said it was an opportunity to come together and celebrate the saint’s life’s work on bringing the Gospel to life and leading people back to the way of the Gospel life.
“It is [also] an opportunity for us to gain a renewed sense of the Church’s mission and to experience the love and mercy of God through the example of St Francis of Assisi,” he added.
Anthony said the vocation to the Secular Franciscan life is lived locally in several ways. From monthly prayer gatherings to assisting people experiencing poverty, Secular Franciscans help provide basic needs that promote human dignity – food, clothing, and someone who listens. From providing overseas aid to offering formation and spiritual support, Secular Franciscans help people reconnect with God and bring peace to their lives – while living their faith in action.
“We have chosen to be on the frontlines of the war against the evils of this world.”
Anthony said St Francis’ approach to evangelisation and mission and witness to restoring peace is just as pertinent today as ever.
“His example of following Christ (to the letter) gives us a means through which, we too, by following him, can fulfil the mission and will of the Father and reveal something of the Kingdom to come to the world of today,” he said.
Capuchin Franciscans
Fr John Nguyen OFM Cap, Assistant Parish Priest at The Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Plumpton, shared what it means to live the Capuchin Franciscan charisms, or “gifts”, in daily parish life.
“All gifts received are meant to be shared,” he said, noting their roots in St Francis of Assisi.
“We live a fraternal Gospel way of life together, prioritising a life of prayer, especially contemplative prayer, a spirit of minority, radical poverty, both personal and communal, and joyful penance,” he said. “We share our lives with those we encounter, those God has placed in our lives.”
Fr John said poverty takes many forms.
“In our Parish, we respond to material poverty through St Vincent de Paul and ‘High Five for Lent’, a House of Welcome initiative supporting families in need,” he said.
“Spiritual poverty is another form,” he added, pointing to the parish’s outreach through SRE catechists, Special Hearts Ministry, sacramental preparation, care for the sick and homebound. He also noted the availability of Capuchin friars for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as expressions of the Capuchin Gospel mission to meet those in need.
Pope declares 2026 a ‘Year of Grace’
Within this local Franciscan context, Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Special Year of St Francis, to be celebrated from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027, marking 800 years since the death of the “Poverello of Assisi”.
The Special Year commemorates the Transit of St Francis, who died in 1226 after a life shaped by the Gospel. Known as the “poor man of Assisi”, St Francis lived with simplicity, humility and trust in God, becoming a lasting sign of peace and reconciliation.
Recalling St Francis’ greeting – “May the Lord give you peace” – Pope Leo stressed that Franciscan peace embraces all of creation, writing that “peace with God, peace between men and with Creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.”
Plenary indulgences available
The Holy See has announced a Special Year of St Francis, inviting the faithful to grow in holiness and become witnesses of peace in the spirit of the Saint of Assisi.
During this Year of Grace, Catholics may receive a plenary indulgence by devoutly taking part in Jubilee celebrations or making a pilgrimage to a Franciscan church or a place dedicated to St Francis, under the usual conditions of confession, Communion and prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions.
The faithful are also encouraged to spend time in prayer and reflection inspired by St Francis, asking for deeper charity, harmony and peace. Those who are elderly, sick or unable to travel may share in the indulgence by spiritually joining the celebrations through prayer and offering their sufferings.
Franciscan churches and sites in the Diocese of Parramatta include:
- The Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Plumpton – under the pastoral care of Capuchin Franciscans
- St Bernadette’s Catholic Church, Dundas Valley – under the pastoral care of the Friars of St Francis
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Kellyville and Franciscan Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Kellyville – under the pastoral care of the Conventual Franciscans
- Poor Clares Monastery, North Richmond
- Our Lady of Consolation Chapel, Rooty Hill – under the pastoral care of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary
- St Raphael’s Slovenian Catholic Church, Merrylands
- Croatian Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Great Croatian Covenant, Blacktown.
Parishes are even embarking on their own special pigrimages.
“Br Louis and myself will be leading a parish pilgrimage overseas later this year, with a particular Marian/Franciscan theme,” Fr Christopher Shorrock OFM Conv shared.
“A highlight will be the celebration of Mass at the Tomb of St Francis in Assisi, Italy.”
“With the Shrine being one of the designated places of the Diocese for the past Jubilee Year, we anticipate the Shrine and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Kellyville being actively involved in the great Year of Grace in the footsteps of St. Francis.”
This Special Year offers a renewed invitation to follow St Francis, living as peacemakers in a world in need of hope.
St Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
These celebrations reflect the Diocesan Pastoral Plan’s priorities of mission and prayer, and our commitment to being a Church that reaches out to those on the margins. Visit Synodality to learn more about our Mission.
Visit our website to read Bishop Vincent’s Pastoral Letter to the Diocese about the Year of St Francis.
