What started as a humble memorial three years ago to honour people who have died while experiencing homelessness has now grown into a local team from St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish hoping to launch a NSW-first shelter trial at the cathedral hall.
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. Homelessness services are struggling to cope with increased demand.
And for those that live or work in Parramatta, it’s hard not to notice the struggle that many face in the search for shelter and safety.
There are many inspiring services that provide meals, services, clothing and more to people who sleep rough in Prince Alfred Park and the greater Parramatta region – such as Parramatta Mission, the Salvation Army, Heaven on Earth, the St Vincent de Paul Society and Thread Together. However, according to a member from St Patrick’s Cathedral Social Justice Team, who also volunteers at Parramatta Mission, shelter is still a critical area of need.
According to a member from St Patrick’s Cathedral Social Justice team, who also volunteers at Parramatta Mission, “in Parramatta, if you’re experiencing homelessness, you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can get clothing, and you can get hospitality and company from all these services. Although there are some great local shelter providers, shelter is still a huge challenge.”
The Social Justice Team set out to explore how they could help tackle this problem, and came across Stable One, a Christian organisation based in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs that partners with churches to provide temporary shelter in church buildings.
Nearly 10 years ago, Stable One looked at three overseas examples and then tailored it to the Australian context. Since then, they have grown from operating a single winter shelter in Victoria to supporting a network of 11 affiliate communities across Australia.
Heaven on Earth volunteers serve food in Parramatta each Friday. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
“What has been so encouraging is seeing churches recognise that they already have one of the most valuable resources in responding to homelessness – a building that’s often empty overnight and a community of people who want to make a difference,” said Katherine Kirkwood, CEO of Stable One.
“We don’t believe the Church can solve homelessness on its own, but it can play a unique and practical role by providing safety, dignity and hospitality while working alongside specialist homelessness services. It’s wonderful to see St Patrick’s Cathedral exploring how that model might look in Parramatta, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue to navigate the planning process.”
Claire Pospischil from St Patrick’s Social Justice Team has been focused on this trial for several years now and can’t wait to launch this service for the first time in NSW.
“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.”
The Homeless Memorial Service was one of the first initiatives – a simple service held on the steps of St Patrick’s Cathedral to honour those who have died. And each year it has come at a poignant time.
This year, two people known to the local community died in the fortnight before the event. In 2025 moments before the memorial began, the news of a death of a local friend was announced.
Deacon Luke Huynh at the St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Homeless Memorial Service 2026. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“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,” said Fr Robert Riedling, Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
But providing a practical response to the homelessness crisis was always the next step, as the reasons why people are experiencing homelessness keeps on growing. Volunteers and workers in this space are witnessing a shift from the stereotype of someone suffering addiction or mental health problems.
“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.
Planning approvals are currently underway for the St Patrick’s Cathedral trial, with the parish group hoping to launch it at the end of 2026 or early 2027. Claire and the team are working with a group of generous companies donating everything from comfortable beds, linen, blankets, pillows and more.
“The trial at this stage will provide for a group of referred local people a warm and safe place to sleep overnight. They will receive dinner, a comfortable bed, safety and security, hopefully a shower and breakfast. There’s a lot of planning involved – everything from risk mitigations, council permissions, logistics and more.
“But overall, the feedback to date has been outstanding. When we announced that we were exploring this trial to the parish, I was nervous and expected some hesitation or opposition. What we received was the loudest applause I have witnessed. Our parish community knows this is what Christ calls us to do, and is supporting us every step of the way,” she said.
At the time of print, the trial was still undergoing planning approvals.
This article was originally published in the 2026 Season of Creation| Spring edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read it online here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
