The World Day of Prayer for the Sick Mass at Mary Queen of the Family Parish, St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Blacktown brought together those facing frailty, age, and illness, along with carers and healthcare workers, for a special gathering that included the anointing of the sick.
The special Mass on Tuesday 11 February 2025 coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Mass was celebrated by Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar of Social Welfare, Fr Fernando Montano, Parish Priest of St Bernadette’s Catholic Church Castle Hill; alongside Rector of Holy Spirit Seminary and Administrator of St Oliver Plunkett’s Church Harris Park Fr Paul Marshall, and Deacon Dr Michael Tan. Parish Priest Fr Wim Hoekstra also attended, greeting parishioners and visitors, and assisting with the afternoon tea following Mass.
Around 15 patients from Catholic Healthcare’s St Hedwig Village in Blacktown were assisted by their carers, along with around five patients from Southern Cross Care. The groups gathered for photos outside the church prior to the Mass, creating memories.
Residents from St Hedwigs, Catholic Healthcare. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
The central theme of the Mass was the strength found in faith, as Fr Montano’s homily drew from the rich teachings of the Gospel, as well as his own personal reflections on hope, healing, and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Fr Montano spoke movingly about the significance of Jesus’s first miracle at the wedding of Cana, a miracle that, at first glance, seemed trivial compared to some of His later acts of healing and resurrection.
“It is interesting that the very first miracle Jesus performs … is one that does not evolve by the death or healing or feeding, turning water into wine sits almost trivial in comparison to those of the things,” he said.
Fr Paul Marshall administers the Oil of the Sick to a gentleman during the 2025 Diocesan World Day of the Sick Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“The issue of running out of wine may seem so stressful to us, but trivial next to many of the other encounters described the Gospels for the couple of their family, this would have been a huge deal.”
Fr Fernando also drew attention to the role of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in the Gospel story. He reminded the congregation that Mary, in her compassionate role as a mother, intercedes for us in our times of need.
“In the story of Cana, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the one who remains aware of the needs of her children.”
He said Our Lady also encourages us to follow Christ.
“Mary gives us the last lesson: ‘Do whatever he tells you’,” he said.
Fr Fernando Montano delivers the homily during the 2025 Diocesan World Day of the Sick Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Fr Fernando also reflected on the message of this Jubilee Year, and its connection to the Gospel reading of the wedding of Cana.
“This year as a Church, we have been invited to be ‘pilgrims of hope’, and the biblical text that we have been given to reflect this year comes from the letter to the Romans.
“Hope does not disappoint,” he said.
Fr Fernando said in his message on the World Day of the Sick this year, the Holy Father says while these are comforting words, they can also prove perplexing, especially for those who are suffering.
“How can we be strong? For example, when our bodies are frail with severe and devastating illnesses?” he said, adding that some illnesses require hospital treatment that “we may not be able to afford”.
He said there are times when we sense a need for strength “greater than our own”.
“We realise that we need God’s help, his grace, his prominence and the strength that is the gift of His Spirit,” he said.
On a personal note, Fr Fernando shared the struggles his own family was facing, as his sister had recently been diagnosed with the recurrence of thyroid cancer, and the fear and uncertainty that goes along with such a diagnosis.
“Hope does not disappoint, and this is something we as a family have been reminding ourselves, as we pray not only for her but for all those who are sick, those who care for them, and the families of those who find it hard to hope and trust in the privilege of care of her loving God.”
Healthcare workers from Southern Cross Care. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Throughout the Mass, The Mission Enhancement Team’s sibling duo Eric and Paolo Grella played the grand piano and sung comforting, well-known Catholic hymns; stirring familiar memories among the faithful. With classics like ‘Come to the Water’ and ‘Immaculate Mary’ in honour of the Marian feast, their music was a balm to the soul.
At the end of the Mass, the health care workers and carers who attended received a blessing from Fr Fernando, that they may continue to find strength, hope and beauty in their special ministry of caring for the sick.
Parishioners from the Blacktown Parish, Rita and Charbel, were delighted to attend the Mass; while the Mass had a special meaning for Dural-based Eucharistic Minister, Lidia, who travelled all the way from her parish in Kenthurst to be part of the celebration.
“I spend a lot of time ministering to the sick, so I’ve very happy to be here,” she said.
Divya, a lifestyle assistant at Catholic Healthcare was happy to assist the frail and elderly on their special outing.
“I like helping our residents to be part of the Mass,” she said.
Seminarian Paul from the Diocese of Parramatta’s Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Meanwhile, Paul, a sixth-year seminarian at Holy Spirit Seminary Harris Park, said attending the Mass was an important part of his formation, and he smiled and waved to the children who also attended with their families.
“I want to have the spiritual strength of God to receive the Anointing of the Sick. That is my intention,” he said.
A delightful morning tea followed the Mass in the church’s adjacent hall, and it was an opportunity to meet people, share a cup of tea or coffee, and leave renewed in their trust that hope does not disappoint; and that through God’s grace and the intercession of Our Lady, they can face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Please view the full gallery of photos on our Flickr page or below.
