On the chilly evening of 8 August, the forecourt of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta became a place of remembrance, compassion, and community as people gathered for the “Wrapped in Love” Homelessness Week Memorial Service. The night was heavy with sorrow, a stark reminder of the dangers of life on the streets following the death of Dinah, a woman well known in the area, who was found deceased that very evening in Prince Alfred Park opposite the Cathedral.
Dinah’s passing cast a solemn shadow over the event, which was the second of its kind hosted by the Diocese of Parramatta. Bringing together churches, community organisations, volunteers, and those affected by grief and loss, the service honoured those who have died in and around Parramatta in the past 12 months while experiencing homelessness or other hardships.
The event was supported by a broad coalition of partners: the Diocese of Parramatta’s Mission Enhancement Team, St Patrick’s Cathedral Social Justice Group, Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, Heaven on Earth Ministry, Parramatta Mission, St Merkorious Charity, St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) NSW, The Salvation Army (Salvos) Parramatta, Thread Together and Wesley Mission.
Before the service began, volunteers handed out hot food and new clothing to those in need. Heaven on Earth Ministry, usually serving in Prince Alfred Park, operated from the Cathedral forecourt this night to create a welcoming space of warmth and care.
Heaven on Earth volunteers serve food in Parramatta each Friday. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Fr Robert-Pio Albayeh, a Maronite priest, was one of those who led the gathered community in prayer and reflection. His voice rose above the distant sirens and flashing lights nearby – a reminder of the harsh realities faced by those living on the streets.
In his reflection, Fr Robert-Pio honoured those experiencing homelessness, gave thanks for the food provided, and solemnly acknowledged the grief over Dinah’s death.
Dinah, homeless and dearly known to many in the community, was found lifeless during Heaven on Earth Ministry’s Friday night rounds. Sebastian Salaske-Lentern, Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator for the Diocese of Parramatta and MC for the evening, reflected on the gravely emotional loss:
“Those of us here who knew her will feel very sad and shocked and will just try to hold all these feelings and her memory amongst us tonight.”
He acknowledged Catholic Care’s chaplain and counsellors who were on site to support attendees mentally and emotionally.
Those gathered were invited to write the names of loved ones lost on a commemorative wall, with counsellors and pastors available for support.
A wall for prayers remembering lives lost on the streets. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Major Kylie Collinson from The Salvation Army Parramatta opened the service with a prayer from the Australian Catholic Bishops’ new Social Justice Statement, which focuses on homelessness and mental health.
“Jesus, our brother, you noticed those living on the edge, listened, healed and served them, out of love” she prayed.
“Move us from our embarrassment or discomfort by those who show us your suffering place. Instead, may we be taught by them, offer our loving friendship and share your good news together.”
Many rooms in God’s house
Fr Robert-Pio shared a deeply personal memory of Dinah after reading from the Gospel of St Luke about Mary and Joseph finding no room at the inn. One cold and rainy night, Fr Robert-Pio and his wife tried to help Dinah find a hotel or motel room, just to get out of the rain.
Fr Robert Pio remembers Dinah. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
“She was so happy with a beautiful smile on her face, and she said, ‘Father, I have never been to a hotel’,” he recalled.
“But guess what? Exactly what happened with Joseph and Mary, as we heard today from the Gospel of St Luke, she did not have an ID … they refused us.”
Reflecting on Dinah’s death, Fr Robert-Pio said: “What happened tonight? She does not need to get into a motel or hotel anymore.”
“She is in the most beautiful place among all the saints and righteous. She’s with our Lord.”
Rev Geoff Smith from Parramatta Mission reminded everyone of their shared responsibility: “You’re here because you give a damn. That matters.”
Rev Geoff Smith from Parramatta Mission. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
He rejected division, urging unity.
“Some people who seek to divide us would tell you that only the people who look like us or believe like us are acceptable. This is not true. This has never been true,” he said.
“When Jesus prayed for the disciples and prayed for the world, he prayed that we would be one in our diversity.”
Rev Geoff also recalled the words of a homeless person about dignity:
“We’re used to being called names, we’re used to having people walk past us … and you see us.”
Candles were lit in symbolic remembrance as music filled the air, creating a sacred space of reflection.
Candles placed on the steps of St Patrick’s Cathedral to commemorate lives lost. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
The St Patrick’s Cathedral Social Justice Group served soup, and Anbaalayam Tamil community provided hand-packed sandwiches for guests, while students from several local Catholic schools played a vital role in the service, volunteering with the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Vinnies Van and Heaven on Earth’s meal service. They welcomed attendees, served refreshments, and distributed food.
Ben, a student volunteer from Parramatta Marist High School, Westmead, said while it sounds like a cliche, it feels “really nice” to give back.
“It’s a very grounding experience to understand the opportunity that we’re in, like as students, and being able not only to be in a position where we have a lot of blessings, but also where we have the opportunity to help others.”
Student volunteers from Parramatta Marist High School, Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Luanda, a Year 11 student from Catherine McAuley Westmead, described the experience as ‘rewarding”.
“It’s nice to be a part of something, to do something for the greater good. Everyone deserves this.
“I am a Catholic, so I’m right now the head and heart of Jesus, just following in his footsteps,” she said.
“My school as well, we’re really rooted in our Mercy values. So this is just really hospitable. That’s what I’m trying to be.”
Student volunteers from Cathrine McAuley Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Another student volunteer from St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens, reflected: “This will be, actually, my second time doing this [serving on the Vinnies Van]. The first time I did it was actually last month.”
“Pretty nice, get to know the people around, giving them food to help them survive.”
Student volunteers from St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens, help out with the Vinnies Van. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Marilyn, a member of the St Patrick’s Cathedral Social Justice Group, said it was important to support those who are homeless and struggling with poverty in our community. She sat alone among the people dining at the forecourt, making friendly conversation and offering welcome and respect.
Roza Gutschow, Community Program Coordinator at The Salvation Army Parramatta, offered this perspective on homelessness in Western Sydney:
“It’s people having to choose between paying their rent or getting food or paying their bills, and they don’t look like what you would stereotype as a typical person experiencing homelessness. It’s very wide and varied.”
“There’s a saying that many people are two or three really poor decisions or three difficult life circumstances away from needing services and help from organisations like the Salvation Army. So it can happen to anyone.”
Ross Mitchell, Operations Manager at Thread Together, provided free clothing on the night, and highlighted the growing need.
Thread together handed out new clothing for those in need. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“We see quite a bit around town, because we are in different locations and seeing many new faces. It’s an absolutely growing concern.”
“There seems to be a level of support within the city, but when we come outside of the city, we see that support services are fewer,” he added.
“So with our mobile wardrobe, we have the ability to go out to community, onto the front line, into those outlying areas to be able to assist.”
This evening’s “Wrapped in Love” Memorial Service was a heartfelt testament to the community’s commitment to dignity, solidarity and care for those living on the margins – and a call to action to prevent further tragedies like Dinah’s.
View the photos from the memorial service on Flickr.
