Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, in his opening remarks during Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta on Sunday, acknowledged “it is not often that the Cathedral is full of young people at the 6pm Sunday Mass.”
Sunday 23 November marked the centenary of the feast of Christ the King, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925. It also marked the Local World Youth Day celebrations, the day in which Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese celebrate an annual Commissioning Mass for upcoming school student and parish leaders who minister to young people within Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Student leaders from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains process into St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, ahead of the Leaders’ Commissioning Mass during the local celebrations for World Youth Day on the Feast of Christ the King. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
This year, Bishop Vincent additionally commissioned the students, staff and parishioners of our Diocese who will be making a pilgrimage to Melbourne for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) on Sunday, 30 November. More than 300 young people were in attendance at the Mass, joined by their family and the wider community.
In his homily, Bishop Vincent encouraged the youth, affirming that “the Church is invigorated by your faith and enthusiasm for living and witnessing to the joy of the Gospel.”
A view of the Leaders’ Commissioning Mass during the local celebrations for World Youth Day on the Feast of Christ the King at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Before the Commissioning Rite, he assured the young pilgrims of the prayers and support from the Diocese, including its parishes, schools, agencies and ministries.
“Be assured of our prayers for your safety and even more, your spiritual growth and your encounter with the Lord,” he said, adding that through these encounters “you undertake to grow in the full stature of Christ.”
Bishop Vincent speaks during the Leaders’ Commissioning Mass during the local celebrations for World Youth Day on the Feast of Christ the King at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
After the commissioning, Alyssa, upcoming House Captain at Catherine McAuley, Westmead shared that although she felt “a little nervous” about her leadership role next year, she also felt proud.
“I feel proud of myself and the many other youth who have also been commissioned,” she said.
“I hope that this commissioning brings me closer in my leadership journey and also my faith journey.”
Reflecting on the Mass, she added, “I think it was really surreal and different to see a bunch of young students like myself. You don’t usually see that many young people in the church on a Sunday evening, so to see that and to see how committed everyone felt was really great.”
Australian Catholic Youth Festival pilgrims are commissioned during the local celebrations for World Youth Day on the Feast of Christ the King at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Gabrielle from St Monica’s Parish, North Parramatta, was commissioned as an ACYF pilgrim. Sitting opposite the emerging school leaders during Mass, she reflected on her own ministry. “I just graduated, and I was also a leader, so it was like a rite of passage, a transitional moment in life. It was very sentimental.”
Echoing Bishop Vincent’s remarks, she said, “I thought it was really nice to have so many young people sharing Mass together in such a beautiful way with the Bishop…. It was really nice to see everyone there.”
Elvis, a youth leader at Holy Cross Parish, Granville and ACYF pilgrim, described the Mass as “wholesome and empowering.” Noting the high attendance, he reflected, “It shows the leadership and the amount of faith we have within our Diocese. We come here as a community, looking after each other and gathered here to celebrate each other, and most importantly, we’re here to celebrate and worship God.”
People in prayer during Adoration ahead of the Leaders’ Commissioning Mass during the local celebrations for World Youth Day on the Feast of Christ the King at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Reflecting on the Bishop’s homily, Elvis said that the ACYF Pilgrims could relate to the people of the desert.
“We need to always keep on going, even if you can’t see where the finish line goes or where it stops at. It’s all about us persevering and being there in our faith.”
With the grace of their commissioning guiding them forward, the pilgrims are stepping into this moment with excitement and joy, ready to encounter Christ and represent the Parramatta community at ACYF in Melbourne.
This gathering aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Community, Formation and Mission – and our objective to be Church walking together. Visit Synodality to learn more.
Hannah Portelli is Facilitator – Catholic Youth Parramatta as part of the Diocese’s Mission Enhancement Team.
View images from the leaders’ commissioning Mass on Flickr.
