As the Archdiocese of Sydney joyfully prepares to welcome nearly 380 converts and catechumens into the faith on 9 March, at the Rite of Election, The Catholic Weekly celebrates by sharing just some of the stories emerging from our parishes.
This week, we discover two profound connections formed within the communities of All Saints in Liverpool and Sacred Heart Catholic church in Cabramatta.
We also speak to Simon Yeak, RCIA Coordinator from the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation about this surge in new converts and to Deacon Mervyn Francis from Bossley Park about how his vibrant parish is driving the boom in faith.
Danial’s Journey from YouTube to the Altar
Danial’s journey to Catholicism began in childhood, sparked by Scripture lessons in public school. His early fascination with Jesus and the stories from the Bible lead him to ask his parents why they didn’t go to church. “It’s not for us,” they replied.
Danial pleaded with his nan, the only Christian in his family, to take him to church. But she was reluctant. “I was a hyperactive kid and she thought I’d bring chaos to the Mass,” he recalls.
Finally, as a teenager, a Pacific Islander mate of his brought him to a local church.
“There were all these people lined up in a row and the pastor was laying his hands on them and they were having this moment with God. He put his hands on me and I felt nothing,” Danial remembers. He left, disappointed and still yearning for the truth.
Years later, his quest led him to YouTube, where he would deep dive into religious themed content for his spiritual fix.
“It was here I discovered Ron Wyatt’s Discoveries series exploring the Bible and the Disciple Diaries series by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.”
One evening, while watching these videos, Danial had a profound encounter with Jesus. “I said, ‘Jesus, I want to have a relationship with you,'” he recalls. “It was like instantly He sent the Holy Spirit to my heart. It was crazy. I could envision my heart melting like gold, but the vision was like a volcano shooting gold lava everywhere as I was weeping.”
This experience reignited Danial’s desire to fully embrace the Catholic faith. He and his wife, Monica, enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program, which has been instrumental in their journey. “I’ve learned more than I knew before,” Danial shares. “It’s exciting just to finally reach where I need to be in the church.”
The RCIA process has not only deepened Danial’s faith but also strengthened his family bonds. “It’s made me a better father and a better husband. My wife, Monica, is also joining me on this journey. She is from a Buddhist background and it’s brought us closer together, as we get closer to God.”
Danial’s transformation has been profound. “I finally found grace,” he reflects. “Jesus will always have His plan, and when you’re ready, He’ll show you the way. The timing of it was probably the most perfect time where I had to be in my life to connect with Him.”
As he approaches baptism, Danial encourages others on similar journeys: “Take the lead, don’t wait. Just do it. Jesus is always waiting for you when you’re ready.”
Marvin’s Slow Burn From Buddha to Christ
Marvin Do’s path to Catholicism began in an unlikely place—his home gym in Western Sydney. Born into a Buddhist family in New Caledonia and raised in Australia, Marvin had never given much thought to Christianity, let alone Catholicism.
In his early 20’s, Marvin’s life revolved around his career and fitness routine. Twice a week, he’d work out with his high school friend Kevin, a devout Baptist. As they lifted weights and spotted each other, their conversations often drifted to matters of faith.
“I’d hear Kevin talking about church and Bible studies,” Marvin recalled. “It made me curious. I started asking questions, not realising these gym sessions were planting seeds of faith.” The privacy of his home gym allowed for open, honest discussions about life’s big questions. Kevin’s unwavering faith and inner peace intrigued Marvin, who found himself drawn to the idea of a deeper spiritual life.
For nearly a decade, Marvin’s spiritual journey was a slow burn.
Two years ago, Marvin decided to explore Christianity more seriously. He began reading the Bible, and to his surprise, experienced a series of events that seemed more than coincidental. These occurrences, coupled with his growing interest, led him to attend a Catholic Mass with his then-girlfriend (now wife) in January 2024.
That first church visit coincided with a family crisis—Marvin’s sister-in-law revealed she was in an abusive relationship. Moved by the situation, Marvin prayed for the first time, asking for help for his family. Days later, he won $11,000 in a lottery, which he saw as a divine response. Without hesitation, he distributed the money to his family and charity, viewing it as a call to faith and generosity.
This experience propelled Marvin towards the Catholic Church. He was drawn to its rich history, structured approach to faith, and the continuity of its teachings. In October, he enrolled in the RCIA program at Cabramatta church.
“The RCIA program has been incredible,” Marvin shared. “It’s given me a deeper understanding of the faith, answering questions I didn’t even know I had. The Trinity, the sacraments, the Church’s traditions—it all started making sense.”
“Kevin’s happy for me, even if he wishes I’d joined his church,” Marvin chuckled. “Our friendship has deepened through these discussions. We’re both on a journey of faith, just taking different paths.”
“I never thought lifting weights would lead me to lift my heart to God,” Marvin mused. “But here I am, about to be baptised, all because of conversations that started between bench presses and squats.”
Marvin’s journey continues to inspire those around him, proving that faith can find us in the most unexpected places—even in a home gym in Western Sydney.
Simon Yeak: RCIA Coordinator—Surge Reflects Thriving Parish Life
The Archdiocese of Sydney is witnessing a remarkable increase in the number of catechumens and converts joining the Catholic faith, according to Simon Yeak, the Sacramental Life and RCIA Coordinator for the Life Marriage Family team within the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation.
“This surge comes after a challenging period during the 2020-2021 lockdowns when we experienced a 65 per cent decline in converts,” Yeak reports.
The resurgence in RCIA participation aligns with Archbishop Anthony Fisher’s vision of thriving parishes. “Archbishop Anthony has always emphasised that a vibrant parish and a vibrant RCIA group go hand in hand. We’re seeing that play out in real-time across Sydney” Simon notes.
Simon attributes the success of the RCIA program to several factors, including increased parish engagement and a more personalised approach to faith formation. “About 70 per cent of our parishes are now participating in RCIA certification courses,” Yeak explains. “This has significantly contributed to the program’s growth and effectiveness.”
“We’re meeting people at various stages of their life journey,” he says. “The RCIA process is designed to be a transformative experience where the entire parish family embraces new converts.”
The impact of this growth extends beyond individual parishes. “Sydney’s per capita conversion rate is impressive compared to other large archdioceses worldwide,” Yeak proudly states. “It’s a testament to the effectiveness of our local RCIA initiatives.”
As the Rite of Election approaches, there’s palpable excitement among RCIA coordinators. “One coordinator from Holy Family, Menai, reported the largest group of candidates they’ve ever seen,” Yeak mentions. “It’s indicative of the program’s growing success across the archdiocese.”
Simon believes this surge in RCIA participation and conversions reflects a revitalisation of parish life and a deepening of faith communities.
“Each new member brought into holy communion with the body of Christ brings fresh energy and perspectives to their parishes. It’s truly exciting to see our Catholic community growing and thriving in this way.”
Deacon Mervyn Francis – Boom in disciples is evangelisation in action
In the vibrant parish of Mary Immaculate in Bossley Park, Deacon Mervyn Francis is witnessing the fruits of evangelisation first-hand as his parish welcomes six catechumens from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the rich multicultural tapestry of the Bossley Park community.
“We have people from different age groups and cultures—some married, some single, and from various professional backgrounds.”
Deacon Mervyn attributes this to the parish’s active promotion of devotional activities and their strong online presence. “We do a lot of evangelising, and people find us through word of mouth and our website,” he explains
Deacon Mervyn highlights their First Friday devotions, which draw over 150 people from surrounding parishes and other initiatives like Catholic GPS and an upcoming Lenten program as events that serve as a powerful tool for community outreach.
One touching story Deacon Mervyn shares involves a mother who came to baptise her child. Upon learning she wasn’t Catholic, he introduced her to the RCIA program, which she enthusiastically joined. Another candidate, coming from a Hindu background, chose to explore Catholicism due to her Catholic partner, showcasing the program’s ability to bridge different faith traditions.
As Deacon Mervyn prepares to assist Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP at the Rite of Election, he reflects on the significance of this moment: “It’s amazing to see all these people coming to become Catholics and journey in our faith.”