For over 47 years, Marelene Whitton has dedicated her time and energy towards her parish community of St Joseph’s Moorebank.
Whether it is spending her Saturdays cleaning the church or cooking meals for the priests each week, Marlene has worked tirelessly out of love for faith community.
Marlene was among five parishioners honoured for dedicated service during the annual ‘MooreWorthy’ parish dinner held at Liverpool Catholic Club on 5 September.
The celebration was attended by more than 400 parishioners across both churches, along with permanent deacon Al Salu, St Christopher’s Primary School principal Linda O’Reagan and St Joseph’s Primary School principal Christina Bitar-Claxton.
Finance Committee member and dedicated parishioner of St Christopher’s Catherine Ong was honoured for service that “touches every part of our church life”.
Catherine volunteers her time at fetes, fundraisers, working bees and the children’s liturgy.
Long-time St Christopher parishioners Peter and Lorna Enriquez were celebrated for their years of quiet action guiding young people through catechism, as ministers of the word, and for Peter’s faithful assistance at the altar as an acolyte.
Every Sunday morning they can also be seen cleaning and maintaining the church and prayer grotto. Also honoured was St Joseph’s parishioner Janet Rahme for her 20 years of service as a catechist, dedicated volunteer and florist.
The dinner-dance was also an opportunity for the two parishes to come together.
Redesigned church logos were proudly displayed, celebrating the unique history of each church, while a highlights video encapsulated the many ways in which these churches have become one family over the course of the year.
“It was a fantastic night that brought our community together, celebrating our passionate parishioners and our dedicated volunteers,” said parish pastoral council chairperson Tyron Pereira.
