Two Sydney parishes welcomed new parish priests in June, with installation Masses celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP at St John the Baptist Parish, Bonnyrigg Heights, and St Michael’s Parish, Lane Cove.
On 14 June, Fr Christopher Sharah FSF was installed at Bonnyrigg Heights, marking the beginning of the Franciscans’ ministry in the parish.
A week later, on 21 June, Fr Mark Anderson was installed at St Michael’s, where Archbishop Fisher reflected on his own childhood connection to the parish.
The installations marked new chapters for both parish communities.
The Friars of St Francis are a reform community of Franciscans that began in 1993 with Fr Christopher FSF and has since grown into a community of six friars.
The arrival of the friars, who also include the parish’s new assistant priests Fr Ruben Martello FSF and Fr Benedict Mackenzie FSF, means St John the Baptist is now a designated parish where the faithful may receive a plenary indulgence during this jubilee year of St Francis — proclaimed by Pope Leo in honour of the 800th anniversary of the death of the saint.
“I ask you to pray to the Lord of the harvest that these friars may be faithful and fruitful labourers in his vineyard of Bonnyrigg, and to keep supporting them, as they pray for and serve you,” said Archbishop Fisher at the Mass.
Fr Anderson told The Catholic Weekly that St Michael’s was “packed” for the installation Mass. Concelebrating Mass alongside the archbishop were retired Bishop Bernard O’Grady OP, retired priest Fr Gary Rawson, assistant priest to the parish Fr Jorge Mairena, and Fr Anderson.
“What made the event particularly interesting was [that] the archbishop spent many years of his childhood at St Michael’s and even completed his sacraments here,” Fr Anderson said.
During the homily, the archbishop reflected on his long connection with St Michael’s where he received his First Holy Communion and later returned to celebrate his first Mass as a newly ordained Dominican priest.
Following the liturgy, parishioners gathered for a barbecue and morning tea while children enjoyed a jumping castle. Fr Anderson praised the efforts of parishioners who had worked hard and prepared the church and garden for his installation.
“Volunteers arranged flowers, polished brass, removed candle wax from the floors, and even arranged parts of the exterior to be painted,” he said.
Many parishioners also remarked that they had never seen the installation of a parish priest before, with one describing it as “the most beautiful Mass she had ever been to.”
“I do believe that in Fr Mark you have a priest who will lead this community with wisdom, zeal and a shepherd’s heart,” said the archbishop.
