Sydney Catholics rounded out 2024 with a bevy of celebrations, including centenary Masses at St Ambrose parish in Concord West and Holy Innocents’ parish in Croydon, the opening of a new parish-based theatre space and many other special moments highlighting the special and various gifts of the lay faithful.
Here are just some of the highlights:
Genesian Theatre opening
On 14 December the Genesian Theatre saw its official opening and blessing by Bishop Daniel Meagher at its new 130-seat premises in a formerly unused church hall at Rozelle parish.
After operating from its Kent Street premises in the Sydney CBD for 70 years, the long-established theatre company now calls the inner-city St Joseph’s parish home, thanks to support from its long-time supporters, the Archdiocese of Sydney and parish administrator Fr Richard Waddell.
Its new season begins on 10 January, with a performance of JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls.
Church Grounds graduation
The previous day in Tempe, at the headquarters for the food charity Gift of Bread, Bishop Terrence Brady was present to celebrate another successful year and the graduation of three volunteers, from its “Church Grounds” project, into the paid workforce.
An offshoot of Gift of Bread, Church Grounds is an online coffee supplier and social enterprise which offers training and employment opportunities to people who experience barriers to meaningful employment.
Launched in June this year, the initiative is based in a small office at St Peter and St Paul’s church hall and is the second charity launched by Sydney Catholic Marcel de Maria.
Lourdes Day Mass
The Order of Malta’s annual Lourdes Day Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 7 December brought together many to pray for the intentions of all Catholic families but especially those in need of spiritual, or physical healing.
Parish priest of St Aloysius, Cronulla, Fr James McCarthy was principal celebrant at the Mass where all worshippers received a small bottle of holy water from the Marian shrine in Lourdes, France, the place Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
St Ambrose and Holy Innocents turn 100
On 1 December many came together to worship and celebrate 100 years of Holy Innocents’ parish, Croydon, with Mass presided over by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, followed by a luncheon. Also marking a centenary was St Ambrose parish, Concord West.
Christ the King
In November, on the solemnity of Christ the King, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP celebrated Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral and presided over the investitures of Steven Beutel, Royce Brennan and John-Paul Romano into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
In his latest report on the emergency appeal for Gaza from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, released in November, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa wrote that around US$2.4 million of the US$10.3 million raised to date was received from most of the lieutenancies through the Order.
Remembering those gone
Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria held its annual interfaith Christmas remembrance service at the cathedral on 15 December, presided by Bishop Terrence Brady, for all those who had lost a loved one during the year.