AS of January 2025, St Luke’s, Marsden Park, will be formally recognised and decreed the newest parish of the Diocese of Parramatta.
The parochial district, which is the first stage of development of a parish, was established by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, on 22 December 2017, as a response to the exponential growth in Sydney’s northwest.
Over the last six years, St Luke’s has shown financial stability and growth of its congregation as evidence to formally establish a parish. The community has been using the facilities of St Luke’s Catholic College for their Masses but parishioners have longed for a permanent place of worship. To date they have raised over $500,000 for a new church.
Over the next 12 months, in partnership with the Diocese, the community is hoping to build a new halon the designated church site that will serve as the initial place of worship before their church is formally erected. With the building of a permanent structure, the opportunity to celebrate Mass more frequently could become a reality.
Deacon Tony Hoban was appointed as Pastoral Director in January 2018 for a three-year term, working alongside his wife Annette and an advisory board of lay volunteers to build relationships, provide pastoral care and support to Catholics in the local community.
The community is fortunate to have dozens of supply priests from across the Diocese over its six years to provide the sacraments for the growing community.
With the transition to a parish, Deacon Tony and Annette will step down from their pastoral duties to spend more time with family and travel around the country.
Bishop Vincent commended Deacon Tony and Annette on their service.
“They have prioritised the care of people and the nurturing of relationships. This is evident in the way people are involved in the social and sacramental life of the community,” he said.
“Together, they embody the injunction of Our Lord that Christian ministries be best exercised not in isolation, but in partnership with others
Tony and Annette have pioneered a different model of pastoral care and leadership. As we move into a synodal way of being Church, I hope that deacon-led communities will add to the rich tapestry of Catholic pastoral leadership, said Bishop Vincent.
As of January 1, Fr Gayan Thamel, the Episcopal Vicar for Migrant Chaplaincies, will be St Luke’s first Parish Priest. This follows his appointment as Supervising Priest of the community in early 2024whilst he was Parish Priest of the Parish of Richmond.
“St Luke’s will welcome Fr Gayan Thamel as its new incoming pastor. I trust that he will build on the work of Tony and Annette and the community can move forward towards greater things ahead,” saidBishop Vincent.
