Bishop Vincent Long installed as the fourth Bishop of Parramatta (photo thanks to the Diocese of Parramatta).
Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains warmly welcomed Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv as the fourth Bishop of Parramatta on the evening of Thursday 16 June 2016 in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
The Catholic Mass, attended by thousands, was concelebrated by His Grace Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney, the Pope’s representative to Australia, His Excellency Most Rev Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishops and Bishops of Australia, clergy of the Diocese of Parramatta and visiting clergy.
During his homily, Bishop Vincent said he was humbled by his appointment. ‘I am very honoured and humbled by this appointment and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Church in Parramatta during this time,’ Bishop Vincent said. ‘As your Bishop, I am committed to be a bridge builder.’
‘The Scriptures we have heard tonight speak of a radical vision of love, inclusion and human flourishing,’ he said. ‘We should ask ourselves what it means to apply this expansive vision of God to our social matrix and what it means to be a house for all peoples.’
Bishop Vincent said he wanted to be a bridge builder to all communities and reached out to abuse victims, divorcees and the LGBTIQ community in particular. ‘There can be no future for the living church without there being space for those who have been hurt, damaged or alienated, be they abuse victims, survivors, divorcees, gays, lesbians or disaffected members,’ Bishop Vincent said.
Echoing Pope Francis, Bishop Vincent continued, ‘we are urged to be a church where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live according to the Gospel… I am committed to make the church in Parramatta the house for all peoples, a church where there is less an experience of exclusion but more an encounter of radical love, inclusiveness and solidarity.’
(Video thanks to the Diocese of Parramatta)
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
From Facebook
-
![459854762807679_1325051819621298-1]()
30 Jun 2025
From Facebook
🧤❄️ Cold and Bare, Show You Care – Boots to Wear! ❄️🧦 This powerful slogan, created by our students, has guided our winter fundraising efforts with Vinnies and what an impact we’ve made together! Through Pyjama Day, the Winter Sleepout, and today’s Boot Day, our school community has come together to live out our faith. These events helped raise awareness of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness — especially in winter, when, as shared by local Vinnies volunteers, "our feet feel the cold first." Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve raised $1,137 toward our goal of $1,236. Almost enough to provide three full sets of winter clothing to those in need. 💙 Donations can still be made via the QKR! App as we take the final steps towards our goal. We're only $99 away! Thank you for showing your care and walking with us in solidarity.![459854762807679_1322252989901181-1]()
27 Jun 2025
From Facebook
In line with our Vinnies Winter Appeal slogan, we are holding a boot day to raise some much needed funds. These funds will be used by vinnies to provide warm clothing to people who are less fortunate in our local community. Cold and Bare? Show your care, "Boots to wear!" Wear your boots on Monday!
More News
30 Jun 2025
From Facebook
🧤❄️ Cold and Bare, Show You Care – Boots to Wear! ❄️🧦 This powerful slogan, created by our students, has guided our winter fundraising efforts with Vinnies and what an impact we’ve made together! Through Pyjama Day, the Winter Sleepout, and today’s Boot Day, our school community has come together to live out our faith. These events helped raise awareness of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness — especially in winter, when, as shared by local Vinnies volunteers, "our feet feel the cold first." Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve raised $1,137 toward our goal of $1,236. Almost enough to provide three full sets of winter clothing to those in need. 💙 Donations can still be made via the QKR! App as we take the final steps towards our goal. We're only $99 away! Thank you for showing your care and walking with us in solidarity.
27 Jun 2025
From Facebook
In line with our Vinnies Winter Appeal slogan, we are holding a boot day to raise some much needed funds. These funds will be used by vinnies to provide warm clothing to people who are less fortunate in our local community. Cold and Bare? Show your care, "Boots to wear!" Wear your boots on Monday!
25 Jun 2025
From Facebook
The Stage 2 Soccer Gala Day ⚽️ 🥅 was a whirlwind of excitement at Jamison Oval yesterday as our students showcased not only their growing soccer skills but also their resilience and teamwork. From the first whistle to the final goal, our four St Thomas Aquinas teams demonstrated remarkable improvement in their gameplay, adapting swiftly to each challenge presented. Their behaviour throughout the day was exemplary and they remained focused and positive, turning each shift in the weather into an opportunity to support one another and enhance their collective performance. Our Year 4 boys finished 3rd as did our girls and our Year 3 boys finished 8th and our girls finished 5th. Well done everyone on all of your bountiful effort. 👏 👏 👏 🎉🎉🎉🎉
23 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Some more fun from our UBUNTU Africa performance today. It was great to see everyone actively involved in the music and dancing.
22 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to our award recipients this fortnight. We are very proud of all your hard work and efforts. A special congratulations to Bridget who won the Blue Mountains writing award in the years 10-12 division with the theme 'Only I can Say'.
20 Jun 2025
From Facebook
🌙 Pyjama Day for Vinnies! 💤 Today we wore our comfiest pyjamas to school. Not just for fun, but to raise awareness and support for those in our community who are doing it tough this winter. ❄️❤️ Pyjama Day reminds us that while we get to go home to warm beds, many in our community aren’t as lucky. All donations go directly to Vinnies Winter Appeal, helping provide food, blankets and support to those experiencing homelessness and hardship. 💙 You can donate easily through the QKR! App – every dollar makes a difference. Let’s cosy up and show our compassion.
20 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Our FIAT students have been working hard and are all set for their Winter Appeal Liturgy. It will begin at 12:45 prior to assembly. See you there!
19 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Year 1 have been exploring the concept of Sound Energy and Pitch. We love Being Scientists on Thursdays.
18 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Today, we dressed in blue to show our support for our NSW Blues team. A fun day with our classmates.
18 Jun 2025
From Facebook
🏟️ Our S.T.A Boys Stage 3 soccer teams kicked off our first gala day today showcasing their talent and teamwork in a series of exciting matches against some highly skilled school sides. With fast-paced action, clever plays, and plenty of goals, the teams gave it their all on the field. Win or lose, their positive attitude never wavered—they played with heart, had a blast, and demonstrated fantastic sportsmanship throughout. A great effort by both our year 6 and year 5 teams, finishing up 4th place in their pools. Great work boys! ⚽️🥅⚽️👏 👌🤜⚽️🤛💪 ⚽️ 🥅⚽️
17 Jun 2025
From Facebook
👟👟👟Congratulations to our STA Cross Country Champions! All competing brilliantly at the NSWCCC Championships held at the Sydney Equestrian Centre. Talen, Catherine, Charlotte, Dominic, Tighe and Olivia all making St Thomas Aquinas very proud of your efforts. Woohoo!🎉 🎉🎉🎉
16 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Last Friday night, some of our Stage 3 students were joined by their peers from St Canice’s, Katoomba and Our Lady of the Nativity, Lawson for the Vinnies Winter Sleep out. The night offered them the opportunity to have just a small glimpse of the challenges faced by those who are experiencing homelessness — a reality that’s not a choice. Thank you to Roydon Ng and Kim Crawford from Vinnies for making this experience more enriching for our students by speaking to them about homelessness. 💙 Thank you for supporting this opportunity to grow in empathy and understanding. You can continue to help by donating to the Vinnies Winter Appeal through our upcoming Pyjama Day 💤👕 via the QKR! app 📲. 🧊 Cold and bare? Show your care — boots to wear! 👢
16 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Today, we had a police officer come and talk to our students about how to be safe online. Students attended in three groups - K-2, 3-4 and 5-6 with the message and content appropriate to the age of the students and how they might be using devices and being online. The program has been developed by the Federal Police and is called ‘ThinkUKnow’. More information and resources visit the ThinkUKnow website. Students have been encouraged to come home and talk to their families about what they’ve learned about being safe online including their profile/usernames, who they communicate with online, what they might post and how to get help.
16 Jun 2025
From Facebook
A fabulous day was had by all last Thursday at our school Athletics carnival. It was a glorious day in the mountains where our students displayed great sportsmanship as they strove to do their best in their races, field events and tableau games. There was such a positive vibe as we danced and ran and played with our peers. Today, we are holding our 100m finals at Columba Oval. Good luck to those who are running today.
13 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Faith in Action - A Springwood collaboration On Wednesday, our students were joined by Year 10 students from St Columba’s. The Year 10 students worked together to teach our students about Mercy by engaging with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. What a wonderful example of faith in action across our school communities.