Welcome to the vibrant and thriving Catholic Diocese of Parramatta – the Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. We are the youngest Diocese, the fastest-growing and one of the most multicultural dioceses in Australia.
The Diocese of Parramatta is a diverse faith community representing many different ethnic groups, faith expressions, religious orders and age groups. However, we are all linked by the common purpose of following the path of Christ and continuing His work in the community. Grounded in the Gospel values, we walk together as Ambassadors in Christ’s mission.
Our Diocese spans seven local government areas and includes 47 parishes, each with its unique history and story to tell as part of our history, formation and growth. Since our earliest beginning in 1832, we have been accompanying people from all walks of life as they embark on, discern, question, or return to their spiritual home.
Our Catholic faith community goes beyond the pews. We have a network of Catholic agencies and institutions that are the heartbeat of the mission of our church. Each agency exists to continue Christ’s work in the community. From schools that ignite young minds with knowledge and love for Christ to our hospitals that heal with compassion, aged care facilities that embrace wisdom, and welfare organisations that show the face of Christ to all those in need.
The Diocese of Parramatta is more than just a Catholic community; it’s a diverse tapestry of hundreds of thousands of people woven by Christ’s love and all that it entails – acceptance, sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, solidarity and accompaniment.
“‘There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends.’ (John 15:13) These words of Jesus challenge us to be the Church that we should be and could be: a house for all peoples, an oasis for the weary and troubled, a field hospital for the wounded, a refuge for the oppressed, a voice for the voiceless and faceless.”
BISHOP VINCENT LONG NGUYEN OFM CONV, AT HIS INSTALLATION MASS, 16 JUNE 2016.
At A Glance
322,448
catholics
47
Parishes
40+
multicultural communities represented
120+
ACTIVE & RETIRED CLERGY
230+
RELIGIOUS
16
PERMANENT DEACONS
115,000
FAMILIES
43,000
SCHOOL STUDENTS
80
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
55
CHILDCARE AND BEFORE SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL SERVICES
200
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HELPING THE VULNERABLE, NEGLECTED AND MARGINALISED
23
HEALTH AND AGED CARE SERVICES
Diocesan Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Parramatta reflects colours and images that identify Parramatta, Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
There are two basic elements in our Arms: a metaphor of the geography of the diocese, and the signs of the unifying force of Christ. The colours used by the Diocese of Parramatta generally are blue and gold and are the basis of our shield.
The blue of the shield runs from the City of Parramatta to the Blue Mountains, as shown by two points at the top of the top of the shield.
The shield is cut in half by the river – this represents the Nepean Hawkesbury River. Over the shield is the Chi Rho monogram representing Christ the King – the letters X and P are, in Greek, the first two letters of the name ‘Christ’ – and this monogram is crowned, showing the kingship of Christ in our lives. In Heraldry, this shows that the Diocese of Parramatta is protected by Christ.
Next to the shield is a processional cross, and above it is a mitre – the traditional, ceremonial headdress of bishops. These two insignia show that this is a Roman Catholic Diocese.
You may be aware that Heraldry uses a unique language to describe Coats of Arms. For example ‘or’ means the colour gold, ‘argent’ the colour silver, and ‘azure’ the colour blue.
Here is how our Arms are described in Heraldry: “Azure, indented of two throughout in chief, the chief argent, overall in fess a fess wavy argent charged with a barrulet wavy azure, overall in pale the monogram XP crowned or.”
Learn more about our Diocese
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv
On 16 June 2016, Most Rev Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv was installed as the fourth Bishop of Parramatta at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
St Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral is the symbolic heart of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta – a dynamic centre of worship, prayer, community, and mission. Today, it stands as an iconic physical landmark on the City of Parramatta skyline.
Our Patron
St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop was officially designated as the Patron of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta on May 19, 2011, during the Diocese’s Silver Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Our History
Established in 1986, the Diocese of Parramatta was founded to serve the rapidly growing, multicultural population in Sydney’s western suburbs.
Our Locations and Boundaries
The Diocese of Parramatta extends from Parramatta to the Blue Mountains. Our boundaries reach from Dundas Valley to Megalong Valley in the west, from Luddenham in the south to Wisemans Ferry in the north. You can view all our Parish boundaries and the Deaneries they reside in here.
Governance
Our Diocesan councils and advisory committees contain representatives from clergy, consecrated religious and lay members of the community who ensure that the Church is responsive to the vast and diverse needs of people across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Working With Us
At the Diocese of Parramatta, our mission is to serve the diverse and multicultural Catholic communities of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains by spreading the Gospel teachings of love, compassion, and faith.
Our Teams
Our Diocese employs over 5,500 clergy, teachers, and staff as well as thousands of volunteers who help fulfil the mission of the Church in their local communities. We work in unison with each other as we share the same mission.
Job Opportunities
We invite you to be part of our journey, where your skills, creativity, and passion can make a lasting impact.
Ministries and Services Directory
The Diocese of Parramatta has a large number of services and ministries that support the community and the mission of the Catholic church.