Construction has officially begun on Sacred Heart Parish Westmead’s new church, launching a new chapter for the 75-year-old parish. Source: Parramatta Diocese.
At the heart of the vibrant Westmead Catholic Community precinct – which includes four schools – the Church will bring together liturgy, worship, education and families, while celebrating 75 years of faith, service and connection to the community.
Parishioners, school leaders and community representatives gathered on Wednesday as Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv led a prayer and blessing alongside parish priest Fr Walter Fogarty; followed by a sod turn officially commencing construction of the new Sacred Heart Church.
Bishop Long said the celebration recognised the parish’s proud history, its 75-year jubilee of service to a diverse and growing community, and the promise of its future.
“This isn’t just about the physical building – it’s about a way of being Church … a Church that is more participative, more mission-driven, and more in sync with the suffering world around us,” Bishop Long said.
“Here we have not just a worshipping centre, but also the biggest and the most innovative Catholic learning ecosystem anywhere in Western Sydney.
“This is the Church that we want to be – sharing with the world around us.”
The new parish development will include a 400-seat church and expanded parish facilities, providing a welcoming place for worship, gatherings and pastoral care for the growing Westmead community.
Fr Fogarty said many of those attending the ceremony had deep ties to the parish across multiple generations.
“Today, Sacred Heart’s diverse community celebrated – parishioners who lived in Westmead before there was a parish gathered with those yet to take their first steps, with multiple generations marking this important moment in our history.”
While local Catholic worship in Westmead dates back to 1928, Sacred Heart Parish first celebrated Masses at Westmead Boys’ Home before opening its original church in 1954.
The new church project is one component of the wider Westmead Catholic Community development – a major co-located faith and education precinct announced in 2019 and approved by the Independent Planning Commission in 2023.
The church construction is expected to be completed later this year.
For more information, visit the Sacred Heart parish website.
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Sod Turn at Sacred Heart Parish Westmead (Parramatta Diocese)
