Catholic Outlook September 2015

DIOCESAN HONOURS
The inaugural Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth and Diocesan Certificate of Recognition were presented with the 2015 Diocesan Medal
of Honour. Photo: Alfred Boudib.
creative support for more than
two decades; supporting the
Liturgical team by ensuring the
decorations reflect the season.
Mr Brian Masonwells
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Parish, Greystanes: For his
conscientious guidance for
more than 40 years, sharing
his professional knowledge to
ensure the financial security of
the parish.
Mrs Annette Morris
Padre Pio Parish Parish,
Glenmore Park: For her tireless
and generous efforts; teaching
SRE classes and ensuring those
who are in need are provided
for.
Mrs Margaret O’Connor
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Parish, Greystanes: For her
nurturing guidance of new
members through the RCIA
for more than 35 years; she
continues to be involved in
parish life.
Mr Vincent Gerald O’Farrell
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,
Penrith: For his generous and
immeasurable support spanning
more than 85 years, always
offering care to those most in
need.
Mr Frank O’Malley
St Anthony of Padua
Parish, Toongabbie: For his
immeasurable contributions
over more than 50 years in
maintaining the parish and
coaching the local sports teams.
Mrs Anne Marie Pletkan
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,
Penrith: For her passionate and
tireless support of the parish,
continually working to better
the education experience of
children.
Mrs Marian Polizzi
St Patrick’s Cathedral
Parish, Parramatta: For her
warm hospitality and gifted
contributions for more than 20
years, including establishing the
Cloister Café, the Hospitality
Ministry and St Pat’s Matters
publication.
Mrs Lorraine Robertson
Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair: For
her energetic participation and
co-ordination of various groups,
which ensures the parish is
always beautiful, warm and
welcoming.
Mrs Sophie Ryan
Catholic Education Diocese
of Parramatta: For her faithful
and continuous dedication
for nearly 40 years to support
opportunities of education to
children through her work as a
teacher, principal and leader of
education in the Diocese.
Mr Raymond Samonte
St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-
Stanhope Gardens: For his
dedication and leadership of the
Music Ministry since the earliest
days of the parish when church
services were held in Holy Cross
Primary School library.
Mr Roberto Sarlabus
St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-
Stanhope Gardens: He has
been active in considering the
needs of the parish and tireless
in ensuring the clergy feel
supported.
Mrs Robyn Sawtell
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,
Penrith: For her creative and
generous contributions to the
parish, in particular designing
the liturgical banners and
guiding the production team.
Mrs Patricia Shaw
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Parish, Greystanes: For her
diligent and compassionate
service, most notably in the
Eucharistic Ministry for more
than 30 years and leading the
Heart Speaks to Heart Prayer
group for more than 25 years.
Mrs Shirley Stewart
St Anthony of Padua Parish,
Toongabbie: For her tireless
dedication for more than 40
years in both her official and
unofficial activities at the parish,
including as Parish Secretary for
half that time.
Mrs Janice Van Rys
St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish,
Parramatta: For her quiet
generosity over nearly 30 years,
assisting the Sacristan and
involved in the Music Ministry
both as a chorister and in the
production of choir robes.
Sr Joyce Vella RSM
St Anthony of Padua Parish,
Toongabbie, and Mary,
Queen of the Family Parish,
Blacktown: For her inspirational
commitment to these parishes
and her efforts during the
inception and development of
the Mamre Project under the
auspices of the Sisters of Mercy
Parramatta.
Mrs Manel Viswasam
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,
Penrith: For her enthusiastic
participation in the parish and
local community for 40 years;
a dedicated Catechist who
ensures those most in need are
remembered.
Mrs Sue Walsh
Catholic Education Diocese of
Parramatta: For her passionate
commitment to improve
educational opportunities
for more than 33 years as a
teacher, principal and now
Deputy Executive Director of
Catholic Education Diocese
of Parramatta; Sue continues
to advocate for support of the
parishes through education.
Mr Richard Ward
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Parish, Greystanes: For his
compassionate dedication for
more than 40 years as both
Parish Manager and parishioner,
caring for clergy and his
community.
Mr Leo Weekes
Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair:
For his active participation on
various committees, especially
his work on behalf of the St
Vincent de Paul Society.
Mrs Shirley Wehbe
St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish,
Parramatta: For her quiet
generosity for more than two
decades in the Cathedral Parish
and in the Maronite community;
most notably for her family’s
tradition of hosting a Christmas
Day Lunch at the Town Hall for
those in need.
Sr Pauline Marie Wong SPC
Chinese Chaplaincy, Diocese
of Parramatta: For her tireless
and inspirational ministry
to the Chinese Chaplaincy;
encouraging and passionate
in her example of serving the
community.
Mr Phillip Youngman
Our Lady of the Way Parish,
Emu Plains: For his many
contributions over four decades;
unstinting with his time and
participation through various
committees and ministries.
2015 Diocesan Medal
of Honour Posthumous
recipients
Mr Thomas Joseph Coogan
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Parish, Wentworthville: For his
generous support of the parish,
local and religious communities
for more than eight decades;
his warm hospitality and sense
of service ensured that no
need was unmet and no one
went unwelcomed. His widow,
Mrs Pat Coogan, accepted the
award.
Mrs Kathleen Mary O’Farrell
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,
Penrith: For her unceasing,
selfless support of the parish
spanning more than 85 years,
with her husband Vincent.
Kate befriended many through
the years with her kindness
and charity. Her daughter, Ms
Catherine O’Farrell, accepted
the award.
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CatholicOutlook | SEPTEMBER 2015 19