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About
Welcome to the St Paul the Apostle Parish Winston Hills website! We hope this website provides parishioners and visitors alike with useful information about community. For further information please see the tabs below or contact us.
Thank you to the many volunteers who help with the running of our Parish. Our Parish Groups are listed below with a brief description. If you'd like to be involved in or would like assistance from any of the Parish Groups, please contact the Presbytery.
Parish Pastoral Council
Advisory Body of parishioners. Meets on the 1st Monday of each month, except January.
St Vincent de Paul
The Society is a lay Catholic organisation, the main work of the Society is to visit people in their homes to provide support, friendship and material assistance. We have a very active conference at St Paul's; they meet in the parish centre on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm for about an hour. Members have wonderful support from parishioners to continue the work. New members to help with this great work are always welcome.
Catechist Group
Teaches Scripture in three local state primary schools in Winston Hills.
Liturgy Group
Meets as advised in bulletin.
Music/Choir
Co-ordinates music and singing for weekend Masses.
Leisure Group
Social Group for over 50's. Meets alternative Wednesdays for outings and meetings.
Readers/Commentators
As per roster for Masses each weekend.
Acolytes/Ministers of Communion/Altar Servers
As per roster for Masses each weekend.
Children's Liturgy Group
Children 4-6 years old meet during the Sunday 9:30am Mass during School Terms. The Childrens Liturgy is not run during school holidays.
Sacramental Programmes
Arranges preparation of children for 1st Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation as required.
Parents & Friends Association
Advisory Body of parents at St Paul's School.
Knights of the Southern Cross
Meets 1st Tuesday every month at 33 Aberdeen Rd, Winston Hills.
The Council exists to advise and assist the Parish Priest in matters relating to the Pastoral life of the parish. It provides a voice to the concerns and needs of the parish community. Parishioners are invited to raise their concerns, questions or ideas at any time by emailing the Council directly on council@stpaultheapostleparish.org.
The Parish Pastoral Council meets on the first Monday of each month, except January.
PARISH PRIESTS
Father David Scott ~ 3rd February 1970
Father David Hume (Administrator) ~ 1st October 2009
Father Ranillo Creta ~ 1st May 2010
Father John Paul Escarlan ~ 16 June 2023
ASSISTANT PRIESTS
Father Greg Hogan ~ 28th September 1979
Father Jim Fowler ~ 11th May 1982
Father George O'Mara ~ 21st November 1985
Father Alan Glendenning ~ 8th December 1988
Father W Brymora ~ 11th August 1989
Father Val O'Brien ~ 4th January 1991
Father Peter Quinn ~ 15th January 1993
Father Basil Ekot ~ 11th June 1996
Father Lancy D'Souza ~ 15th May 1999
Father Suresh Kumar ~ 5th February 2013
Father Tovia Lui ~ 12th December 2015
Father Marcus Hazelman ~ 26 August 2019
Father Abraham Kunnatholy ~ 17 April 2023
DEACONS
Deacon Greg Walsh Commenced work in the parish 3rd December 1971 at the request of the Carmelites
Deacon Jim Phelan commenced work here 11th July 1997 until 21st November 1998
Seminarian Larry Torentino commenced work here February 2011
Deacon Shinto Francis commenced work here 27th May 2017
Photos from the Parish
Take a look at our gallery of images that span all the way back to the very beginning of our Parish. Witness the landscape, fashion and faith of the 1970's to present day in our preserved archive of images.
Latest News
“One must choose the lesser of two evils," he said. "Who is the lesser of two evils, that lady or that gentleman, I do not know.” Read More
For over three hundred years after the Roman demolition of the Temple, the Roman Emperors forbade the Jews to enter Jerusalem for all except one day of the year. They then gathered at the Western Wall, closest to the site of the destroyed Temple, to lament its loss. Read More
A statement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, acknowledged 2024 is shaping up to be the most dangerous year on record, despite the establishment of the Geneva Conventions 75 years ago, which are supposed to limit human suffering in fields of conflict. Read More
Local pet owners had the delightful opportunity to have their heavenly hounds and faithful felines blessed at St Anthony of Padua, Toongabbie and St Canice’s Church Katoomba in celebration of the Feast of St Francis of Assisi – the patron saint of animals, among other things! Read More
They are women who, in many respects, embody the ministry of deacons but without formal and sacramental recognition because the Catholic Church does not ordain women to the diaconate. Read More
Pope Francis preaches about synodality, but the canon lawyers are showing us how to make it more than a pious wish that can be ignored by pastors and bishops who prefer to stick to the old ways. Accountability and transparency don’t just happen. Church law must change so that councils can demand accountability from church authorities. Read More
After careful listening, many reports ask that the Church continue its discernment in relation to a range of specific questions: the active role of women in the governing structures of Church bodies, the possibility for women with adequate training to preach in parish settings, and a female diaconate. Read More
The new cardinal-electors hail from six continents around the world, including bishops from Australia, Canada, Indonesia and Iran. Eleven of the new red hats will go to bishops and priests from religious orders. Read More
Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, offers his thoughts on Pope Francis' words in Singapore about interreligious dialogue and his affirmation that "all religions are paths to God. Read More
Early Childhood Educator Elena Shemet from Baulkham Hills Family Day Care, run by Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains (Catholic Care WSBM), has been named Regional Educator Winner for the North West and Hills District in this year’s Excellence in Family Day Care Awards. Read More
Resources
Thank you to the many volunteers who help with the running of our Parish. Our Parish Groups are listed below with a brief description. If you'd like to be involved in or would like assistance from any of the Parish Groups, please contact the Presbytery.
St Vincent de Paul
The Society is a lay Catholic organisation, the main work of the Society is to visit people in their homes to provide support, friendship and material assistance. We have a very active conference at St Paul's; they meet in the parish centre on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm for about an hour. Members have wonderful support from parishioners to continue the work. New members to help with this great work are always welcome.
Catechist Group
Teaches Scripture in three local state primary schools in Winston Hills.
Liturgy Group
Meets as advised in bulletin.
Music/Choir
Co-ordinates music and singing for weekend Masses.
Leisure Group
Social Group for over 50's. Meets alternative Wednesdays for outings and meetings.
Readers/Commentators
As per roster for Masses each weekend.
Acolytes/Ministers of Communion/Altar Servers
As per roster for Masses each weekend.
Children's Liturgy Group
Children 4-6 years old meet during the Sunday 9:30am Mass during School Terms. The Children's Liturgy is not run during school holidays.
Sacramental Programmes
Arranges preparation of children for 1st Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation as required.
Parents & Friends Association
Advisory Body of parents at St Paul's School.
Knights of the Southern Cross
Meets 1st Tuesday every month at 33 Aberdeen Rd, Winston Hills.
The Council exists to advise and assist the Parish Priest in matters relating to the Pastoral life of the parish. It provides a voice to the concerns and needs of the parish community. Parishioners are invited to raise their concerns, questions or ideas at any time by emailing the Council directly on council@stpaultheapostleparish.org.
The Parish Pastoral Council meets on the first Monday of each month, except January.
The Children's Liturgy Group is organised for children between the ages of 4-7 each Sunday at the 9.30a.m. Mass during school terms. Each Sunday there are lessons prepared for the children and these lessons relate to the Readings of the day but at the child's level. Father has purchased some new and lovely resources for the Leaders to use. The programmes for each term are prepared in advance. Children leave Mass at the beginning to attend the Children's Liturgy and return to Mass after the Homily and in time for the Offertory.
The Sacramental Programme involves the organisation for the conference of the sacraments each year:
- First Reconciliation
- Confirmation
- First Communion
Further details are published in the monthly parish magazine The Note Book.
For further details, please contact our parish sacramental co-ordinator Sandra Sheehan at the Parish Office on (02) 9639 6516 (Mondays and Wednesdays)
Finance Committee
This groups meets quarterly and aids Father in making financial decisions for the Parish.
Music
The St Paul's organists performs regularly at the Sunday 9:30am service, and at the Easter and Christmas services.
Piety Stall
There is a large assortment of religious books and artefacts available at the Stall, which is open for the Vigil Mass and all Masses on Sunday.
Lending Library
A large selection of books and DVDs of a religious nature are available to borrow.
St Vincent de Paul Society
The Society is a lay Catholic organisation, the main work of the Society is to visit people in their homes to provide support, friendship and material assistance. We have a very active conference at St Paul's; they meet in the parish centre on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm for about an hour. Members have wonderful support from parishioners to continue the work. New members to help with this great work are always welcome.
Solo Parent Services (Division of CatholicCare Social Services)
Solo Parent Services particular focus is with those who are grieving the loss of their spouse or partner following separation, divorce or death. We recognise that these people who are grieving also face particular challenges associated with adapting to a new identity.
The role of Grief counselling is to accompany and assist people to come to a point of being able to reinvest their emotional and physical energy back into life and living.
Solo Parent Services offer individual counselling, support groups, psycho-educational programs and seminars which are conducted in a safe and supportive environment. These services are offered separately for those in the process of a separation and divorce or grieving the death of their spouse or partner. Our groups and services are currently offered from our offices at Parramatta and Blacktown, or Parish based in the Western Suburbs where required.
For more information contact Rita Chater on 8822 2222 or email: soloparentservices@ccss.org.au
A message from the principal
St Paul the Apostle Primary School, Winston Hills is a welcoming Catholic community, valuing our unique partnership of family, school and parish; providing opportunities for individual growth and striving for excellence in teaching and learning. Our vision is to 'reach new heights through a community celebrating faith, life and learning'.
The motto of St Paul the Apostle Primary is: 'Victory Through Faith.'
The commitment and contribution of the Holy Faith Sisters to the faith development of the school community has been, and still is, significant. The pastoral leadership provided by the sisters has ensured that our school motto is truly reflective of the school philosophy and spirit. The community spirit in the school is very evident and parents are welcomed and valued members of our school community. The quality of education provided is a high priority and the school leadership team and staff endeavour to do this in an environment which values the dignity and giftedness of every student and teacher.
The school's academic record continues to improve as evidenced by our results in NAPLAN - National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy. In 2015 our Year 3 students were above the state average in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation and numeracy. In 2015 our Year 5 students were above the state average in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation.
The school is fortunate in having a very committed Parents and Friends Association (P&F) who work in partnership with the school staff. The P&F Association provides a positive link between the school and parent body and helps build the strong community spirit of Saint Paul the Apostle Primary School. These strong links complement the academic learning to help the children grow into well-rounded people. As the first teachers of their children, parents play a vital role in the children's learning and are welcome visitors as they assist in literacy and numeracy activities, creative and practical arts and a variety of sporting activities.
Religious Education is an integral component of all curriculum areas and our sacramental program is parish based and family centered. We are fortunate in having the parish church located in close proximity to the school.
You are always welcome to come and visit our learning spaces to see what excellence in education looks like today. All enquiries regarding the school can be made by phoning the school office on 8841 3800 between the hours of 8.00am to 4.00pm.
Yours sincerely,
Marian Bell
Principal
We would love to hear from you!
Phone: (02) 9639 6516 • Fax: (02) 9686 1727