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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
Denys Turner is professor emeritus of historical theology at Yale University and former professor of divinity at Cambridge University. Among his many books are The Darkness of God (1995), Faith Seeking (2002), and Faith, Reason and the Existence of God (2004). This interview was conducted at an April 10 event sponsored by the Lumen Christi Institute in Chicago. Read More
In an exclusive, RNS is publishing the leaked minutes of a heavenly committee on the future of humanity. Despite the danger of suffering from the divine wrath, we feel that publicising this document is in the public interest. The document follows. Read More
We are also the protagonists of an era that we have a duty to pass on. …To pass on, and to hope’ as we journey through Advent to Christmas. Read More
In recognition of International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD), the Diocese of Parramatta’s Mission Enhancement Team together with partner organisations hosted their final Peace, Justice, Ecology Table Talk for 2024 about intersections between disability, unemployment, and seeking asylum. Read More
If together this Advent, we can work on unblocking the light, then we can become the Star of Bethlehem for all the world, shining out from wherever we are, and the world right now has need of such stars. Read More
Pope Francis meets with participants in an international conference at the Pontifical Lateran University discussing the future of theology and invites theologians to develop a creative and inclusive approach to theology rooted in faith to make it relevant in today’s society marred by ideology and polarisation. Read More
Catholics across the Diocese of Parramatta are being invited to share the true spirit of Christmas this year, by supporting Parramatta Catholic Foundation’s Bishop’s Christmas Appeal. Donations will help Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains to provide vulnerable women in crisis with safe shelter, nourishing food, and support to build a better future for their family. Read More
What can women like Martha, Mary Magdalene, and Ruth — whose lives unfolded more than 2000 years ago — teach us today? And how should I go about reading the Bible? These questions set the tone for Catholic Youth Parramatta’s gathering for women, At The Well: Fearless and Faithful, on Friday 29 November at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown. Read More
Homilies must be prepared with the help of the Holy Spirit, be shorter than 10 minutes and put the spotlight on the Lord, not oneself, Pope Francis said. Read More
Pope Francis’ Encyclical Dilexit Nos on the love of the Sacred Heart is more like the writing of earlier Popes than his other Encyclicals. He quotes freely from earlier Popes and theologians, refers less to such current issues as war, global warming and artificial intelligence, and his words generally lack the saltiness we have become accustomed to. The passion characteristic of all his writing, however, shines through. 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