All About Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Parramatta
Located in the heart of Parramatta, the Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral is a beautiful and historic church that has played a major role in the history of the city and region. From its beginnings to its present day development, the church has been a centre of faith, spirituality and community for many years. Whether you are looking to learn about the history of the church, visit the church for a service or just enjoy a coffee with friends, you will find that there is something for everyone at the Cathedral.
History
Located in Harris Park, Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral is one of the busiest parishes in Sydney. It is home to more than 30,000 parishioners, and is also the largest Maronite Catholic Parish in Australia. The church has undergone many internal refurbishments, and plans to add Sunday Masses in English, as well as daily Masses for the younger generation.
The church's foundation stone was laid by Cardinal Gilroy on 22 March 1970. It was one of the first Maronite churches in Australia. It served the local Maronites for 70 years. Its first pastor was Abdallah Assaf.
The community began to grow, and new churches were built. In the late '70s, local Maronites established a monastic order, and the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family set up their own school in Redfern. In 1988, the Maronite Sisters purchased the Carmelite Convent in Dulwich Hill.
In 2005, Our Lady of Lebanon in Wollongong opened a new church. It is the only Maronite Catholic Church in the state, and is currently serving an estimated 160,000 members. It has also added Sunday Masses, and will have extra priests to serve the community.
Maronites have a tight-knit community. They are committed to maintaining Lebanese culture and language. They also have a network of institutions that cater to the needs of the community. Some of these include schools, churches, and child care facilities. These institutions have been built by the community with simple resources, and have become a source of support and identity for the Maronite community in Sydney.
In 2000, Prime Minister John Howard visited Our Lady of Lebanon College. He was joined by NSW Parliamentary John Brogden. The Premier was given a tour of the site, and was able to attend mass with more than 100 staff.
Clergy
Located in the western part of Sydney, Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Australia. It was founded in 1820 by Father John Therry. It was attended by boys and girls from all parts of western Sydney.
Parramatta was also the site of the first purpose-built orphanage for Catholic children. The Roman Catholic Orphan School in Parramatta was opened in 1844 and was funded by the New South Wales Government. The school was operated by a committee and housed 320 children at a time. In 1859 the school became a Catholic industrial school for girls, known as the Parramatta Industrial School for Girls.
The Maroun Eparchy of Sydney has expanded beyond New South Wales and into New Zealand and Oceania. Pope 204/2019 announced the expansion of the Eparchy to include the countries of the Pacific. In addition, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Mansour as the third bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. In 2004, he was installed as Bishop in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon. His installation was followed by a Thanksgiving Mass on the eighth anniversary of his episcopal ordination. He presided over the Mass.
The aforementioned Wesleyan and Presbyterian schools in Parramatta were amongst thirteen private schools that were established in the area. The most famous of these schools was the Dr. William Woolls school, which was later relocated to the Newlands area of Sydney. The National School in Parramatta was conducted in a building that had been used as a church for the previous century.
The Roman Catholic Orphan School in Parramatta also boasted the largest number of sacraments. Its most important contribution was the first Confirmation in Australia.
Choirboys
Having a good choir is not an easy task. This is particularly true for young males who are not exactly a hive mind. But that's not to say that a choir is not an important part of the parish.
The cathedral has its own music department. This includes the aforementioned organist, a cantor and an assistant, and has a small team of musicians whose services are often contracted for weddings and other special occasions.
There are also numerous committees and subcommittees that make up the fabric of the parish. The most notable are the ones that are responsible for maintaining the church and enhancing its offerings to the community. And in keeping with the spirit of the Maronite Church, the community is encouraged to grow.
The choir has a number of scholarship schemes to reward the hardy souls who persevere. Those in the know know that the cathedral has a plethora of talented musicians.
The cathedral is home to a good-sized organ, which is the primary instrument for cathedral liturgies. The 1898 Norman & Beard is a work of art. The cathedral has a number of excellent organists. And it's one of the few places in Australia where you can get your sins washed.
Amongst the myriad of music gurus at the cathedral are Tim McLaughlin, who is an attorney and solicitor and organ scholar at St Patrick's Cathedral in Parramatta. He has played the church organ for most of his life and does the unmentionable in other roles in the cathedral. And the cathedral is no stranger to the burgeoning music scene in the western suburbs.
Impacts of development on historic district
Among the many impacts of development on the historic district of Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Parramatta is the construction of new residential towers. This is a massive redevelopment that is threatening to overshadow the Collingwood Cathedral. This plan is opposed by a number of local organisations and custodians of early-colonial historic sites.
One of the main concerns is the impact on the parish's worship community. The height of the residential towers will affect the light that enters the Church. Another concern is the noise from the apartments.
There is also opposition from the nearby aged care home. The Parramatta and District Historical Society also opposes the development. Its current building was built in the 1890s. The Roman Catholic Church also opposes the project.
The Church is the largest Maronite Catholic parish in Australia. The parish's population grew from 10,000 to 30,000 in 40 years. The church also helped encourage growth in the Maronite community.
The church's history is tied to Parramatta. It was here that Governor Phillip befriended a young Darug boy called Baludarri. He traded fish with the settlers and acted as a translator to Governor Phillip. He was buried in Phillip's garden in Sydney.
During the first decades of the colony, the British government tested the limits of administrative and moral governance. The convict settlement proved the economic viability of the colony. During the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the British government also built a range of institutions, from asylums to factories. Among the convicts were Afro-Americans, rebellious slaves from the West Indies, insurrectionists from Canada, trade unionists from Europe, and military prisoners from India.
Planning application
Whether or not you believe the proposed development of a new residential tower and aged care facility next to Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Parramatta is an "opportunity", there is a lot to consider. This development will bring noise, traffic and disruption to the area. It also has the potential to reduce the community of worshippers in the area.
The plan is being opposed by the Marramatta and District Historical Society, the National Trust and Sydney Living Museums. They say the apartment plans are excessive. They argue the height of the residential apartments will hinder activities in the parish and impact on the light entering the Church. Similarly, they worry the balconies and roof gardens will be a site for mass gatherings.
Other stakeholders include the Roman Catholic Church and the nearby Mercy Health Home for the Aged. The aged care facility will be built over four levels and have a rooftop patio. It will include a chapel, day-care and wellness centre for the elderly. It will be located just behind the co-cathedral and will be managed by Mercy Health. The home will offer 85 private rooms with ensuites. The house will also provide a fresh approach to residential aged care.
The project will also involve a state-of-the-art aquatic center in the Green Square urban renewal area. It will feature a striking architectural design. The center will have a rooftop patio that will allow the residents to enjoy views of the Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral and the Elizabeth Farm estate.
The project is also slated for a new primary school. This is part of a more significant proposal by School Infrastructure NSW, which will form part of the Sports and Education sub-precinct.
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