Celebrating 40 Years of Faith and Mission at the 2026 Education Mass

Forty years of the Diocese of Parramatta provided a special backdrop for this year’s Education Mass, as students, families, educators, clergy and guests came together at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta on Wednesday 26 August to celebrate their shared faith and mission.

The annual gathering is an opportunity for the Catholic education community across the Parramatta Diocese to come together in faith, reflect on its shared mission and renew its commitment to forming young people who live their faith through action.

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, who reflected on the call for Catholic educators to bring out the best in every student.

“As Catholic educators, we have a sacred duty to accompany, to form and to bring the best out of every student under our care,” Bishop Vincent said.

This year’s event also marked the launch of ‘Light for the World: Faith in Action’, a new foundation for Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools to create meaningful opportunities for students to put their faith into action.

CSPD Chief Executive Officer, Jack de Groot, said the initiative would help ensure faith becomes more than something students learn about, instead becoming something they experience and live.

“Light for the World encourages our students to know and love the teachings of Christ, and to carry them into their homes, their schools and their wider communities,” Jack said.

“Our hope for all 46,500 students across the Diocese is that they learn more than just understanding what faith in action means. We hope they live it.”

The initiative builds on the Diocese’s strong tradition of mission and outreach, with students able to connect with a broad range of mission partners and put their learning into practice through service, advocacy and community engagement.

Bishop Vincent reflected on the 40 years of history of Catholic education in the Parramatta Diocese, noting that the first Catholic school in Australia was established in the Parramatta precinct 200 years ago.

He highlighted the legacy of the pioneers of Catholic education, who not only established schools but also cared for convicts, accompanied female prisoners and supported people experiencing vulnerability.

Their example, he said, continues to shape the mission of Catholic education today.

“Our schools are places where everyone is valued and encouraged to be their best,” Bishop Vincent said. “This is the essence of Catholic education.”

Jack also recognised the Diocese’s 40 years of faith in action, with diversity being reflected across all 80 schools in the welcoming of different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, brought together in classrooms and communities.

“For 40 years, one of the enduring calls of our Diocese has been outreach - to reach out to those on the margins, to those who are new to our communities and to those who just need someone to stand beside them,” he said.

“Our faith in action reminds us that diversity is not simply something to accommodate. It is something to welcome.”

The celebration also brought together distinguished guests, including NSW Minister for Education and CSPD alumna, The Hon Prue Car MP, Federal Member for Parramatta and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, The Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Member for Londonderry The Hon Julia Finn MP, Mayor of Penrith, Clr Todd Carney, CSPD Board Director Marea Nicholson, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

As the Diocese looks towards the future, the 2026 Education Mass called on the community to continue to build on its 40-year legacy, welcoming others and continuing to be people of faith in action.