Parish History

Our Lady of the Angels, Rouse Hill is the newest parish in the Diocese of Parramatta and probably in Australia.  For several years there had been talk of the establishment of a new parish, with the development goal of a church and school community.  Land had been purchased and ideas had been floated.  In May 2007, Bishop Manning wished to see the project move ahead and so appointed Rev Warren Edwards, giving him the task of starting a worshipping community in this new growth area, and establishing the new parish of Rouse Hill. It has been a wonderful challenge to form this new part of the Body of Christ, as it is not often we get the opportunity to build up a community and church from scratch in a new suburb.  We hope to form a vibrant, close knit worshipping community and build a Church which is faithful to the tradition as well as being relevant to the present and future. It is also a great opportunity to build a parish and school together in a communion which is, social, spiritual and formative.   From the beginning there was an energetic and enthusiastic worshipping community who met for masses at St. Gregory’s Armenian School hall. We started with one Mass on Sunday morning with about 150 people. This foundation group developed a parish formation council and moved things along quickly. We chose a name based on its simple beauty and the Franciscan background of the parish; “Our Lady of the Angels”. Due to demand, the services expanded to three masses each Sunday while still at the school hall. A need for a place of our own drove us to build a temporary church on the site of our future development. In February 2009 this church and car park were completed and worship has commenced in the new church. We now have three masses every weekend with about 500 attendees, mostly young families typifying the demographic of the area. The great involvement of the parishioners in ministries and social events speaks well of a positive future for the fledgling parish. The primary school will officially open on site in 2010 but has already commenced as a satellite kindergarten class at OLOR school. The first principal, Eva La Rocca, has been appointed and given the task to build up this new school.

PARISH PRIESTS & Administrators
Rev Warren Edwards
2007 - present

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FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION
There will be a 6:45pm mass on Thursday, 25 March to celebrate
the Feast of the Annunciation

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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Every Friday night in Lent, the stations of the cross will be prayed at 7:30 pm. This is a great way to do that something extra for Lent.

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SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
Preparation at OLA School

Confirmation Preparation:
Parents only 11 March, Thurs 7:30pm
Parents & Children 25 March, Thurs 7:30pm

1st Communion Preparation:
Parents only 29 April, Thurs 7:30pm
Parents & Children 13 May, Thurs 7:30pm

Overview and summary night:
Parents & Children 27 May, Thurs 7:30pm
 
Rehearsal & Reception of the Sacraments
at OLA Church Rehearsal:
Parents & Children 10 June, Thursday 7:30pm

Confirmation/Communion Day:
Parents, Children & families 20 June, Sunday 11:30 am

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 The Liturgical Reception
and Installation Mass of
The Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP
as the third Bishop of Parramatta
will take place this Thursday, 4th March.
Please keep him in your prayers.

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PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS THE FOLLOWING PARISHIONERS
Charlie Sultana, who is seriously ill. Arthur Matthews, Garry Anderson and Lena Napoli, who have recently deceased.

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COMMON POSTURE IN MASS
Reminder of the important ways that we pray together
both in word and posture:

During "I confess...", all strike their breast
at the words "through my own fault"

During the creed, all bow at the words "by the power of the Holy Spirit,
He became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made man"

A common posture, to be observed by all participants,
is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community
gathered for the sacred Liturgy; it expresses and fosters
the intention and spiritual attitude. GRIM 42

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SACRED SPACE REVERENCE
Please be attentive to keeping the atmosphere of silence and prayer before, during and after Mass inside the church. Please keep social talk to before you enter and after you leave. Thank you.