Parish Directory
St Ambrose – A brief Parish History
| 1886 | Railway line opened making possible close settlement in this area. |
| 1921 | Land bought for the site of the church on corner of Queen and Stuart Streets. Adjoining land subsequently bought for school site at a cost of ₤590 ($1180). |
| 1922 | Census of Catholics taken. 38 families living within present Parish Boundaries. |
| 1923 | Archbishop Michael Kelly blessed the foundation stone for the church. Prior to the building of the Church, Mass was celebrated in private homes. |
| 1924 | Archbishop Kelly opened the Church. Debt to the National Bank ₤3,578-18-10. Classes began in the Church. Sister Thaddeus in charge. The Sisters of Charity were resident at St. Mary’s, Concord and for 13 years traveled daily to Concord West. |
| 1925 | Move to separate from St. Mary’s Parish defeated in local ballot of Catholic residents. The collection the previous Sunday was ₤1-10-0 ($3.00). |
| 1929 | St Ambrose Parish separated from St. Mary’s. Father John O’Reilly as Parish Priest. Sr. Blandina in charge of school. Difficult times ahead. Onset of the Great Depression. |
| 1930 | A cottage in Stuart St. opposite the school was bought and served as a Presbytery until the building of the present Church and Parish House. |
| 1931 | Father (later Monsignor) Leslie Carroll appointed as Parish Priest. He served the Parish until his death thirty-eight years later. He was the inspiration and motivating force behind the present Church and Presbytery. |
| 1937 | Cottage in Mackenzie Street bought for use as a Convent. |
| 1949 | Construction of a school building began. |
| 1970 | Father Patrick Frost appointed as Parish Priest. Parents and Friends’ Association established. First Parish Council appointed during Fr. Frost’s incumbency. |
| 1977 | Extensions to the school were made. |
| 1978 | The last Sisters of Charity leave the school. |
| 1979 | Father Kevin McGovern appointed as Parish Priest. |
| 1984 | Father Kerry Bayada appointed as Administrator. Ministry of Acolytes instituted. |
| 1985 | Father Brian Gallwey appointed as Parish Priest. Antioch group for young parishioners established. |
| 1995 | Father David Vaughan appointed as Parish Priest. Presbytery converted for greater community use. R.C.I.A. group started. |
| 2000 | Major School refurbishment undertaken. Old Confessionals in the Church converted to Chapels dedicating Mary MacKillop and Sts. Anthony and Lucy. |
| 2008 | Father Brian Egan appointed Parish Priest. |
St Ambrose Catholic Parish
Address: 2 Burke Street Concord West NSW 2138
Postal Address: PO Box 11 Concord West NSW 2138
Phone: (02) 9743 1023 Fax: (02) 9736 3702
Email contacts:
Web: www.stambrose.org.au
Parish Personnel
Parish Priest: Fr Brian Egan
Parish Secretary: Nicky Antonio
Sacramental Coordinator: Ana Credentino
School Principal: Mrs Cathy Young
School Phone: 9743 5605
School Fax: 9743 6225
Sunday Masses
| Saturday Vigil | 6:00 pm |
| Sunday | 9:30 am |
| Youth | 5:00 pm |
| Italian | 6:00 pm |
Weekday Masses
| Monday | 9:00 am |
| Tuesday | 7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am |
| Thursday | 9:00 am |
| Friday | 9:00 am or 9:15 am school masses |
Pastoral Council
| Fr Brian Eagan | Cathy Young | Lanna Leung |
| Vivienne Cole | Rosario Camuglia | Abby Turner Jensen |
| John Prem Kumar | Fernanda Cicciari | Melita Breen |
| Kylie Buckley | Liz Akerboom | Sophie Ryan |
Adoration: Monday & Friday 6:00-9:00 pm; Tue 6:00-7:15pm; Sat 4.30-5.30pm
Italian Cenacle: Monday 9:30 am
Holy Hour & Cenacle: Wednesday & Friday after morning Mass
Baptisms: By appointment only. Contact Parish Office.
Weddings: By appointment only. Contact Parish Office.
Ministry to Sick: Please contact the Presbytery regarding sick and housebound Catholics so that they may receive the appropriate sacraments.
Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist:
Parish based Sacramental Program. Contact Parish Office on 9743 1023.
Ministries of Service
“Ministry is the activity of the Church as it s carried out by all members of the Church at every level and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, enabling to carry on the mission of Jesus Christ to the world.” St. Paul wrote to the people of Corinth in the early Church. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit and then there are varieties of services, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities; but the same God activates all of them in everyone.
Baptism Ministry
Assisting couples to prepare for the Baptism of their children. If you would like to know more, contact Maryanne & Mark Taffa 0408 263 163.
The Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA)
RCIA is the process for people who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. After two inquiry evenings in early September, the process continues weekly through to the Easter Vigil, on which occasion, those unbaptised persons coming into the Church receive the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist. And those coming into the Church from another Christian tradition are received into full communion with the Church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Gatherings are usually on Thursday evenings,, with a recess of six weeks at Christmas.
Contact Parish Office 9743 1023.
Primary and Preschool Children’s LiturgyChildren’s Liturgy of the Word is celebrated with pre-schoolers (3-5 years) and children (K-6) at 9:30 am Sunday Mass. Children reflect on the Sunday Gospel through age appropriate activities. |
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Liturgical Ministries
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist the priest at Mass and Liturgical celebrations. They are trained and appointed by the Parish. They assist in the sanctuary as acolytes or senior servers, with the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass, as Presiders at the Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion, and by taking Communion to the Sick in their homes or in nursing homes. Contact person: Fr Brian 9743 1023
Altar Servers
Girls and boys are able to serve in this Ministry after they have received their First Holy Communion. Training is required before serving. Enquiry: Ana Credentino 9743 1023 Mon or Fri.
Liturgy Group
A small group of parishioners form a Liturgy Group which meets about every two months to review liturgical ministries and to plan for coming festive Seasons or Celebrations.
Music Ministry
Members of the Eucharistic Assembly lead the Congregation in singing at the weekend liturgies and also gather as a special Choir for special liturgical celebrations. Contact person: Eleanor Williams 9736 2034.
Ministers of the WordAs lectors, they serve as Proclaimers of the Word at the Eucharist. Training is essential and they are appointed by the Parish. Contact person: Lores Borg 9743 1660. |
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Sacramental Program
All children in our Parish are prepared for the Sacraments of Confirmation (Year 6 and over), Reconciliation (Year 2 and over) and Eucharist (Year 3 and over) with an information night for parents, and a five week home group program. All children are to be registered at the Parish Office for each of the sacraments. Contact Sacramental Coordinator 9743 1023.
St Ambrose Morning TeaA morning tea is held after Mass on the first Sunday of the month. The morning tea is held in the church grounds and a great way to meet other parishioners. Contact Parish office 9743 1023. |
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Australian Church Women (ACW) Burwood-Concord Branch
Australian Church Women from a network of committed Christian women, dedicated to fellowship and service across denominational national and international boundaries. The ACW sponsors two annual celebrations – Fellowship Day in July and World Community Day in October. Contact persons: Aileen Morris 9743 6443 and Trish Leckie 8765 1295.
Catholic Women’s League (CWL)In 2000, CWL opened a branch in St Ambrose parish. Our aim is to support other groups in the Parish when the need arises. A monthly meeting is held on the 4th Saturday at 4:30pm and members then attend the Vigil Mass together. Involvement can be as little or as much as you like. CWL is a voice for women in the Church and society addressing social and moral issues in many areas. Membership of CWL automatically makes you a member of the World Union of Women’s Organisation which attends United Nations gatherings in a non-political capacity. Contact person: Helen Butler 9743 1848. |
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VASA (Volunteer Associates of St Ambrose)
VASA is a group of Parishioners who see a need for assistance in our midst and ask “What can I do?’ Volunteers generously offer their time and services with hands on help.
We maintain contact with the elderly by organising monthly morning tea outings, assist with shopping on a fortnightly basis using the Council Community Bus, and provide transport where necessary for appointments. The Group also arranges regular Masses with Sacrament of the Sick, and meets monthly (1st Thursday) for prayer and mutual support. We welcome anyone who would like to join us.
Contact persons: Kerry Wijngaarden 9736 3686 and Trish Leckie 8765 1295
Charismatic Prayer GroupA small group of dedicated people meet together each Tuesday for Exposition from 6pm – 9pm. Mass is 7.30 pm. Contact person: Dianne Druitt 9743 3648. |
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Italian Prayer Group
An Italian Prayer Group meets on Monday mornings at 9:30 am in the church.
St Vincent de Paul Society
The members of St Ambrose Conference seek to help people who lack funds, food, clothes, furniture, accommodation and companionship. Much of the Society’s work is person to person contact through home visits. Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday after the 7:30pm Liturgy of the Word. Contact person: John Ryan 9743 2544.
Piety Store
The Piety Store is open before and after Mass. A wonderful selection of gifts is available for all occasions. The store supports our Parish. Items may also be ordered for you. Contact persons: Trish Ambrose 9743 3964 and Marion Shepherd 9743 6437.
Ministers of Hospitality
Members of the Parish Assembly are welcomed by Greeters at the Church door and the monetary offerings for the pastor and the local pastoral needs are gathered by members of the Assembly for presentation within the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Contact persons: Ushers/Wardens: Michael Culligan 9743 3382/Ghee Wong 9736 2797; Greeters: Margaret Willis 9736 1016
Catechist Group
Volunteer Catechists (Special Religious Education teachers) provide religious instruction and faith formation for our Catholic children attending Concord west & North Strathfield Public Schools. Classes are held each Tues & Wed. Contact person: Frances Gibson 9743 5201.
St Ambrose Parish Helping Ministries
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There are a variety of volunteers required to assist n the following Ministries. All enquiries are welcome and participation is on a roster basis. |
| Ministries | Contact |
| Brass | Parish Office 9743 1023 |
| Catechists | Frances Gibson 9743 5201 |
| Church Cleaning | Parish Office 9743 1023 |
| Counters | Parish Office 9743 1023 |
| Duplicating Weekly Bulletin | Parish Office 9743 1023 |
| Flowers | Parish Office 9743 1023 |
| Liturgy Group | |
| Minister of the Word | Lores Borg 9743 1660 |
| Mowing the Garden | Parish Office 9743 1023 |
| Typing Weekly Bulletin | Parish Office 9743 1023 |
| VASA | Kerry Wijngaarden 9736 3686 |
St Ambrose Family GroupsEveryone can belong to family groups which are made up of Parishioners of all ages who may be single or married, with or without children – just like an extended family.
Activities are organised by each group with no set day or time and there is no expectation to attend every event. Each group arranges activities, usually monthly, for minimal cost eg picnics, BBQs, games nights or participating as a group in community events. |
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Family Groups were established in the Parish in 2005. By participating in regular shared activities, members of Family Groups create special bonds and in turn build a community in which members know each other when they come together for Mass on Sundays.
Community spirit is fostered through talking to each other, coming together for various low cost activities and experiences. This leads to the development of mutual support in times of joy and sorrow.
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There are three groups currently active in the Parish – Flock of Eagles Wings, No Frills and Seekers. If you would like to come along and see for yourself, or would like to know more, we welcome your phone call. Paul and Kerry Wijngaarden 9736 3686. |
 Home Mass |
 Cycling on Weekend away |
Mission of St Ambrose Concord West
Standing united as one community
To live and share our Catholic faith
According to God’s Word
May we value each person’s dignity
Believing in the uniqueness of the individual
Respecting the needs of others and
Offering our combined talents to
Serve God in our lives which are
Enriched by our shared celebration of the Eucharist