Farewell, Marist Fathers
It was with a sense of thanks and sadness that the parishioners of St Patrick’s in the Rocks, Sydney, gathered for the Farewell Mass of the Marist Fathers, who have ministered in this sacred place for 157 years.
The Mass, concelebrated by eight priests who have served in the parish, began with a procession accompanied by trumpet blasts and the sound of triumphal music. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the priests processed from the church to a standing ovation of love and gratitude from the congregation.
The Marist Sisters have a long-standing connection with the Marist Fathers at St Patrick’s Parish. Over the years, the Marist Fathers, particularly through their ministry in the confessional, encouraged a number of vocations to the Marist Sisters. Several sisters have also served at St Patrick’s, most recently Sr Fidelis, who received special mention. A small group represented the Sisters for this special occasion.
Parish priest Fr Michael Whelan SM presided at the concelebrated Eucharist and offered thanks to the staff, volunteers, choir, and people of St Patrick’s, after which a memorial plaque was unveiled in the courtyard of the historic church by lay Marist Margaret Woods.
The plaque reads:
“In memory of the 162 Marists who served at St Patrick’s, September 1868 to December 2025. The Founder of the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers), Jean-Claude Colin (1790–1875), wanted Marists to be present in the Church as if living Mary’s life, instruments of God’s mercy, hidden and unknown. The plaque was donated in deep gratitude by the parishioners of St Patrick’s, December 2025.”
This beautiful church has been a place of worship for people across Sydney for decades, thanks to the pastoral care of Marist men over all those years. We pray that the Marist Spirit will continue to live and grow here.
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