Parish History
Catholics have lived in Toongabbie since 1791, when Governor Phillip established Toongabbie as the Third Settlement. Recognition of Aboriginal ownership of the land at the time has to be acknowledged today and a debt of gratitude has to be expressed to the Dharug people who were the original occupants.
The 27th May 1928 is a momentous date in the history of the Catholic Church in Toongabbie. On that afternoon a meeting took place in the Cameron home consisting of the Catholics of Toongabbie, Monsignor O’Gorman of Parramatta and Father Furlong where they decided to raise funds to purchase a block of land for a Church.
In June 1928 the Ladies Social Committee was formed and they raised money for this purpose by regular collections and social functions which included dances and euchre parties at local halls.
Welcome to St Anthony's
St. Anthony's in the Market-place is exactly that. The church is nestled amongst the shops and close to the main western railway line in the town of Toongabbie NSW. The name Toongabbie comes from the Aboriginal language and it means: the Meeting of the Waters or Near the Water.
We are a Catholic Christian Community striving to be a place of welcome and belonging and participative worship. We aspire to be sensitive to those who feel isolated and alienated. Self-help groups as well as other faith-community groups fulfil a big need in nurturing people and providing people with meaning and a belief-system.
The Sunday Eucharist is at the core of our faith. By following the Common Lectionary over a three year cycle, our community opens the Scriptures to reveal the wonder of Christ still working to bring about His Kingdom. The other Sacraments of the Church - Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Marriage, Ordination and the Anointing of the Sick mark God's blessing on us at key moments in our lives as Catholics.
2012 Sacramental Program
The Sacramental Program at St Anthony’s is a parish based program.
Facilitators provide parents with support, guidance, education and resources so that they are able to teach their children about the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist & Confirmation.
The program consists of parent meetings, children’s meetings, and rehearsal workshops, in conjunction with receiving the Sacraments.
Children are required to complete work set for them in work booklets provided by the Parish and to attend all meetings to qualify to receive their Sacraments.
Children are eligible to receive the sacraments at the following ages:
Reconciliation: Year 3 and older
First Eucharist: Year 4 and older
Confirmation: Year 5 and older
The schedule for the Sacramental Program in 2012 is here
For more information regarding any stage of the Sacramental Program, please contact Kristin Borg on 0404 820 625.