Glenmore Gazette

Kevin Lee & Bill Hardy (project adviser) on top of the new church roof

From its humble beginnings in 1994, known appropriately at the time as “The Church Below the Roof Tops”, in a sprawling new housing estate where horses and cattle once roamed, to a new church being built on the top of the hill – now visible to all – Glenmore Park will soon have its own beautiful church dedicated to Padre Pio. The church is due for completion at the end of November with the official opening Mass planned for the 5th December.The Catholic parish of Padre Pio in Glenmore Park was inaugurated in 2004 and is the first parish in Australia to be named after the Italian priest who bore the stigmata of Christ. It has taken 15 years for the parish to have its own church building in the premises of Bethany Catholic school on William Howell Drive.
Fr Kevin Lee the motorbike riding, karaoke singing, Sydney Roosters obsessed parish priest was appointed to Glenmore Park six years ago by Parramatta Diocesan bishop Kevin Manning. Through his commitment and dedication to his flock and along with their active participation, he has driven the project so that the parishioners will soon have their own church.
At present, weekend Masses are celebrated at Caroline Chisholm College in Glenmore Park. With the completion of the church it is hoped that many more parishioners who presently worship in Penrith will attend services at Padre Pio church. According to the 2006 census of the 20,403 Glenmore Park residents surveyed, 37.1% identified themselves as Catholic. Fr Kevin expressed his appreciation “Fortunately they don’t all come to Mass every week, because we could never build a church big enough to accommodate them!”
Fr Kevin’s other ambition is to have an aspirant to the priesthood from Glenmore Park. Fr Kevin with his ability to relate to people of all walks of life is an inspiration to the youth who wish to join the priesthood. Through his interaction with people, be it on the sporting field or in his priestly tasks, he shows that it is not all gloom and prayer but that in relating to people’s lives a priest can still join in the fun and laughter.
Padre Pio parish has plenty of community reaching projects from youth groups to secret men’s business. Often services are followed by light refreshments or may be a BBQ or a beer – so that a spirit of community is engendered – thus building on the precept that where there is community there is love.
People of all churches, faiths and denominations are welcome to attend the opening service on December 5 and the Dedication Mass celebrated by Bishop Manning on Valentine’s Day February 14 2010. For details visit www.padrepio.org.au. Donations for the building of the church would be greatly appreciated.
Article written by Lillian Barbara (PPP Communications)