A decision years in the making, the two parishes have been amalgamated into one – St Francis of Assisi Parish, Dungog Gresford.  

While the change marks a significant step in the life of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Parish Priest Fr Andrew Doohan says that for most parishioners, little will change in their day-to-day experience. 

“In many cases, not much will change for parishioners in terms of daily life,” he said.  

“The same liturgical events will continue in the same locations. The same activities that existed before the amalgamation will continue uninterrupted.” 

However, the change presents an opportunity to forge a new identity – something Fr Andrew believes holds great potential. 

“The primary change, a change that is full of possibility, is in terms of a new identity,” he said.  

“The challenge for parishioners will be in creating and forming this new identity and letting go of identities that were connected to the previous parishes. 

“The possibilities of our new reality for the ongoing mission of the parish are endless.” 

Fr Andrew adds it is something the parish and broader Diocesan community should be excited about, particularly under the guidance of their patron saint, St Francis of Assisi.  

The name of the parish was chosen through a community nomination and voting process, resulting in 23 potential patron saints finding their way onto the ballot paper.  

This journey of discernment and community discussion stretched over several months, and the use of a preferential voting system resulted in St Francis of Assisi emerging as the preferred choice.  

“The reasons for his nomination, as expressed when people put him forward, also speak of the possibilities that we can explore as a new parish,” Fr Andrew said.  

Some responses included:  

a) St Francis is the patron saint of animals, which is an important aspect of the farming life that is still prevalent in the parish b) St Francis is strongly associated with the care of creation that is an innate part of rural life: and there’s a connection with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the title of which comes from the words of St Francis, and c) the Prayer of St Francis (“Make me a channel of your peace…”) speaks of the hopes we have for the new parish.

To mark the beginning of this new chapter, the community recently gathered for a pilgrimage across all four churches within the new parish boundary. 

“It was a wonderful morning, and some parishioners attending hadn’t visited some of the other churches that are now part of the Dungog Gresford parish,” Fr Andrew said.  

“It was such an enjoyable gathering that we’re thinking of making it an annual event.” 

Looking to the future, Fr Andrew’s hope for the parish is simple yet profound: “That it continues to do what its predecessor parishes did, that is, to witness to and proclaim Jesus in the communities of which the parish is a part.”