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J U B I L E E S 2 0 1 6 |
8
O
n 28 January 1979, a Mass was celebrated in
St Gregory’s College Chapel by Fr Paul Ryan,
the then Parish Priest of St John’s Campbelltown,
to mark the beginning of a new parish, within
the boundaries of the parish of St John’s. This
parish was established to serve the needs of the
growing population of Claymore, Eagle Vale,
Eschol Park andWoodbine.
Fr Maurice Crocker was assigned to the area,
until he was replaced by Fr Brian King, from St
John’s parish. He lived in a house in Norman
Crescent, Claymore, rented from the Department
of Housing. As there was no church, Mass was
initially celebrated in the Claymore School Hall
each Sunday.
Fr King started a playgroup at his house for the
young pre-school children and their mothers.
A youth group was also formed with about
ten young people meeting each Sunday night
under Fr King’s leadership. The St Vincent de
Paul Conference was begun, withmen from the
Campbelltown Conference initially assisting
until newmembers were recruited.
A very enthusiastic Social Committee was
formed to develop the parish spirit, and various
functions such as dinner dances, concerts and
family picnic days were organised.
Sr Glenys, a Sister of the Good Samaritan from
Campbelltown parish, organised a dedicated
band of catechists to go into the local public
schools to teach Scripture, assisted by a number
of Year 11 students from St Gregory’s College.
By this time, the neighbouring suburb of Eagle
Vale was growing, and the road linking the two
suburbs at Boyd St was completed, so it was time
for more door-knocking. A number of dedicated
parishioners began helping Fr King in this
endeavour, and gradually more families from
Eagle Vale began coming over to Claymore for
Mass.
PA R I S H
beginnings