We 'ordinary' parishioner of St Patrick’s Cathedral often need to be forgiven for casually regarding the Cathedral as our local parish church (except with a few more seats!) We have become so comfortable in our own Cathedral parish that we sometimes forget its significance as the Diocesan Church.

And in our rebuilt, modern Cathedral, one of the most important ceremonies we could ever have was the Installation of our new Bishop, Anthony Fisher OP, on 4 March 2010.

Our second Bishop of Parramatta, the Most Reverend Kevin Manning DD, became our shepherd soon after our Cathedral was destroyed by arson on 19 February 1996. Heartbroken and harbouring feelings of (temporary) abandonment, St Pat’s parishioners finally saw our Cathedral rebuilt and reopened on 29 November 2003, all thanks to the incredible leadership of Bishop Kevin Manning.

I have known His Grace, Bishop Kevin for almost 10 years. He will always be remembered for bringing us to our new home, deeply steeped in powerful symbols that lift our hearts and souls. Bishop Kevin will also be remembered for his many pastoral works. In my mind, they include his most genuine interest in our youth, our homeless, our schools, social justice, and also reaching out to those of other faiths promoting peace and understanding.

As I immersed myself in the ceremony and liturgy that accompanied the Installation of our third Bishop of Parramatta, I kept reminiscing about the many priests, deacons and parishioners who had made memorable footprints in the life of our Cathedral. Our hearts felt like bursting through our chests with pride when our new Bishop processed into the Cathedral alongside His Eminence, Cardinal George Pell.

And as a faith family, we stood, sat, sang, kneeled and prayed together throughout the liturgy with great reverence and respect as our Diocese and Cathedral transitioned from one inspirational leader to another.

Surrounded by angelic music, and sharing the moment with countless bishops, priests and Catholics young and not so young, of different colours and origins, from Parramatta and across Australia, is an experience I will remember always. The joy of being part of it all was raised even more immeasurably when Bishop Anthony paid tribute to his own parents, family and friends who were there with us.

To witness the installation of a new Bishop happens rarely in anyone’s lifetime. So, I had no idea that in my role as the Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta, I would walk with our NSW Premier, the Hon Kristina Keneally MP, to welcome our new Bishop to Parramatta and Western Sydney. As civic leaders representing the people, it was an especially unexpected privilege!

Walking home as if with wings on my feet, I recalled those detractors prior to 2003 who criticised our new Cathedral saying that it would not look like a church but more like a factory. As a Councillor at that time, I was quoted in the press as saying “of course it is a factory. A factory for producing wonderful Christians.”

After the Installation of Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, I am thankful to God that we have and we are still ‘producing’ such a strong, vibrant and faithful Christian community. And now, we have a new, wonderful shepherd.

Click here for the Homily (speech) of the Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, now third Bishop of Parramatta.

Click here to watch the video of the whole ceremony.

Click here for more photos from the Installation.