A Message from Bishop Brian on the health of Fr David Catterall
July 7, 2025
Bishop Brian Mascord
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
With a heavy heart, I write to share a personal update about our beloved Fr David Catterall. Since his diagnosis with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in October, Fr David has faced this illness with remarkable courage, hope, and faith.
Over the past several months, he underwent extensive treatment in the hope of a cure—including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Sadly, in recent days, Fr David was informed that the transplant has not been successful. As the presence of leukaemia cells continues to increase and with no further treatment options available, Fr David’s earthly life is now gently drawing to a close. He has now entered palliative care, where he is being tenderly supported by his loved ones.
Fr David’s strength, humility, and unwavering faith continue to inspire those around him. I had the grace of celebrating Viaticum with him and his family—a sacred and consoling moment of prayer in the midst of sorrow.
He has asked for one thing in these days: your prayers.
“To be accompanied in prayer is the greatest gift one can receive at this time.”
If you would like to send Fr David a note, card or email, these can be directed to the Oran Park Parish Office, and they will ensure your message reaches him:
Please join me in praying the following prayer, which draws on the witness of two of Fr David’s favourite saintly companions—St Mary MacKillop and Servant of God Eileen O’Connor:
Prayer for Fr David
O God,
You have walked with Fr David through many years of faithful and loving service, years in which he gave himself wholly to You and to Your people with a generous and steadfast heart. In his priestly ministry, he has carried Your Word, offered Your Sacraments, and been a sign of Your mercy and compassion to countless souls.
Now, as Fr David draws near to the end of his earthly journey, bring him comfort and hope. Let him know deep within that his life has borne fruit in Your name and that You, the Good Shepherd, are near.
We remember the words of St Mary MacKillop: “Remember, we are but travellers here.” Strengthen Fr David with the peace that comes from knowing this life is but a step toward the fullness of life with You. And as Servant of God Eileen O’Connor reminds us, “No other means save love,” may the love he has lived and shared be the light that now leads him home.
Hold him, O God, in Your gentle embrace and prepare a place for him in the joy of Your kingdom. Amen.
Please continue to keep Fr David and his loved ones in your hearts. May the peace of Christ be with him and with us all.
In Hope
Most Rev Brian G Mascord DD
Bishop of Wollongong
07 July 2025
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Our diocesan logo is theologically rich and very succinct. As a hand, it depicts our mission as a diocese and as individuals within the diocese, of bearing (bringing, carrying) Christ’s love to one another and to the world around us. In this, we are the hand of Jesus Christ, and we are offering ourselves to him so that he might work through us.
We can be the bearers of his love only as a response to his call and in the strength of his grace. We are reminded of this in two ways—through the symbol of the dove (the Holy Spirit) also present in the logo, and by the incorporation of the cross that segments the logo. The presence of the cross is a reminder that bearing the love of Christ will inevitably cost us if we live it authentically. However, in the way that the Cross is the portent of redemption and life—an echo of the tree of life in the book of Genesis—so becoming bearers of the love of Christ will also bring us to life.
The four fingers of the hand also represent the four regions of our diocese. The first is bluerepresenting the beautiful water of the Shoalhaven. The second is a blue and green combination representing the waters and escarpment of the Illawarra. The third is greendepicting the hills and plains of the Macarthur. The fourth is dark green illustrating the forests of the Southern Highlands.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
