Stewardship

Over the past two financial years, the Stewardship Committee has continued to serve Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral through faithful custodianship, collaboration, and forward planning. We have supported Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay and the clergy in their mission of service, with a clear mandate to sustain the parish temporally while preparing for its future growth.

Our core responsibilities focused on financial oversight, asset and resource management, and the optimisation of parish operations. We strengthened financial reporting, administration, and fiscal processes, maintaining transparency and accountability across all parish activities. Procurement processes were reviewed and improved to reduce costs during challenging economic conditions.

Significant effort was directed toward facilities and maintenance. Preventative and scheduled works preserved the Cathedral precinct, enhanced landscapes, and improved the experience of parishioners and visitors. Security across the precinct was substantially upgraded through a NSW Government grant, delivering more than 100 new cameras, boom gates, and access control systems. These measures have improved safety for all who attend the parish.

Our parish-operated businesses continued to grow. The Gift Shop and Five Loaves Café benefited from more efficient operations and enhanced customer experiences, strengthening revenue streams while remaining welcoming spaces of hospitality and community service.

Organisationally, a parish restructure was implemented to address skill gaps and establish new roles aligned with the next phase of parish development. This work laid stronger foundations for sustainable operations and future projects.

A major milestone was the approval of the Development Application for the installation of a statue of Our Lady atop the Cathedral steeple. This visible sign of Marian devotion will soon grace the skyline, with the installation and blessing to be announced. We also submitted the Development Application for Stage One of the Parish Master Plan, an underground car park beneath the Cathedral forecourt. This project will accommodate nearly 200 vehicles and transform the forecourt into a peaceful, prayerful space for reflection.

Community engagement remained a priority. Productive meetings were held with federal and state ministers, members of parliament, and Parramatta City Council representatives. These efforts advocated for both current and future parish needs while reinforcing our commitment to active citizenship and service to the wider community.

Our stewardship was reflected in the success of the recent Gala Dinner, attended by over 500 parishioners and guests. The event raised $352,000 in support of the parish mission and highlighted the strong involvement of our youth, recognised as the future of the Church.

We thank all who support the work of the Stewardship Committee through prayer, generosity, and service. Guided by trust in Our Lady’s intercession, we remain committed to preserving our heritage, building for the future, and serving our parish with faith, responsibility, and love.