Catholic Outlook Magazine | September Edition | Season of Creation | 2023 Issue

Clergy Support Foundation:
caring for those who have devoted
their life to caring for others
STORY PARRAMATTA CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
Fr Arthur Cook, Ellen Small and Mark Buhagiar.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
When a priest retires from official duties, it’s
important that we don’t forget them. As well
as making sure their health and wellbeing are
looked after, many need medical assistance and
transport to activities that help them to maintain
vital social connections.
The Diocese of Parramatta Clergy Support
Foundation carries out this work on our behalf,
making sure our retired priests receive individual,
personalised care and continue to be an integral part
of parish life.
In launching his Father’s Day Appeal in support of
the Clergy Support Foundation, Bishop Vincent said,
“Our priests never stop giving their lives in service
to our community. We are called to make sure there
is always someone to care for them, just as they will
always care for us.”
Fr Arthur Cook has dedicated his life to the Catholic
Church. “I had the call when I was 10 or 12, and I put
it off and put it off,” he said.
“People used to say, ‘I’m going to test my vocation’.
But I wasn’t testing it. I never doubted for a minute
that the priesthood was my calling.”
Fr Arthur was solely supported by his father after he
lost his mother when he was just 10 years old. When
he shared his decision to become a priest, his father
made many sacrifices to make sure his son could
attend the seminary and answer God’s call.
In 2020, Fr Arthur celebrated 50 years as a
priest, having served in many parishes including
Blacktown—his first, Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill,
Greystanes, Marayong, Riverstone, St Marys, Seven
Hills, Upper Blue Mountains, and Windsor.
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