Christ Church St Laurence

06/09/2026

Christ Church St Laurence Livestream

04/09/2026

SONGS & PLAY AND YOUNG CHILDREN'S MINISTRY UPDATE

We are so very pleased to announce the new appointment of Veronica Vella as the Co-Ordinator of our flourishing Songs & Play program in The St Laurence Centre. Veronica will also be organising some number of childrens' ministry events for the youngest people in our congregation spread over next year. Veronica recently completed her Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is a former Evensong Choral Scholar at Christ Church St Laurence. We are pleased to be supporting Veronica's career ventures in early music education and it is delightful to have Veronica return to our CCSL community following her very positive time in our Choral Scholar program.

Songs & Play is a parents and pre-school bubs musical activity group every Wednesday morning following the school term. Songs & Play brings together singing, movement, instruments, storytelling, and imaginative play for young children and their caregivers. Along with two highly experienced volunteers from our congregation, Veronica will be leading this musical play group that has 8-13 children regularly attend each week.

To sign up or find out more information, please follow the link here: https://ccsl.org.au/songs-play

03/09/2026

HARRY BRAMMA (1936-2026)

In addition to commemorating the Martyrs of Papua New Guinea on this Sunday 6 September 2026 at all our services, we will also be marking the recent passing of the composer and organist, Harry Bramma, at our 10:30am Solemn High Mass.

For those of you who keenly follow our published music list, you would know we initially had a different motet planned: the Choir of Christ Church St Laurence will now be singing 'The Souls of The Righteous', by Harry Bramma, in his memory. Our choir is proud to have in their regular repertoire this beautiful anthem by such an important contributor to sacred music of our tradition from the Twenty-First century.

If you would like to join us especially for this, here is the link to the scheduled livestream of our 10:30am Solemn High Mass on Sunday 6 September 2026: https://www.youtube.com/live/CyMx5xLayrQ?si=aeuxHSqZeCdUbHPz

May Harry, the Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, our recently departed loved ones, and all the souls of the faithful departed: rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

03/09/2026

THE MARYTRS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Join us this Sunday 6 September for the commemoration of the souls of the Martyrs of Papua New Guinea.

This day commemorates the hundreds of Christians including twelve Anglicans who were martyred in 1901 and 1942-3 in Papua New Guinea. We recognise them on this day for their steadfast faith and the sacrifice they made in choosing to remain in the sight of mortal danger.

Yesterday Wednesday 2 September was the official feast day for the Martyrs of PNG, as it marks the anniversary of the ex*****on of ten Christians in 1942.

THE COLLECT
Almighty God, you gave your servants the Martyrs of Papua New Guinea boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith:
Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

31/08/2026

The Requiem Mass for the Late Dr Douglas Golding will be held at Christ Church St Laurence on Thursday 3 September 2026 at 10:30am.

Please find the livestream link here, and if you would like a soft copy of the service sheet, please email the Parish Office at [email protected]

https://youtube.com/live/n4FbIySe8ts?feature=share

May the souls of Douglas and all the faithful departed rest in peace and rise in His glory.

Funeral Service for Douglas Golding (Thursday 3 September at 10:30a...

30/08/2026

Farewell Mthr Kathryn Bellhouse!

Mthr Kathryn's departure from her role as Director of the St Laurence Centre was announced some weeks ago. She has had a busy final week, complete with her final sermon on Sunday as a member of the CCSL clergy. We know Mthr Kathryn will be back in the future to visit!

The Friday Banquet was an initiative Mthr Kathryn started just over a year ago, and from fourteen guests at the first table, we now have nearly one-hundred each week. We also have the Monday Hub breakfast initiative, partnering with HomesNSW. Mthr Kathryn was instrumental in the establishment of The St Laurence Centre as a registered charity, and we are still working toward financial support of TSLC having tax-deductibility. Also to come in some matter of weeks is the Wellness Partners, who will be using the largest room in our lower ground floor of 505 Pitt St as a dispensing pharmacy at a sliding scale payment system for customers in financial need.

Mthr Kathryn was also a third of our clergy. She is a mainstay to the Young Adult ministry meetups on Tuesdays and Sundays after Evensong. Many in our wider community know her from her pastoral care visits, fellowship after the morning office, and monthly Mass at Mittagong and the Community of St Marks. Alongside our other priests Fr Daniel and Fr Ryan, Mthr Kathryn has nurtured several discerning young people on their path to ordained ministry.

It was a big step for Mthr Kathryn to join the clergy of a Sydney Anglican church, and we are so blessed and grateful for how vivaciously, optimistically, and intellectually Mthr Kathryn engaged with our community for the full length of her time with us.

Mthr Kathryn is set to return to Melbourne this week, making yesterday Sunday 30 August her final day with us officially. We know she will be back to visit so this isn't a final goodbye, but her physical presence each day will be greatly missed. Please pray for Mthr Kathryn during this time of joy and change.

If you would like to contact Mthr Kathryn and aren't sure how, please contact the Parish Office at [email protected] and we will forward your message on to her. For cards and post, so that it reaches Mthr Kathryn safely, please address them to:

Mthr Kathryn Bellhouse
PO Box 1324
Haymarket NSW 1240
Australia

28/08/2026

REACHING US

Office hours 9-5pm Mon-Fri

[email protected]
(02) 9211 0560

CCSL PARISH OFFICE
Lower Ground Floor
505 Pitt St, Haymarket
NSW 2000
(Put 'St Laurence Lane Haymarket' into your GPS)
There's a loading zone right outside our new lift 10-3pm Mon-Fri. Just go slowly as you approach for the cars behind you!

CCSL CHURCH ADDRESS
812 George St, Haymarket
NSW 2000
Look for the red doors!

POSTAL ADDRESS
Christ Church St Laurence
PO Box 1324
Haymarket NSW 1240
Australia