Our Panel

Fr David Catterall – Parish Priest

Fr David Catterall was ordained on 25 March 2000. He is a priest of the Diocese of Wollongong NSW and is currently the foundational Parish Priest of St Mary MacKillop Parish, Oran Park – that began in June 2015. Fr David serves on the Council of Priests and College of Consultors for the diocese. Fr David is passionate about parish renewal and the importance of co-responsibility and collaborative leadership. Along with the spirituality of St Mary MacKillop, David credits the framework offered by ‘Divine Renovation’ especially the important of pastors working out of a parish leadership team and parishes having clear purpose and vision statements as shaping his ‘ministry style’. Over the 21 years of his life as an ordained minister, Fr David has served in the parishes of Wollongong, Nowra, Camden, Campbelltown, Rosemeadow and in his home parish of Albion Park. He holds a Master of Theology and enjoys musical theatre and watching ‘Parliament Question Time’ and TV series like ‘The Crown’, ‘West Wing’ and ‘Designated Survivor’. He enjoys reading – both novels, especially those of Australian authors, and books on parish renewal and evangelisation. Along with walking part of the Camino, he has enjoyed the opportunities to travel on the National Mary MacKillop pilgrimage, and attend the Divine Renovation Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia along with the Los Angeles Religious Education Conference.

“I am looking forward to this symposium as an opportunity to reflect with others not only on the joys and struggles of ministry over the last 12 months, but on ways we can in 2022 and beyond be bearers of Christ’s hope and good news”

Margaret Holles – Primary School Principal

I have worked in primary school education for over 20 years, with the last 12 years being in senior school leadership. I have worked in the Diocese of Wilcannia Forbes, Canberra Goulburn, however, most of my working life has been in schools within the Archdiocese of Sydney.

My personal educational philosophy is that all children can learn and it is the role of the teacher and schools to identify what students need in order to enable learning. I am committed to developing students as agents of their own learning and am passionate about equity and excellence in education.

I am a deeply committed Catholic actively involved in my parish as Senior Server and Minister of the Eucharist. I am actively committed to social justice having engaged in work with St Vincent de Paul through Brekky Van and Night Patrol.

I grew up in country New South Wales and moved to Sydney with my family at the start of secondary school. I am married and have 3 young adult sons and a golden retriever called Ruby.

“I have a passion to be part of this conversation of life after COVID and the opportunity for looking forward with a fresh heart and fresh hope that opens up possibilities for ‘doing a new thing’ to reach out, engage and grow communities.  

Being part of a conversation that is looking for a new way to engage the bedrock (parishioners/parents/community) and encourage the disconnected (who were invisible during COVID/who are the COVID forgotten). “

Emma Baker
Life, Marriage and Family Team Leader

Emma Baker is Team Leader for Life, Marriage, and Family in the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay.  She is working towards a PhD in theology looking at Saint John Paul II’s writings on the family as an image of the Trinity.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws and has previously worked as a family law solicitor.  She is married with four children and is passionate about parish renewal, poetry, pugs and good coffee (although not necessarily in that order!). And of course, she loves her family!

“I am passionate about supporting families to flourish in the tenty-first century. I see The Parenting Children Course and Alpha Course as key tools for a fresh pastoral outlook, one which is centred around the evangelisation and accompaniment of families.”

Elizabeth Welsh – Parent

Elizabeth is married with two children.  Her children are in years five and eight at Catholic schools. Elizabeth is currently working as a Business Analyst in the field of workforce planning in the energy sector. Elizabeth enjoys bike riding and is passionate about the environment. 

When asked to be on the panel for this Symposium, Elizabeth’s curiosity was sparked.  She decided to do it as it was time to say yes to new experiences and opportunities that existed beyond her current comfort zone. 

Ian Epondulan
Youth Leader & Pastoral Council member

Ian Epondulan is a volunteer youth leader of the Lourdes Young Adults Group, member of the Social Justice Group and participates in the music ministry as a choir member, Acolyte ministry and part of the IT & livestreaming team at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Seven Hills, Diocese of Parramatta. At a Deanery and Diocesan level, he is an Executive Member and Youth Advisor for the Central Deanery Pastoral Council and has been involved as a member of the Social Justice and Affordable Housing Steering Committee Member. He is currently the Chair of the Sydney Alliance – Voices for Power Northwest Caucus where through interreligious dialogue provides a platform for voices of diverse, ethnic, and cultural leaders to take lead in finding solutions with the pressure of energy prices and the effects of climate change in our local communities. He is also currently the Vice President of the Catholic Asian Student Society (CASS) which provides opportunities for university students from USYD, UTS, UNSW and MACQ to continue to grow in their faith whilst studying at university and has had previous roles as Spiritual Coordinator and Music Coordinator. Whilst studying at The University of Sydney he was the Refugee English Language Program (RELP) Coordinator of the Young Vinnies Society and is currently a Vinnies Van Volunteer and Conference Member. He hopes to continue to draw inspiration from those around him whom he serves with, to help journey alongside and inspire more young people to be alive and active in their Catholic faith.

“I hope to share some insights of the blessings I have received through active service and participation in the activities and life of the church and how I have been inspired by all that has shaped my journey of faith.”