A Place of Faith, Community & Welcome
Our Parish
Holy Cross is a welcoming, supportive and vibrant community of people who come together to share our faith in Jesus and to live it out by loving all around us. Our faith in Jesus is strengthened and renewed through our celebration of the sacraments of the Catholic Church, particularly the Holy Mass and Reconciliation. Our hope and prayer is that all people will come to be in a deep loving relationship with Jesus Christ and have a strong devotion to His holy mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Our History
In 1906, the parish of Holy Cross was cut off from areas administered by the Franciscans. This was the result of a notable increase in population. The first parish priest was Peter O'Reilly (1906-1931).
Click below to view a brief history of our church between 1906-1981.
Our School
Please visit our Catholic primary school in the heart of Woollahra, where faith and learning grow together.
We offer a nurturing environment focused on academic excellence, spiritual development, and community values.
Our Clergy
Fr Mirko Integlia
Nice to Meet You!
‘How is he?’, parishioners ask when a new priest is appointed as leader of the community.
‘How is Fr Mirko? What is his vision, his style, his priorities?’
This is not an easy question, partly because the answer depends on the specific situation of the community to which the priest is sent. Consequently, it is an answer that must be built together with the community.
On the other hand, there are certain aspects that reflect my personal style, and I would like to share a bit about this, by commenting on three photos.
My hometown is Presenzano, just outside Naples in southern Italy; it is a rural area known for its farms. My mum, Edda, passed away from breast cancer when she was 47, and my dad, Giacomo, died at 67 after falling from a tree. I’ve got one older brother, Giuseppe, and a sister, Teresa, along with my younger brother Vladimiro who is visiting Australia in March for 10 days and I am so happy for that.
In this small town, with fewer than 2,000 people, my soul was shaped by the spirit of family — by sharing, togetherness, and caring for one another.
Please don’t treat me like I’m an outsider or an ‘authority’. I’m coming to you as someone you have known for ages — like a father, a brother, an uncle, or a close friend. I’m coming to you with an open heart and a cup of coffee, just to spend a bit of time together.
I love singing. I truly believe in a community that is filled with the joy of music. St. John Bosco used to say, ‘A Church without music is a body without a soul.’ I dream of a Church that feels like the waiting room of eternity, all because of music.
Teaching is in my heart; I have been teaching even before I became a priest. Education is the key to my heart. As you know, I teach Philosophy at the Catholic University of Australia, and I want our parish to feel like a home for my students, too. I’m also committed to working closely with our school—I really want to be there for the staff, students, and their families. I am here for them, and they can reach out to me for anything they need.
There are other things that are close to my heart, like caring for those who are lonely or sick, but we will get to know each other better over time!
Finally, I want to introduce Samson, my 11 months old Bernese Mountain dog. I have always loved dogs, and Samson is a special dog, sweet and intelligent. He is a good friend who loves humans.
My friends, I cannot wait to start. What about you? If you are, ‘put your seat belt on!!!’.
Aparna John
ADMINISTRATION
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Joe Scicluna
PARISH SAFEGUARDING
Samson - Parish Pet
Bernese Mountain Dog, born 2 February 2024. Samson brings joy and kindness to our parish community every day.
Our Staff
Click HERE for more information
Our Parish Committees
Our Parish committees and councils, are made up of representatives from the parish community who advise the parish priest on various matters, such as pastoral ministry, youth engagement, worship, and fundraising, ultimately aiming to support the church's mission and the well-being of the community.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
As a consultative body, the Parish Pastoral Council has the right and duty to provide wise and constructive counsel to the Parish Priest to whom the pastoral care of the Parish has been entrusted by the Archbishop. Guidelines n. 2.2 Fr Mirko Integlia: holycrossbj@gmail.com Kylie Brakel, School Principal: info@hcpswoollahra.catholic.edu.au Ken Brimaud: kbrimo@gmail.com Jeanette Kearney: jeanette.kearney1255@gmail.com Nick Jeha: nickjeha@hotmail.com Dean Messina: deanmessina96@gmail.com Frances Rede: francesrede@hotmail.com Teresa Rede: teresarede@hotmail.com James Rubio: jrubiosouthey@gmail.com
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The focus of the Parish Finance Council is to assist the Parish Priest in the administration of the goods of the parish, whereas the scope of the Parish Pastoral Council focuses on the encouragement of the pastoral and evangelising activity of the Parish community. Guidelines n. 5.4.1 Fr Mirko Integlia: holycrossbj@gmail.com Ken Brimaud: kbrimo@gmail.com Harrold Dakin: harold@dakin.com.au Gianmaria Gentile : Ojgiamma@hotmail.com Robert Parker: armonkrob@gmail.com Joe Scicluna: joe_scicluna@hotmail.com Maggie Skinner: mskinner@bigpond.net.au David Wright: Davew_aust@yahoo.com.au
The Crypt – A Space for Every Occasion
Looking for a unique spot to bring people together?
The Crypt is available for hire and perfect for all kinds of gatherings—whether you’re celebrating a baptism, remembering a loved one with a wake, or hosting a community get-together.
With space for up to 150 standing guests or 50-70 seated, it’s a flexible venue full of character. Plus, we can also provide catering to make your event even easier to plan.
