It will be a big year for the St Mary Mackillop Parish in Rockdale next year with a number of big milestones reached.
2017 marks 125 years of the first Catholic Church and school at Rockdale.
It will also be the centenary of the former St Francis Xavier’s Parish, and the golden jubilee of the current Rockdale Catholic Church.
As part of the celebrations an official history will be put together.
The history will canvass the social history of the Rockdale Catholic community, which started with the arrival of German settlers, Joseph and Johanna Walz in 1857.
It will also follow the establishment of a Catholic school at Rocky Point in the 1860s, and the officially formation of the Rockdale parish in 1892.
The parish is asking the local community to come forward with any information and photographs from the era.
They are particularly looking for information on early families, educators, clergy and religious sisters.
Any memorabilia on the first St Joseph’s Church, the primary school and St Joseph’s Girls High School would be welcome.
For more information or to send memorabilia contact 9567 1558.