By Pia Tenedero

On April 21, 2001, the Arnold Janssen Chapel in Marsfield, NSW was blessed and officially opened by Bishop Peter Ingham, then Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney.

Twenty-five years later, this milestone was celebrated by the community that gathered for Mass on April 26 this year, Good Shepherd Sunday.

In his homily, SVD Provincial Fr Boni Buahendri recalled with gratitude the people that were instrumental to the building of the chapel, not least of all Joe Mangila, who was architect for the project. Joe remembers being introduced by Fr Bernard Espiritu SVD, Rector of the Marsfield community in 1999, to Br Theo Becker SVD, who was Provincial Treasurer. When the vision and provision for the construction came together, the ground was broken in 2000 and the work, completed a year after.

Built with purpose

Several things make this SVD Chapel stand out. It starts with the vision behind the external structure and the interior design.

Where the chapel is situated is beautifully intentional. Only a few steps away from Freinademetz House, the chapel appears to be a natural extension of the former formation house for SVD seminarians. On the other side of the chapel is the Patrick Murphy Hall, which today hosts various community activities like prayer meetings, bible study groups, talks, and the ‘Brekky Huddle’ of daily Mass goers. Flanked by the formation house and the community hall, the Arnold Janssen Chapel is a place where vocation is nurtured and formed and eventually sent out on mission. True to its international charism, the SVD has welcomed to its chapel Chinese, Indonesian, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indian and other migrant groups who gather for prayer and fellowship. Opening the chapel to the public symbolises the sharing of the mission with every person—clergy, religious, lay—all participating in the SVD vocation to share the Divine Word.

Inside the cosy chapel, on a beautiful sunny day, light naturally pours through the windows above the life-size crucifix leaning on the wooden wall of the sanctuary, feeding the room gentle light. This sensory effect brings to life the idea behind the stained-glass design, which depicts rain—symbolising the Holy Spirit raining down grace on those who gather in this house of prayer.

Treasured memories of early days

Many old-timers in this chapel have favourite memories of the early days and reasons why they continue to come.

Lan Wehrhahn—one of the Sunday Mass readers in the chapel—happily recalls her daughter being married in the Arnold Janssen chapel only five months after it was blessed. Fr Brian Byrne (†), who regularly presided Mass in the chapel, officiated the ceremony. Fr Brian is remembered fondly for his inspirational reflections and inviting presence, standing by the courtyard to welcome and send off people who came to pray.

Paul Chan—the all-around volunteer in the chapel—muses at how his involvement began on a grace-filled Saturday morning, when his curiosity led him to the SVD compound. He saw Fr Sunil Nagothu SVD, who was Rector at the time, cleaning the courtyard. Instinctively, he asked Fr Sunil whether and how he could help. From that day, Paul regularly cleaned the courtyard and walkway on weekends. His ministry grew after his retirement, when he started coming for daily Mass and was invited to help lead the morning prayer and be an altar server. Today, Paul also prepares the altar display for special feast days and helps organise chapel collections and various community-building activities.

Fr Dom Flores SVD—the most senior in the community, now 94—reminisces about collaborating with Margaret Wick to form the flower ministry for the chapel. Many others have helped prepare floral arrangements to enhance the beauty of the space—Yvonne Chan, Mary Jo Wadiwel, Ramila Rodriguez, Pauline Detjen (†), among others. Fr Dom has since relinquished this ministry to the more active and able lay members, but he continues to share his joyful presence to the community. On Sundays, he and his fellow SVD retirees—Fr Wim Valkx, Fr Don Grant, Fr Ho Tran, and Fr Pat Gesch join the community in the 9am Mass in the SVD Chapel.

Where faith finds a home

The chapel continues to welcome new members, including migrants who hope to find a place where they can belong. Like many international students, I came to Australia with this concern and the struggle of homesickness. But finding myself in the Arnold Janssen Chapel, I soon discovered that it is possible to find a home wherever God brings me.

Before coming to Sydney to study at Macquarie University in 2017, I had imagined a highly secular Australia and was anxious to find a place to live near a Catholic church. God graciously answered my prayer by introducing me to Ramon and Annie Coloma, who were good friends of Fr Mike Knight SVD. Through this connection and the support of Fr Viet Nguyen SVD, then Rector, I got a room in Mack’s Place, a student accommodation named after Fr Lawrence Mack (†), whose gift of leadership and foresight made 199 Epping Road the home of the SVD Australia Province and the place where the dearly loved Arnold Janssen Chapel now stands.

I remember joining Mass for the first time and being warmly welcomed by Paul and Yvonne Chan, who invited me to join the Breakfast Group for a cuppa in the community hall. From that day, this Chapel has grown to become my second home—the only place I think of coming back to whenever I can visit Australia. More than a beautiful place of prayer, it is—for me and for many—a home to belong.

An invitation

Do you have an Arnold Janssen Chapel story? Do you have talent and time to help out in some way? Come and share with us over cuppa in your next visit. Mass is at 7am from Monday to Friday, and 9am on Sunday.

Interesting things and lasting friendships have come out of simple conversations. For example, this article – which hopefully you enjoyed reading – started as an idea from Fr. Sunil as he and a small circle of friends reminisced over yum cha the good old days of the SVD Chapel with hopes for better days ahead!

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: Fr Boni Buahendri SVD and Architect Joe Mangila stand in front of the 25-year-old Arnold Janssen Chapel

MIDDLE LEFT: Mass in the Chapel on Good Shepherd Sunday, April 26, 2026.

MIDDLE RIGHT: Chapel friends Yvonne and Paul Chan, Tony Lee, and Pia Tenedero catch up with Fr. Sunil and Fr. Dom after Mass in the SVD Chapel.

BOTTOM LEFT: The Arnold Janssen Chapel, Marsfield - celebrating 25 years of faith and friendship.