St Paraskevi Community Mission
"And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’" (Matthew 25:40).
Saint Paraskevi Blacktown Community Mission, in collaboration with Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission, have been running a program which provides food and other resources for those in need - regardless of creed, culture or language - at Alpha Park, Blacktown, on a fortnightly basis, with the plan to be gathering more consistently in the future.
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
We are seeking volunteers to help prepare or serve meals; whether you can assist by providing us with resources or your time, please contact us (details below) or email [email protected].
The feeding program is on each Thursday fortnight from 5:30 p.m., at Alpha Park, Blacktown (opposite Westpoint).
For regular updates visit our Facebook page.
Contact Details
Susie 0439 664 521
Saint Paraskevi Blacktown Community Mission, in collaboration with Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission, have been running a program which provides food and other resources for those in need - regardless of creed, culture or language - at Alpha Park, Blacktown, on a fortnightly basis, with the plan to be gathering more consistently in the future.
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
We are seeking volunteers to help prepare or serve meals; whether you can assist by providing us with resources or your time, please contact us (details below) or email [email protected].
The feeding program is on each Thursday fortnight from 5:30 p.m., at Alpha Park, Blacktown (opposite Westpoint).
For regular updates visit our Facebook page.
Contact Details
Susie 0439 664 521
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Speech by Mr George Dimos on the 5 Yr Anniversary of the St Paraskevi Community Mission (10/05/2025),
Ladies and gentlemen, friends, and members of our cherished community,
It is with great gratitude and pride that I stand before you today to reflect on the journey of the St Paraskevi Community Mission—a story of compassion, cooperation, and commitment that began humbly in late 2019.
In November of that year, our parish received a letter that would plant the seed for something truly special. The Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission reached out to collaborate with our Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in Blacktown. Soon after, our first meeting was held (People present at this meeting were Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos, Asterios Zouriakis (Later Father Asterios), Panagiota Zouriakis (Later Presvitera Panagiota), Peter Kotrolos, Susie Kotrolos, Theo Theodorou from our Parish and Community and Panagioti Constanti and Father Timothy Klintsaris from the Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission), bringing together passionate individuals from both communities, united by one goal: to serve those in need.
As the world faced the arrival of COVID-19, so too did our resolve strengthen. On the 6th of May, 2020, we proudly announced the formation of the Blacktown Feeding Program, our first step toward active service. Just over a week later, on the 14th of May, we served our first meals at Alpha Park—and from that day forward, we never looked back.
With the support of Pelopidas Catering and a core group of volunteers, our fortnightly program took root. Volunteers on the first day were Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos, Panagiota Zouriakis, Panagioti Constanti, Peter Kotrolos, Susie Kotrolos, Theo Theodorou and Perry Pericleous.
Personally, I joined the group of volunteers on Thursday, 9th July 2020, after a callout for volunteers on Facebook. After seeing the operation / how it works I continued to attend each fortnight as a volunteer and apparently became an integral part of the mission.
December 2020 marked not only our final service for the first year, but also a pivotal moment for this project. At the last service, I discussed the plans for the Feeding Program in the future with Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos and we agreed to hold a meeting on Sunday afternoon, 20 December 2020, (with anyone volunteers who are interested in the planning for the Feeding program going forward (because we couldn’t continue with so many uncertainties to progress this program further. On that Sunday afternoon, Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos, Mr. George Dimos, Mrs Susie Kotrolos and Mrs. Georgia Vasiliou met and agreed to continue the work in collaboration with the Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission, but establish our own identity, structure and garner more support from the people of the Parish and Community Blacktown.
A committee was formed with Mr. George Dimos being established as the person in charge, with the assistance of both Mrs. Susie Kotrolos and Mrs. Georgia Vasilliou. At the meeting, the name ‘St Paraskevi Community Mission’ was created and it was agreed that;
On Wednesday, 27th January 2021: the newly named St Paraskevi Community Mission was officially recorded in the minutes of the Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts, thus further solidifying the legitimacy of the mission and its purpose.
And On Wednesday, 25th August 2021: I officially joined the executive committee of the Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts – Sts. Paraskevi and Barbara and (IMPORTANTLY) the St Paraskevi Community Mission officially because a standing item for committee meetings going forward.
Through 2021, despite lockdowns and uncertainty, the mission continued. As part of a collective group of charities in Blacktown, who provide a service to vulnerable people, we were able to continue with the BLACKTOWN FEEDING PROGRAM. We held BBQs in the park, fundraisers at the church to get the message out there that we were here and this is what we do. We eventually began to support needy families weekly with groceries and we witnessed what could be achieved with faith and teamwork. By the end of that year, we had served over 2,000 meals and delivered around 650 bags of groceries—each one a symbol of care.
In 2022, under the guidance of Mr. George Dimos and Mrs. Susie Kotrolos, the mission remained active and vibrant, continuing with the feeding program, grocery deliveries, participated in the St Paraskevi Annual festival with our own stall and conducted fundraisers, always with proceeds directed to our work. We were soley funded by the generous donations of parishioners, who believed in what we did. We had registered with foodbank, had our details with the council and were there whenever we were needed, providing perishable goods, clothing and other random items here and there. By the close of that year, George passed the baton, and in 2023, our mission merged with the Philoptochos, ensuring it remained strong and sustainable. Mrs. Susie Kotrolos stepped in as coordinator, and the work carried on—with groceries collected and distributed with love and respect.
In 2024, the work continued, each and every fortnight, Rain hail or shine.
And now in 2025, we look ahead. The mission, in partnership with Philoptochos, continues. Meals are now cooked regularly by voluntters / members of our parish and community, grocers are still being delivered to people in need and there is more that we can do. This journey has not just been about food or donations—it has been about presence. About showing up for one another, rain or shine. About embodying the love of Christ through action. And above all, it has been about building a community that lifts up its most vulnerable.
Volunteers come and go each and every fortnight, but it would be remiss of me to not mention both Susie Kotrolos and Peter Kotrolos for being there, since day 1. Susie worked tirelessly by my side, week in week out, helping to drive this little operation. I couldn’t have done it without her. And peter has been a support in the background. From organising food, groceries, volunteers, doing deliveries, speaking to people, they have done it all and the success of this mission is a testament to both of them. For my part, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with you to make this a success. Thank you.
Lastly, to every volunteer, every donor, and every supporter—thank you. You have helped build something meaningful, something lasting. And together, we will continue to grow, serve, and love—one meal, one family, one act of kindness at a time. Its not hard, its not time consuming, if you thinking should I get involved, come, for a small commitment (time)– join up, help out, provide ideas and let’s continue to make our community (Blacktown) a better place.
Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends, and members of our cherished community,
It is with great gratitude and pride that I stand before you today to reflect on the journey of the St Paraskevi Community Mission—a story of compassion, cooperation, and commitment that began humbly in late 2019.
In November of that year, our parish received a letter that would plant the seed for something truly special. The Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission reached out to collaborate with our Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in Blacktown. Soon after, our first meeting was held (People present at this meeting were Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos, Asterios Zouriakis (Later Father Asterios), Panagiota Zouriakis (Later Presvitera Panagiota), Peter Kotrolos, Susie Kotrolos, Theo Theodorou from our Parish and Community and Panagioti Constanti and Father Timothy Klintsaris from the Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission), bringing together passionate individuals from both communities, united by one goal: to serve those in need.
As the world faced the arrival of COVID-19, so too did our resolve strengthen. On the 6th of May, 2020, we proudly announced the formation of the Blacktown Feeding Program, our first step toward active service. Just over a week later, on the 14th of May, we served our first meals at Alpha Park—and from that day forward, we never looked back.
With the support of Pelopidas Catering and a core group of volunteers, our fortnightly program took root. Volunteers on the first day were Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos, Panagiota Zouriakis, Panagioti Constanti, Peter Kotrolos, Susie Kotrolos, Theo Theodorou and Perry Pericleous.
Personally, I joined the group of volunteers on Thursday, 9th July 2020, after a callout for volunteers on Facebook. After seeing the operation / how it works I continued to attend each fortnight as a volunteer and apparently became an integral part of the mission.
December 2020 marked not only our final service for the first year, but also a pivotal moment for this project. At the last service, I discussed the plans for the Feeding Program in the future with Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos and we agreed to hold a meeting on Sunday afternoon, 20 December 2020, (with anyone volunteers who are interested in the planning for the Feeding program going forward (because we couldn’t continue with so many uncertainties to progress this program further. On that Sunday afternoon, Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos, Mr. George Dimos, Mrs Susie Kotrolos and Mrs. Georgia Vasiliou met and agreed to continue the work in collaboration with the Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission, but establish our own identity, structure and garner more support from the people of the Parish and Community Blacktown.
A committee was formed with Mr. George Dimos being established as the person in charge, with the assistance of both Mrs. Susie Kotrolos and Mrs. Georgia Vasilliou. At the meeting, the name ‘St Paraskevi Community Mission’ was created and it was agreed that;
- A logo will need to be created (designed by Mrs. Georgia Vasiliou),
- a Bank Account separate Bank Account was needed (to ensure we are financially viable), Mr. George Dimos will organise via the executive committee,
- a Facebook page was to be created, to advertise the work of the newly formed St Paraskevi Community Mission. The Facebook page was later created on the 20/12/2020, and
- and a roster to ensure we have meals prepared each fortnight for our feeding program. Mrs. Susie Kotrolos took control of the co-ordination of volunteers and the establishment of the roster.
On Wednesday, 27th January 2021: the newly named St Paraskevi Community Mission was officially recorded in the minutes of the Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts, thus further solidifying the legitimacy of the mission and its purpose.
And On Wednesday, 25th August 2021: I officially joined the executive committee of the Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts – Sts. Paraskevi and Barbara and (IMPORTANTLY) the St Paraskevi Community Mission officially because a standing item for committee meetings going forward.
Through 2021, despite lockdowns and uncertainty, the mission continued. As part of a collective group of charities in Blacktown, who provide a service to vulnerable people, we were able to continue with the BLACKTOWN FEEDING PROGRAM. We held BBQs in the park, fundraisers at the church to get the message out there that we were here and this is what we do. We eventually began to support needy families weekly with groceries and we witnessed what could be achieved with faith and teamwork. By the end of that year, we had served over 2,000 meals and delivered around 650 bags of groceries—each one a symbol of care.
In 2022, under the guidance of Mr. George Dimos and Mrs. Susie Kotrolos, the mission remained active and vibrant, continuing with the feeding program, grocery deliveries, participated in the St Paraskevi Annual festival with our own stall and conducted fundraisers, always with proceeds directed to our work. We were soley funded by the generous donations of parishioners, who believed in what we did. We had registered with foodbank, had our details with the council and were there whenever we were needed, providing perishable goods, clothing and other random items here and there. By the close of that year, George passed the baton, and in 2023, our mission merged with the Philoptochos, ensuring it remained strong and sustainable. Mrs. Susie Kotrolos stepped in as coordinator, and the work carried on—with groceries collected and distributed with love and respect.
In 2024, the work continued, each and every fortnight, Rain hail or shine.
And now in 2025, we look ahead. The mission, in partnership with Philoptochos, continues. Meals are now cooked regularly by voluntters / members of our parish and community, grocers are still being delivered to people in need and there is more that we can do. This journey has not just been about food or donations—it has been about presence. About showing up for one another, rain or shine. About embodying the love of Christ through action. And above all, it has been about building a community that lifts up its most vulnerable.
Volunteers come and go each and every fortnight, but it would be remiss of me to not mention both Susie Kotrolos and Peter Kotrolos for being there, since day 1. Susie worked tirelessly by my side, week in week out, helping to drive this little operation. I couldn’t have done it without her. And peter has been a support in the background. From organising food, groceries, volunteers, doing deliveries, speaking to people, they have done it all and the success of this mission is a testament to both of them. For my part, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with you to make this a success. Thank you.
Lastly, to every volunteer, every donor, and every supporter—thank you. You have helped build something meaningful, something lasting. And together, we will continue to grow, serve, and love—one meal, one family, one act of kindness at a time. Its not hard, its not time consuming, if you thinking should I get involved, come, for a small commitment (time)– join up, help out, provide ideas and let’s continue to make our community (Blacktown) a better place.
Thank you.