The Diocesan Administrator of Broken Bay, Very Rev Dr David Ranson has great joy in announcing that His Holiness, Pope Francis, has bestowed the Papal Honour of Dame Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great to Mrs Margaret Frater DSG, parishioner of Lindfield-Killara. Margaret receives this new Honour for her distinguished services to the Church and the community both in her Parish and in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
In serving her home Parish, Margaret is an active and committed member and Co-Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Committee’s representative for the Holy Family Catholic School at Lindfield, where she also volunteers as a reading tutor to students. She is Treasurer and Board Member for the Woods Cottage Management Trust, a parish initiative, providing support for a group of adults with intellectual disabilities. Margaret is also a member of the Killara Development Committee and Chair of the Parish Evangelisation Committee. She assists with the co-ordination of Parish Healing Masses and is Co-ordinator of the Parish Welcome Ministry at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Killara. Margaret is a Special Minister of the Eucharist, ministering to the sick and housebound in her Parish, as well as being a regular visitor to Whitehall Aged Care Facility. She represented her Parish in the Diocesan Synod some years ago and more recently, was a Member of the Alpha Committee, which provided a course on leadership for parishioners. Margaret is assisting with Parish Forums held to consider Child protection requirements.
Her tireless work for the Church also extends to the Ecclesiastical and Civic Honours Committee, and continued involvement in the initiative Open Support established by the Sisters of Charity, where she provides court support at Sydney’s Downing Centre Court. Along with her husband Robert, she funds an annual travel scholarship made available through the Australian Catholic University, to assist teachers who display leadership and commitment to the Catholic school system, to further their experience overseas. Margaret also completed nine years of service as Chair of the Maronite Management Committee based at Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Harris Park.
“I am absolutely delighted that Margaret, has been recognised with this wonderful Honour by our Holy Father,” said Fr Ranson.
“Margaret’s abundant spirit of generosity is clearly evidenced in her readily sharing her time, talents, gifts and most especially her faith, with so many people across a broad spectrum of ministries and charitable works, both within our Diocese and in the wider Church, Margaret is a true and living ambassador for Christ, and is indeed a worthy recipient of this special Award.
“On behalf of the clergy and People of the Diocese of Broken Bay, we honour Margaret and offer our warmest congratulations to her for her unwavering and devoted service to our Diocese.”
Margaret will be presented with her Honour in a formal ceremony on Friday 26 April at Chapter Hall, St Mary’s Cathedral by His Grace, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney.