Parish marks a big milestone

THE St Joseph’s Parish of Meredith marks its 150th anniversary this year and celebrations are well under way.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne’s western-most parish officially marked the milestone with a Mass at the Meredith church on Sunday 16 March, led by Archbishop Peter Comensoli.

Parish pastoral worker Mary Foster said about 200 people attended the Mass, which was followed by a social gathering at the nearby Meredith Memorial Hall.

“We had a beautiful celebration,” Mrs Foster said, adding that former priests of parish churches were among the attendees.

The Mass at Meredith was preceded by a trivia and barbecue event in January, with year-long celebrations getting into full swing starting with the 16 March Holy Eucharist.

They continue tonight with a bush dance at the St Mary MacKillop Primary School Oval in Bannockburn, from 5pm to 7.30pm and featuring the Bushwahzee Band.

A ‘Little Olympics’ event is scheduled for Sunday 18 May in Inverleigh and a retreat at the Santa Casa facility in Queenscliff on the weekend of 29 and 30 August.

A fellowship Mass and lunch is on the calendar for Sunday 14 September in Anakie, and a concluding Mass will take place in Bannockburn on Sunday 23 November.

Parish administrator Father Joseph Panackal is overseeing the celebrations, all of which are based around the five parish churches at Meredith (St Joseph’s), Inverleigh (Sacred Heart), Winchelsea (St John the Baptist), Bannockburn (St Mary MacKillop) and Anakie (St Brigid’s).

The parish covers Lal Lal, Elaine, Anakie, Meredith, Maude, Lethbridge, Bannockburn, Batesford, Inverleigh, Teesdale, Shelford, Winchelsea and surrounds.

Father Joseph was originally meant to be in the post temporarily but has made the community his home since he arrived in 2021.

He describes the parish as welcoming, supportive and close-knit.

“It’s different from other parishes I have been in,” he said. “People are more connected, and have honest conversations.

“People love to talk, and the community likes to do things together.”

Mrs Foster, meanwhile, who helps out in the Meredith office, said the milestone of 150 years is an outstanding achievement.

“It’s a wonderful testament to the parishioners, not just now but before us,” she said.

Mrs Foster said the Bannockburn area is the fastest growing part of the parish, probably because of the town’s growth in the number of young families – evidenced by the fact that Father Panackal performed 90 baptisms last year.

She acknowledged a general worldwide downward trend in worshippers, but stressed the parish is still “vibrant.”

“There’s always hope that people will come back to their faith,” Mrs Foster said.

“We’re always open to welcoming new people; we want to be a big part of the community too.”