History
-
Mary Help of Christians Church was established in early 1921. It was originally housed temporarily in halls at different locations. The church obtained independent status as a parish in 1942. A permanent church building was completed on the present site in 1965.
The narthex was added in 1993 and is an ideal place for welcoming people to our Church Community. It is also used as a meeting place for some of the Church Groups.
There are two special areas, which offer parishioners quiet places for rest and reflection – The Blessed Sacrament Chapel and the Memorial Garden.
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel was opened in 1982. It contains the metal tabernacle that was originally used by the Presentation Sisters and earlier, the Josephite Sisters.
The chapel is used for a number of activities, such as Rosary Recitals, prayerful Meditation and contemplation. The Chapel is located to the left rear of the main church building and can be entered by following the pathway along the left side of the church.
The chapel is 8.30 am to 6 pm in winter and 8.30 am to 8 pm during daylight saving time.
Memorial Garden
Surrounded by beautiful plantings, statues and water features the layout and seating of the garden provides a tranquil place for meditation and repose.
Children from St Mary’s Primary School are also encouraged to hold learning sessions with their teachers in the Memorial Garden.The Memorial Garden was officially opened in May 2001. It was designed and developed by Gino Gammaldi. There are plaques in the Garden which name all the benefactors, past clergy, past school principals, patrons and officiating Bishops. Father Clem Cafarella was the Parish Priest at the time and was instrumental in allowing for this very special development to proceed. The garden is paved with pavers engraved with the names of departed loved ones and also with pavers of parishioners who are still very much a part of the Mary Help of Christians community.
The garden is also open to the general community. Entry to the garden is through the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
Some important dates among many:
Year
Month
Date
Event
1921
August
14
Mass celebrated for the first time in Altona, in the old Progress Hall.
1927
March
6
Archbishop Mannix blessed and opened the first St. Mary’s Church Hall.
1928
January
31
St. Mary’s Primary School opened in the Church Hall.
1936
June
Fr. Ken Morrison appointed as Altona’s first Administrator.
1942
September
5
Mary Help of Christians Parish Altona was established, with Fr. James English as Administrator.
1950
March
12
Mary Help of Christians Church/School in Railway Street was blessed and opened by Archbishop Mannix.
1952
Rev James Nooney became Altona’s first Parish Priest.
1956
New Presbytery built in Railway Street.
1957
March
The first community of Sisters of St Joseph was formed in Sargood Street.
1959
The first issue of ‘Loreto’, the parish monthly magazine, was published.
1960
St. Paul’s College was established.
1961
Fr. Gerald Dowling was appointed as Altona’s first Assistant Priest.
1964
March
4
Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College opened.
1965
February
2
St. Paul’s College opened.
1965
March
14
Mary Help of Christians Church was blessed and opened by Bishop Arthur Fox.
1970
March
St. Mary’s Ladies Auxiliary held their first meeting.
1970
May
Fr. Brendan Torr appointed as Altona’s second Parish Priest.
1972
March
20
The Altona Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was formed.
1975
November
19
The first Parish Council held its first meeting.
1975
St. Vincent de Paul Store in Railway Street opened.
1980
December
21
The Sisters of St. Joseph were withdrawn from St. Mary’s School.
1982
May
24
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel was blessed and opened by Archbishop Frank Little, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Parish.
1987
January
Fr. Clem Cafarella became Altona’s third parish Priest.
1987
The Meditation Group was formed.
1988
September
Lucy Sammut begins work as parish Secretary
1989
The Sisters of St. Joseph return to St. Mary’s School and a convent was opened in McBain Street.
1989
St. Mary’s Senior Deb Ball.
1990
March
1
Sister Clare McDermott became St. Mary’s first Pastoral Associate.
1990
Ina Archer volunteered as office assistant until 2016
1992
September
5
St. Mary’s Parish celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Archbishop Frank Little presided at the Golden Jubilee Mass on Sunday, August 23rd, 1992
1993
September
4
Narthex opened and blessed by Bishop Peter Connors.
1993
February
27
Marycare launched. (assisting parishioners in need).
1994
December
Sr. Clare McDermott completed 5 years service of the Parish as Pastoral Associate.
1995
April
The first issue of ‘St. Mary’s Connection’ Magazine was published.
1995
Sister Yvonne Hart commenced work as Pastoral Associate.
1997
February
23
First Children’s Liturgy Session.
1999
February
Gino Gammaldi appointed as Parish Manager.
2001
May
24
Memorial Garden opened and blessed.
2003 to
2006
December
Christmas Card Programme launched by Fr. Clem. Christmas Cards delivered to every home in Altona.
2008
February
Richard Hallett commenced work as Pastoral Associate.
2008
July
6
Fr. Clem Cafarella celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Ordination.
2008
New Co-educational college Notre Dame Campus opened.
2011
May
1
St. Mary’s Parish was joined in partnership with St. Leo’s parish, North Altona. Fr. Paul Tru became the parish’s fourth Parish Priest.
2011
August
Sister Yvonne Hart completed 13 years service of the parish as Pastoral Associate.
2014
October
5
Fr. Shabin Kaniampuram appointed as Administrator.
2015
September
5
Fr. Shabin installed as the parish’s fifth Parish Priest by Archbishop Denis Hart until February 2018.
2015
July
30
Maureen Fogarty commences as book-keeper
2016
September
St. Mary’s facebook page was launched.
2018
February
11
Archpriest Michael Kalka is now the sixth Parish Priest of Mary Help of Christians, Altona.