St Lukes Woodvale: 25 Years Young

25 Oct 2012

By Robert Hiini

St Luke’s Woodvale has come a long way since the first members of the parish met for their first official Mass in the staff room of Woodvale Senior Highschool, on February 28, 1987.

Last Sunday, a packed St Luke’s Church, which opened in April 1995, played host to a vibrant celebration of the St Luke church and school community.

Parish Priest Fr Francesco Mascarenhas was joined in celebrating Mass by previous parish priest Fr Trevor Simons, who retired from the parish last year due to illness.

The vision which the parish had given itself in the mid-1990s – that their church, first and foremost, was made up of the people – remained intact, Fr Mascarenhas told the congregation during the homily.

“The building is secondary,” Fr Mascarenhas said, “the people form the Church and you are, and we are, the living Church”.

“As St Paul said in the letter to the Corinthians, Christ is the foundation stone.

“We are doing the same work, continuing the same building that was laid on the rock that is Christ himself; that is what we are.”

Girls with streamers, dressed in red gowns, kicked off proceedings with a display of dance set to music provided by the parish’s choirs and music teams who combined as one for the occasion.

After Communion, a group of children from the parish gathered on the sanctuary to perform a song, led by young musicians on xylophone, flute and guitar.

Fr Mascarenhas invited all of the children onto the sanctuary for a group photo, followed by the final procession with girls once again, performing liturgical dance.

Parish foundation member, Wally Galos, was one of two people to give their recollections of the history of the parish in a celebration in the parish hall, following Mass.

He told parishioners how Sr Joan Smith had been charged with laying the groundwork for a parish in the area, taking up residence in what is now the presbytery.

She went around the neighbourhood doorknocking and distributing flyers, inviting people to Mass which was first celebrated at the parish house, followed by liturgy services and meals in people’s homes.

“Gradually, but surely, we became a family,” Mr Galos. Masses were then celebrated at Woodvale Senior High School, moving from room to room as numbers grew, eventually ending up in the gymnasium.

It was there that beloved foundation priest Fr Nicholas McSweeney suffered a heart attack on February 2, 1991, dying two days later.

He was succeeded by Fr Laurence Murphy SDS.

Masses moved to St Luke’s Catholic Primary School in 1992 and then to the parish’s first church in April 1995.

Foundation parishioner Connie Paterson, 91, said the parish was one which was vibrant and young, and situated in a great area.

The parish also cherishes its senior members, however, with a weekly friendship group, meeting on Mondays, with more than 40 members who catch up over cards and games of bowls.