One Parish, Two Churches
2025

As the Church enters this time of Easter filled with the light and hope of the world, it is with deep sadness that we have received the news of the death of His Holiness, Pope Francis.

We unite with all the People of God in praying for the eternal rest of his soul and entrust him to the tender loving mercy of the Father.

Pope Francis, who came from the peripheries of the world, has been the father of the poor, and a witness of joy and hope. May the Lord, he so faithfully trusted, now welcome him into eternal life.

May he rest in God’s gracious and gentle peace.

Mary, Our Blessed Mother of God, pray for him.
St Francis of Assisi, pray for him.
All Holy Men and Women, Saints of God, pray for him.

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli
Archbishop of Melbourne

Statement on the death of His Holiness, Pope… | Melbourne Catholic

Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

As we celebrate the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we welcome you to this blessed Easter season and the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 at St Luke’s and St Timothy’s. In this sacred time, we are reminded that through the Risen Christ, hope is alive, and we are never alone. His triumph over death is our promise of new life, purpose, and community. Whether you are a regular here, new or returning, you are welcome.

Here, there’s something for everyone—young and old, seekers of truth, those who want to go deeper into their faith or those simply looking to connect. You can connect with God and with each other in our regular worship services, have a cuppa, join us in our regular bible study sessions. There is Young Adults as well as Youth group. For social action and services, you can get involved in the St Vincent de Paul Society as well as being volunteers in various Church ministries. Let us experience the life-giving power of the Risen Christ within a safe space where we can grow, ask questions, and experience God’s love together.

Join us as we walk in the light of the Resurrection, building a community rooted in Faith, Hope, Love, and belonging. Let us dive in the Joy of Easter, the Joy of the Risen Christ, get connected, share conversations, and perhaps experience forgiveness, restoration, healing, transformation and renewal for our hearts and our Church.

Come and See. Come and Belong. Come and Rise.

‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”- John 11:25-26

Father Alex Chow, Parish Priest of St Luke’s and St Timothy’s, 20 April 2025

Upcoming Events

• Daily Prayer

Journeying together in daily life ...

April 2025

What are the Pope's Intentions for the Month of April?

For the use of the new technologies:

Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

So we continue ‘Journeying Together In Daily Life - From Structures To Relationships - From Delegation To Involvement’. It is therefore necessary to reawaken in every local reality the awareness that we are the people of God, responsible for incarnating the Gospel in our different contexts and in all daily situations. This involves stepping outside the logic of delegation, which so greatly conditions pastoral action.

Saint Timothy's Catholic Parish acknowledges the Wurundjeri People as the traditional owners of this land.

We also acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to this country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.

Contemporary Catholic Faith Information

Catholic Enquiry Centre

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne provides ongoing life and works of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Catholic Australia a site dedicated to all things Catholic in the Australian context.

Today’s Prayer a site for daily prayer and spirituality.

Daily Prayers and Reflections for daily intentions and reflections.

Universal Church Organisations

Vatican News news about the Vatican, news about the Church.

Catholic Online on line site for compiled catholic information.

St Timothy’s encourages family participation in sacramental preparation and celebration.

Please contact the Parish early in your planning to discuss your request.

Baptisms

Are held the first Sunday of every month (except January) during the 9.00 a.m. Mass. In addition to the Baptism itself, the program comprises:

• A mutually agreeable time is arranged with Mary Italiano, a volunteer Parishioner, who guides the preparation necessary for the Sacrament and accompanies you through the whole process.
• The Sacrament of Baptism then occurs during the 9.00am Sunday morning Mass.
  

Please ring the Parish office on (03) 9412 8499 at least 6 weeks prior to your preferred date to ensure enough time for preparation.

Marriage

Weddings are arranged in consultation with the Parish Priest. For enquiries, please ring (03) 9412 8499.

If you wish to learn more about the Sacrament of Marriage, you may also visit:

Some history about St Timothy’s

1960 January approximately 5 acres of land in Stevens Road was purchased by Fr. Coghlan, the Parish Priest of Mitcham.

1962 an old portable timber building was transported from St. John’s Mitcham via Woodcrest Road. In those days the road was unmade and the truck was bogged for a week.

1962 the first Mass celebrated in the Church was Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. There was no electricity so candles and torches were used.

1964 Extra rooms were added to the White Weatherboard and the Primary School commenced with Lay Staff and approximately 60 children. The building had to be converted from school rooms to Mass centre and back again each weekend.

1967 April the red brick school was opened by Bishop Fox with classes extended through to Grade 6. Principal Mrs. Lorna Khone.

1968 January St. Timothy’s was officially formed as a separate Parish with Fr. Tom Brophy as our first Parish Priest. There was an open air mass in the school quadrangle.

1969 January Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus led by Sr. Henry (Sr. Elizabeth Golden). These Irish nuns arrived from Malaysia where they had been working.

Initially two sisters were teaching at St.Timothy’s. In May the Convent was completed and five Nuns moved in. The convent is now our current Presbytery.

1973 two new classrooms were opened. This was the original grey besser brick building, which was later extended into our Parish Hall. School enrolment was 300 with 9 teachers.

1974 March the first Pastoral Council was installed by Bishop Perkins. The existing Church building was commenced in April.

1975 August the Parish Mass Centre was opened by Archbishop Little. We had a dividing ’tilt-a-door’ wall creating a quiet chapel area and larger function centre.

1980 January Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus leave the Parish (as they were intended to work for the poor – some went to Beagle Bay in Western Australia). Mrs. Shirley Mutimer was appointed School Principal.

1982 Fr. Brophy leaves and Fr. Tom Jones from Ascot Vale was appointed.

During the 1980’s we had our largest enrolment of 365 children split into 11 classes, using portable classrooms. We upgraded our communication with parents from Fordigraph ‘purple’ ink machine, to a gestetner ink machine (which is when we had our parish magazine “The Satelite” ) to joy of joys – a photocopier!

1985 Mrs. Pam Storey was appointed Principal of St.Timothy’s. In March, the new ‘Library wing’ was commenced. On October 2nd Fr. Tom Jones died on route to Rome at Athens Airport.

1986 January Fr. Bill Fox appointed Parish Priest. The Library wing was officially opened 11th Sept. 1986 by Archbishop Little.

1987 August the Shool’s administration area was upgraded. Portable buildings were used for the Staff room and offices.

1988 March upgrade was completed. The Parish also celebrated Fr. Fox’s 25th Jubilee at St. John’s Parish Hall.

1991 our own Parish Hall was completed and the Parish led by Laraine Rasmussen performed a “Tribute to Broadway” to christen our new hall. Val Carter was acting Principal at this time.

1992 Stephanie Eynon was appointed Principal of St. Timothy’s School.

1993 February (19th., 20th. and 21st.), St. Timothy’s celebrated their 25th Jubilee weekend.

1994 Fr. Bill resigned and Fr. Joe Hynan was appointed Parish Priest.

1996 Modifications to the Church including new foyer were completed.

1998 Stephanie Eynon was appointed to St. Luke’s Wantirna, Bernadette Potter was St. Timothy’s Principal until resigning in April, when Mr. John Faulkner became our new School Principal.

2000 August a special 25th anniversary celebration of our Church occurred.

2002 Fr. Joe left and Fr. Rod Pitts was appointed as Parish Administrator. The Cathedral required us to have many meetings with Holy Saviour Parish as to the possibility of an amalgamation.

2006 Room 1 of the school building was renovated into 3 small offices plus a conference room and opened by Mr. Chris Pearce M.P.

2007 the Church sanctuary remodelled including new altar and lectern.

2008 the Parish had it’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations. At this point in time we have had 2,450 enrolments through St.Timothy’s Primary School.

2012 January Anne Maree Jones was appointed Principal of St. Timothy’s School. (Click this link)

2013 Vietnamese Community was established. (Click this link)

2017 November Fr Rod officially retires.

2018 Fr Tony Kerin EV, already Parish Priest of Saint Francis Xavier Box Hill, was appointed Parish Administrator/Parish Priest.

2021 August 11 Fr Gerard - already Parish Priest of Saint Luke the Evangelist Blackburn South, was appointed our next Parish Priest - for Fr Tony to become the next Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Region of the Archdiocese.

2023 August (25th, 26th & 27th), Archbishop's Pastoral Visit to the Parishes of St Timothy's and St Luke the Evangelist Blackburn South.

Some information about our patron, St Timothy

Born at Lystra, Lycaenia, Timothy was the son of a Greek father and Eunice, a converted Jewess. He joined St. Paul when Paul preached at Lystra replacing Barnabas, and became Paul’s close friend and confidant. Paul allowed him to be circumcised to placate the Jews, since he was the son of a Jewess, and he then accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey. When Paul was forced to flee Berea because of the enmity of the Jews there, Timothy remained, but after a time was sent to Thessalonica to report on the condition of the Christians there and to encourage them under persecution, a report that led to Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians when he joined Timothy at Corinth. Timothy and Erastus were sent to Macedonia in 58, went to Corinth to remind the Corinthians of Paul’s teaching, and then accompanied Paul into Macedonia and Achaia. Timothy was probably with Paul when the Apostle was imprisoned at Caesarea and then Rome, and was himself imprisoned but then freed. According to tradition, he went to Ephesus, became its first bishop, and was stoned to death there when he opposed the pagan festival of Katagogian in honor of Diana. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, one written about 65 from Macedonia and the second from Rome while he was in prison awaiting execution. His feast day is January 26.

Saint Timothy’s Final resting place … Termoli Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Termoli, in the province of Campobasso, central Italy. The dedication is to the Purification of the Virgin Mary, but is commonly ascribed to Saints Bassus and Timothy, patrons of the city. It is the seat of the Bishop of Termoli-Larino.

• St. Timothy and his Church
• Saints in Rome & Beyond!: St Timothy
• The Catholic Travel Guide
• Wikipedia
• and our Australian Catholic Bishop's Conference 2021 Parish Social Profile

This really is the ‘go to’ statement for the ‘how to’ of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. You are the ones invited to ‘bring it to life’.

• • 19 October 2022 - Letter from the Victorian Bishops CECV Review Response and Directives
  • Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools: A Message from the Board Chair
  • Addendum 1. MELBOURNE ARCHDIOCESE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS is please to share
    with you a copy of the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)
    inaugural strategic plan, MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World.
  • Addendum 2. The Statement of Mission will guide all of MACS work into the years ahead
  • Addendum 3. Charter for Parishes and Schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne ~
    Working Together in Mission.

St Timothy 2023 Learning Showcase
please click this link, watch and be in awe!

So many reasons – not enough time!

The St Timothy’s Difference

• Emmaus College
  Vermont South
• Our Lady of Sion
  Box Hill
• Whitefriars Catholic College for Boys
  Donvale
• Avila College for Girls ~ a Catholic School in the Dominican Tradition for Young Women
  Mount Waverley
• Siena College ~ a leading Catholic secondary school for girls
  Camberwell

Parish Office: 03 9412 8499

Staffed Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10.00am - 2.00pm

for St Timothy’s Catholic Parish Forest Hill &
St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Parish Blackburn South

17 Stevens Road Vermont Vic 3133

Church Address for St Timothy's Forest Hill
17 Stevens Road, Vermont Vic 3133
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

[P.O. Box 2140 Blackburn South Vic 3130]

Sonya O'Farrell as Parish Secretary is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays in the Parish Office from 10.00am to 2:00pm

Our Parish Team

Please complete the contact form below:

Parish Caring Services

pdf St. Vincent de Paul Society/Local Conference (634 KB)
Tony Lobo & Steve Kilroe-Smith: Co-Presidents
Margaret Gearon: Vice President
03 9877 2292

Care Group
Please contact the Parish Office
03 9877 2292

Church Grounds Care and Maintenance

Parish Maintenance Team
Darren McLean
03 9877 2292

Parish Facilities for Hire

Parish Hall Hire
Sonya O'Farrell
03 9877 2292

Fundraising Activities

Parish Thanksgiving/Stewardship
Sonya O'Farrell: Parish Secretary

If you would like to support the Parish via Direct Debit, Credit Card or Electronic Funds Transfer rather than via Envelopes please contact Sonya O'Farrell (03 9877 2292) at the Parish Office.

Parish Ministries

Please Sign Up and get involved ... you'll be glad you did and so will we, for volunteering shapes the soul of every community and
your soul too. 

Lectors, Welcomers, Collectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist & Rosters
Margaret Gearon
03 9877 2292

Children's Liturgy Group
T.B.A.
03 9877 2292

Stewardship Counters
Dale Dixon & Steve Kilroe-Smith
03 9877 2292

Parish Pastoral Council
Sonya O'Farrell: Secretary
03 9877 2292

Parish Safeguarding Committee
Darren McLean & Jeanette Clark
03 9877 2292

Parish History
Margaret Gearon
03 9877 2292

Finance Committee & Parish Accountant
Bernard Negline
03 9877 2292

Church Sacristan
Greg Grant
03 9877 2292

Church Linen
Beryl Kanagalinggam
03 9877 2292

Church Cleaning & Flowers
Megan McLean
03 9877 2292

Holy Communion to the Housebound
Rev Fr Alex Chow
03 9877 2292

Emmaus College Education Board Parish Reps
Bernard O'Malley
03 9877 2292

Parish & School Choirs
Lina Mafi & Marg Yore
03 9877 2292

Parish & School Fete Committee
Mrs Clare Ryan
03 9877 4023

School Advisory Council
Mrs Clare Ryan
03 9877 4023

School Parents' Association
Mrs Clare Ryan
03 9877 4023

Social Activities

Parish Patronal Feast & Parish/School Celebration
The Parish of Saint Luke the Evangelist Annual Feast Day celebration for 2024 Sunday 20 October
To become a member of the organising team, please let us know at the Parish Office: 03 9877 2292
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Remember volunteers are unpaid.....not because they are worthless
but because they are priceless!!

Anointing of the Sick is a source of healing for the sick rather than the final act of the church for the dying.

The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Church for those whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. It is a source of healing for the sick rather than the final act of the church for the dying.

The Sacrament enables the sick or aged person to be anointed with the oil of the sick, to experience the healing and strength of Jesus Christ and to be supported by a praying community.

Celebration of Anointing of the Sick

The sacrament may be celebrated during Mass, or at a hospital or nursing home, or in the person’s home. It is a celebration of the church where members of the church offer those who are sick the support of faith and prayer.

Who celebrates it?

The sacrament is celebrated with the sick, with old people, and with sick children if they have sufficient understanding. The sacrament is not administered to anyone who has already died. Prayers for the Dead are prayed for the deceased.

When do we celebrate it?

The sick and their families and friends are encouraged to notify a priest and ask for the sacrament at the onset of serious illness. Parish communities offer opportunities for the Anointing of the Sick several times during the year. Such gatherings allow the sick or elderly to experience the support of the community.

Contacts

The local parish priest or a member of the pastoral team should be contacted to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick.

Vatican reaffirms, clarifies church teachings on end-of-life care

pdf The Healing Power of the Sacrament (137 KB)

pdf Suffering releases Love (217 KB)

At a Catholic funeral the community gathers to say farewell to the person who has died and entrust that person to God’s loving care.

When a Christian dies, the community gathers for a funeral. They say farewell to the person who has died and entrust that person to God’s loving care. They praise and thank God for the gift of a life which has been returned to its Creator. They remember with joy and pain what that person has meant to them.

Catholic Funeral rites are:

• Vigil for the Deceased – The Vigil may be quite informal, where the family and friends of the deceased person pray in the presence of the body in the home, in the Chapel of the Funeral Directors, or in the parish Church on the night before the Funeral Liturgy. The Vigil would include prayers and readings and an opportunity for a relative or friend of the deceased person to give some "words of remembrance" of the one who has died. The Vigil may be celebrated on the night before the funeral liturgy.
• Funeral Liturgy – The Funeral Liturgy is the central liturgical celebration. It is usually celebrated in the church, and may be a Mass with the final commendation, or a Liturgy of the Word followed by prayers and a final commendation. The funeral liturgy is held whenever is appropriate for family and friends to gather.
• The Rite of Committal – This is the final act of care for the deceased person. It may be held at the cemetery or in the Crematorium Chapel. This Rite may also be used for burial at sea. The rite of committal (burial or cremation) usually follows the funeral liturgy.

Resources for Preparing a Catholic Funeral

A workbook called The Funeral is available to help people prepare the funeral liturgy of a loved one or for someone to indicate their wishes regarding their own funeral.

Parish Columbarium: Images

The Columbarium provides a sacred space in which the cremated remains of loved ones are placed. It is intended to locate ours on the outside of the south end wall of St Luke the Evangelist Church; it is a tranquil setting, that will have a garden seat, which will enable families and friends to pray, reflect and remember their loved ones.

The Columbarium will be available to parishioners, their families and those who have long-established ties with the Blackburn South Catholic Parish. A suitable engraved bronze plaque for each niche, consistent with the ones currently on the Memorial Wall, will be arranged through the Parish Office and financed by the family.

Please contact the Parish Office for further information.

pdf Everbody has a Story to be told - Farewell in death (101 KB)

default Final resting place: Vatican releases instruction on burial, cremation

default Vatican releases instruction on burial, cremation - Final resting place

Confirmation is about renewing one’s baptismal promises.

Most Catholics aged over 30 would have been confirmed at around the age of 12 or 13, well after their first communion. Some people may believe that this is “how it was always done” and wonder why the familiar pattern has recently changed.

In the early church, initiation consisted of immersion in water, laying on of hands and anointing with chrism by the bishop, and finally joining the community for the first time at the Lord’s table, all of which happened at the one ceremony.

For historical reasons, Confirmation became separated from Baptism but the order of the sacraments of initiation remained the same – Baptism, then Confirmation, then finally Communion (or Eucharist). Confirmation was always about renewing one’s baptismal promises before receiving communion for the first time.

In the early 1900s Pope Pius X lowered the age for first communion from around 12, as it was then, to the “age of reason”, around 7 years of age. But Confirmation got left where it was, so the order of sacraments of initiation got switched around. It is interesting to think that the Baptism/First Communion/Confirmation pattern, which is so familiar to many, was actually an accident of history!

Because it was no longer the sacrament which linked Baptism and First Communion, Confirmation gradually took on new meanings, including the ‘sacrament of adulthood’, becoming ‘a soldier of Christ’, and even signing the pledge (a promise not to drink alcohol until a certain age, or even for life!).

The new Rite of Confirmation issued in 1971 put confirmation back where it belongs, as the link between Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation is the sacrament which ‘seals’ or ‘reaffirms’ our baptism before we take the final step in becoming a full member of the Catholic Church – sharing in Holy Communion for the first time.

In recent years many dioceses in Australia and other parts of the world have responded to the Church’s call to restore confirmation to its proper place and meaning.

Parishes are responsible for preparing their younger members to complete their initiation through Communion and Confirmation.

For further information about preparation for these sacraments please contact the Parish Office.

pdf Confirmation Inquiry Form (539 KB)

pdf 10 Ways to Celebrate your Child's Confirmation (127 KB)

pdf Symbols of Confirmation (119 KB)

pdf Parents Fostering their Child's Vocation (127 KB)

pdf Called by the Spirit (216 KB)

pdf Called, Gifted, Sent ... (194 KB)