Welcome to the history page. Below is a timeline of the events in our parish.
October 1974 – Appointed Fr. Nick McSweeney as priest in charge of the Mullaloo parochial district. Fr McSweeney was appointed as Director of the Missions and Immigration in 1971. This position was to give him a worldwide perspective on the needs of Christ’s faithful and he was to be seen at a different parish each weekend throughout the Archdiocese preaching for the missions. He was to remain in this post until 1978, some four years after having been given responsibility for the new parish of Whitford.
Father McSweeney’s ambition was to build up a parish from its foundation and his prayers were answered. The parishioners found, under his leadership and guidance, a new depth and meaning to their commitment to Christ.
November 1975 – On the Feast of Christ the King, 23 November, Archbishop Goody announced his approval of the name ‘Our Lady of the Mission’ for the new parish of Whitford. Fr. McSweeney noted that the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission had a title which related principally to the Blessed Trinity – the sending forth of the Spirit from the Father and the Son.
April 1978 – Opening of the Whitford Catholic Primary School, Sr. Mary O’Connor, foundation principal.
May 1981 – Opening of the parish church. Prior to this (1974 – 1976), Sunday mass had been celebrated at the Padbury Primary School. From 1976 to 1978 mass was at the Craigie Primary School and from 1978 to 1981 at the Whitford Catholic Primary School.
4 June 1982 – Fr. McSweeney celebrated his Silver Jubilee of Priesthood. Fr Greg Donovan, the then Assistant Priest, set up a committee to arrange the Eucharistic celebration, supper and presentation which followed. Archbishop Goody presided over the Mass with Fr. McSweeney being the main celebrant
February 1985 – Opening of Padbury Catholic School, Sr. Carmel Wringe, foundation principal.
May 1986 – Fr. McSweeney celebrated his last mass as parish priest. Fr. James Foley was appointed to take charge until a permanent appointment was made.
May 1986 – Blessing of statue of Mary Child in clay (sculpted by Sr. Anjelica Ballan – a Catholic nun in Rome).
15 February 1987 – Fr Timothy Corcoran was welcomed as the second Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Mission. Father Corcoran arrived in Australia on 11 December 1967, having been Ordained Priest on 11 June the same year at St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, Ireland.
21 March 1987 – Bishop Healy inducted Father Timothy Corcoran as Parish Priest at the Saturday Vigil Mass.
September 1987 – Installation in sanctuary of crucifix (Construction by Roleystone artist Gerry Darwin).
November 1987 – Acquisition of baptismal font, made by Joe Berry of Wembley.
June 1988 – Stations of cross erected (also by Gerry Darwin).
3 August 1988 – a Vigil Mass was held to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Whitford Catholic School. The Mass was concelebrated by Fathers Tim Corcoran, Nick McSweeney and John Dwyer.
June 1992 – the Parish joined with Father Tim to celebrate his Silver Jubilee of Ordination to the Priesthood. The actual jubilee fell on Thursday 11 June 1992. The main Parish celebration was held on Sunday 14 June at 11:30am. Archbishop Hickey presided at the Mass. Fr Tim was the main celebrant and was assisted by Bishop Healy and his brother, Fr Jim Corcoran. Twelve other priests, including Whitford’s Assistant Priest, Fr Brian Limbourn, concelebrated. The homily was given by Mons. Michael Keating.
October 1992 – Blessing of new grotto to Our Lady.
December 1995 – Completion of extensions and alterations to church.
January 1996 – Blessing of five stained glass windows to church which were produced by Ken Wildy depicting the five joyful mysteries.
October 1999 – Celebration of parish Silver Jubilee.
October 2000 – Jubilee year parish mission.
December 2000 – Parish Centre, official opening & blessing by Archbishop Hickey.
April 2001 – Parish Centre open day.
November 2001 – Blessing of the mosaic tile on courtyard wall of Parish Centre.
December 2001 – 20th Anniversary of Legion of Mary in parish.
December 2001 – Completion of new two sided tabernacle by artisan Chris Fryters, based on the image of God’s presence in the ‘pillar of fire’ in the Old Testament (Exodus 13:21-22).
December 2002 – Fr. Benedict Lee ordained and appointed to remain in parish as Assistant Priest.
January 2003 – Fr. Joseph Tran appointed to parish as assistant priest.
May 2003 – Fr. Geoff Aldous appointed parish priest at Kellerberrin and Fr. Joseph Tran appointed priest in charge at O.L.M.
June 2003 – New computer projector for church.
March 2005 – Fr. Joseph Tran appointed parish priest for 6 years.
May 2005 – Corpus Christi – a new stainless steel cross by Jean Pierre Peroomal was installed on roof of church – a replica of the cross Pope John Paul II had installed on the church he built in his home town.
June 2005 – New sound system installed in church.
June 2005 – Commencement of Sunday evening mass making a total of five, including Saturday Vigil.
April 2006 – New church projector – purchase assisted by generous donations by parish families.
May 2006 – Installation of two new RC air conditioners in Parish Centre.
June/July 2006 – Bishop Don Sproxton’s three day visit to parish.
December 2006 – Inaugural Christmas lighting of trees around church with world peace theme.
Numbers counted at six Christmas services as part of archdiocesan census were 8,210 plus weekend masses making in excess 9000. Nb. Information from Perth Pastoral Data Project on census 2006 ranked O.L.M. Number 4 in 2006 with 9552 Catholic persons.
January 2008 – Fr. Benedict Lee appointed Parish Priest of St Aloysius, Shenton Park following five years as assistant at O.L.M.
May 2008 – World Youth Day – Cross & Icon came to O.L.M. on its way to Sydney WYD.
October 2008 – 30th anniversary of Whitford Catholic Primary School.
November 2008 – Permanent information desk set up church with information on all ministries operating in the parish and offering an introductory package to new parishioners.
December 2008 – “Getting to know you” program was launched.
January 2009 – “Catholics Returning Home” sessions for Catholics (non-practicing) seeking answers to questions about returning to the church.
February 2009 – Lenten Mini-Mission.
March 2009 – Inaugural meeting of the Lighthouse Club.
April 2009 – Meditation Group starts.
April 2009 – Church painted and fitted with Air Conditioning.
May 2009 – Farewell to Fr. Bosco – appointed Parish Priest in country town of South India.
June 2009 – Fr. Patrick Pudhota appointed Assistant Priest.
August 2009 – Parish Library commences.
October 2009 – Fr. Erasmus appointed as Chaplain to the Joondalup City Chapel.
October 2009 – Catholics Returning Home – new group started.
January 2010 – New projector installed in church.
February 2010 – Fr. C. Arulraj Malaguri, chaplain of Mater Dei College, moved into presbytery.
March 2010 – Fr. Justin Belitz gave a refresher course on his meditation methods.
April 2010 – Fr. Patrick Pudhota returned to India.
June 2010 – Chief Dan Daly of the New York Fire Department gave an entertaining talk to the youth.
July 2010 – Family Recollection Night.
July 2010 – Fr C. Arulray Mulaguri, who had been helping in the parish, left to be Parish Priest at East Victoria Park Parish.
July 2010 – A relic of Padre Pio was in the Parish.
August 2010 – Fr. Dominic Savio joined the parish as Assistant Priest.
October 2010 – Mary McKillop Festival – celebrate Australia’s first canonized saint.
December 2010 – Four new acolytes were welcomed into the ministry.
December 2010 – Mike Egan was invested as a Knight of the order of the Holy Sepulchre.
February 2011 – Chalice Restoration – the parishes 15 chalices were restored.
February 2011 – Peter and Cath Smith are new co-ordinators of Project Compassion.
March 2011 – Fr Joe Pereira presented a Mini-Mission over three consecutive nights.
April 2011 – Padbury Catholic Primary School – 25th Anniversary.
August 2011 – Thomas Zureich was ordained to priesthood at St Mary’s Cathedral and celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of the Mission Church.
September 2011 – Visiting Ministry of Prayer for the Seriously Sick and Dying – inaugurated.
November 2011 – Joondalup @ Prayer – combined churches of Joondalup.
January 2012 – Fr. Dominic Savio left the parish to become Parish Priest at Northam.
February 2012 – Fr. Bonaventure Echeta joined the parish as Assistant Priest.
February 2012 – Baptisms were held at 2:00p.m. as well as after 11:00am Mass.
March 2012 – Columbarium – group formed to explore possibility of constructing a Columbarium.
April 2012 – Visit from Our Lady of the Mission nuns from the mission in Vietnam.
June 2012 – Anniversary of Fr. Bonaventure Echeta’s ordination.
June 2012 – A new piano was bought.
July 2012 – Bishop Spoxton visited the parish.
October 2012 – Year of Grace explained and celebrated. Sr. Carmel Wringe celebrated her Golden Jubilee
March 2013 – Seniors and friends travelled to Bunbury to visit the new Cathedral.
July 2013 – Soup for the Soul – a seven week exploration of Faith – began.
August 2013 – Vatican II – 50 years.
February 2014 – Men Alive – first meeting held.
March 2014 – Vincent’s project of the homeless was started.
April 2014 – Fr. Bonaventure left the parish to take up the position of Parish Priest at Ellenbrook.
July 2014 – Fr. Renald was welcomed to the parish.
October 2014 – 40th anniversary of the founding of the parish.
November 2014 – The first site works for the Parish Columbarium began.
November 2014 – Whitford Youth hosted an inter-parish Soccer and Netball tournament.
May 2015 – Fr John Paul joined our parish priests and lived and served in the parish for six weeks while he became accustomed to life in Australia. He then took over from Fr. Erasmus as Chaplain at the Chapel in Joondalup, Joondalup Hospital and Edith Cowan University.
June 2015 – Fr. Erasmus returned to Ghana taking with him the best wishes from the parish.
September 2015 – Fr. Mark Baumgarten joined the parish team to support Fr. Joe and Fr. Renald.
October 2015 – Wedding Anniversary Mass for all couples celebrating 10th, 20th, 25th etc anniversary. Parish A.G.M.
November 2015 – Columbarium opened on November 1st by the auxiliary Bishop of Perth, the Most Reverend Donald Sproxton.
December 2015 – Whitford Youth hosted an inter-parish Soccer and Netball tournament.
January 2016: Christmas Lights Cruise: A group of parishioners travelled by bus to Mandurah for a boat cruise to see the lights on the houses on the canals.
A Bush Dance was on held on the 25th January to raise funds for the young people attending the World Youth Day in Poland.
February 2016: Lunar New Year was celebrated as part of recognising the rich cultural make-up of the parish.
Ministry Fair was held to help parishioners find out about the various ministries in the parish. Many parishioners joined or sought more information about the groups.
March 2016: our church was open for 24 hour adoration on the 4th and 5th March.
Care for Mother Earth is a new group in the parish responding to the call from Pope Francis to look after the earth.
June 2016: a small group of parishioners travelled to York for a Mass and a picnic.
July 2016: A commissioning Mass was held to farewell those attending the World Youth day in Poland.
September 2016: A special Mass and other activities were held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Padbury Catholic Primary School.
Fr. Erasmus, who was with our parish for some time, sent news that his Rural Teachers’ Training project in Ghana is now a reality thanks in great part to the generous support from the parish.
November 2016: Fundraising was held throughout the month to assist the parish of Lombadina/Beagle Bay Mission with funds to enhance their celebration of Christmas.
December 2016: Parishioner Konrad Gagatek was ordained to the Diaconate.
January 2017: Fr. Mark Baumgarten said goodbye to the parish to take up his new appointment at North Beach parish.
A facebook page called “Whitford Catholic Photos” was created.
February 2017: Fr.Renald Anthony said goodbye to the parish to take up his new appointment at Kalgoorlie-Boulder parish.
March 2017: Fr. Truc Nguyen was welcomed as assistant priest into the parish.
May 2017: Many parishioners joined in The Biggest Morning Tea fund raising event for cancer research.
July 2017: Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross spoke at all Masses about their 500 strong community in Vietnam and about the problems they are facing.
August 2017: A curry lunch was organised to raise funds for those attending the Australian Catholic Youth festival.
October 2017: WYFI Youth Group had its first event of faith, fun, food and friends for students in years 7-12.
JAM (Jesus and Me) had its first event for primary school students.
November 2017: Deacon Konrad Gagatek from our parish was ordained as a priest at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
December 2017: Despite the difficulties caused by the road/earth works around the school oval, large crowds attended all the Christmas Masses.
February 2018 Farewell to Fr. Joseph Tran. After 15 years of service, Fr. Joe left the parish for a new appointment in Armadale parish. A thanksgiving Mass on Saturday 10th February was preceded by a family celebration starting at 3pm.
Installation Mass for Fr. Cyprian Shikokoti: Bishop Sproxton visited the parish for the Mass to install our new parish priest.
April 2018: Scripture Studies an eight-week course on Mary, A Biblical Walk with Our Blessed Mother.
Sister Mary Berry’s book, Reflections, was launched.
June 2018: Donna Moxey ended her role as Parish Pastoral Worker and Sacramental Coordinator. We thank Donna for her enormous contribution to Parish life.
July 2018: After so many delays the new parking arrangements around the church, the office and the school were completed.
Mrs Patricia Starkie was welcomed as parish Sacramental Coordinator.
August 2018: Our parish supported the new parish in Banksia Grove by buying delicious food prepared by Fr. Vinh Dong and the Dominican nuns.
The international Centennial Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima visited the parish.
October 2018: Parish dance held at Padbury Catholic Primary School
February 2019: Lunar New Year was celebrated with dinner in the parish hall on the Friday evening and morning tea after the Sunday morning Masses.
March 2019: Archbishop Costelloe attended all masses on the weekend of the 23/24 March to support the parish priests and parishioners mourning the tragic death of Fr. Joseph Tran, a long-serving former parish priest.
June 2019: A number of parishioners enjoyed a parish outing to the Schoenstatt Shrine at Mt. Richton.
December: Fr. Konrad Gagatek celebrated Mass in our parish.
January – June 2021
Parish Priest: Fr Cyprian M. Shikokoti.
Assistant Priest: Fr Francis Quoc Tran.
Parish Council Chairperson: Lisa Mooney.
Glory Be Café: Because of intermittent restriction due to COVID-19 the café was unable to open.
WYFI: The parish youth group for students from Year 6 to Year 12 started again on Friday 29th January and is held on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of the month.
Come Alive in Scripture: This bible study group began for the year on February 2nd with a study of the Book of Wisdom.
Mass Numbers Reduced: Due to yet another lockdown, numbers at masses were reduced to 150 for two weeks in early February. There was the unusual sight of all massgoers wearing masks.
First Class Relic of St Maria Goretti: Pat Frazer generously donated this relic to the parish. It was placed in a reliquary by the statue of Our Lady and parishioners were able to borrow it when required.
World Day of Prayer: Parishioners joined an ecumenical service and morning tea on 5th March at our church.
Fr Cyprian’s 10th Sacerdotal Anniversary: This event was celebrated with a thanksgiving Mass at 11am on Sunday 7th March, followed by a Parish lunch on the school oval.
Wednesday Morning Play Group: began again in Early March.
Adoration Space: The side chapel of the church was converted to a semi-enclosed adoration space and opened with Mass on Friday 19th March. As well as for adoration, the space will be used for morning Masses during the week.
Fr Richard Smith’s 18th Anniversary: The parish celebrated this anniversary at Mass on Sunday 21st March,
Seniors Family Group Luncheon: The first of these monthly social events for the year was held on Friday 26th March.
Parish Craft Group: This group began again for the year meeting on every 2nd Wednesday from 9am to noon.
Discovering Catholic Values: Joe Tedesco presented this course for parishioners for four weeks beginning on 21st April.
Easter Celebrations: There was a great deal of joy and large attendances at all services this year after last year’s celebrations had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.
Overseas Mission Group: A plant sale was held after Masses on 15th and 16th May to support the work of this group.
Adult Faith Formation: This course, sponsored by the archdiocese, was held on the Wednesday evenings of May.
Appeal for India: Parishioners very generously contributed to this special retiring collection on 8th and 9th May to aid those seriously affected by the pandemic in this country almost overwhelmed by illness.
Confirmation: Confirmations were celebrated for the children of the parish on 22nd/23rd May, 29th/30th May and 6th June.
Biggest Morning Tea: Parish bakers again contributed their wonderful home-cooked goods to make a great success of this event ($869 raised) held to support the Cancer Council of WA on Sunday 13th June.
Vinnie’s Winter Appeal: Parishioners again contributed generously to this appeal on 19th/20th June to support those in need amongst us.
OLM Seniors’ Group: This group commenced meeting on every second Wednesday afternoon from 30th June. A great opportunity for members of the parish to meet for a cuppa and a chat.
Pastoral Visits: After a long break due to pandemic restrictions our priests were at last able to re-commence this mission to frail and ill parishioners at the end of June.
24:7 Whitford Youth Group: With its change of name, the group of students from Year 6 to Year 12 continued to meet on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of every month.