The picturesque Holy Trinity Church on Rottnest Island has last month celebrated its Golden Jubilee on Sunday 15 June, marking 50 years of faithful service, fellowship, and spiritual refuge for generations of worshippers – particularly those on holidays.
Some 60 people – including locals and visitors from Perth who travelled via the morning ferry – gathered for the special occasion, with the Mass celebrated by Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn, who was joined by concelebrants, Rottnest Island Chaplain Fr Joseph Rathnaraj, former Chaplain Fr Leon Russell and former Ballajura Parish Priest Fr John Jegorow.
In his homily for the occasion, Fr Glynn highlighted the significance of celebrating the anniversary on the Feast of the Holy Trinity — a cornerstone of the Catholic faith.
“The solemnity of the Holy Trinity proclaims to the world, to all Christians and indeed to us present in this Church dedicated to the Holy Trinity this morning our Christian belief in the one God,” he said, acknowledging the challenge this mystery poses.
“And that within the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three persons being truly distinct from each other,” he said.
Fr Glynn emphasised the sacredness of the Holy Trinity Church, describing it as a spiritual beacon.
“The sacraments have been celebrated here for 50 years. I think of those who have been baptised, received the Eucharist, been married and at the end of their life their mortal remains are placed here,” he reflected, also noting, “The bells that are rung break into all the activities on this island and call us to the sacred, call us to contemplation and God.”
Established in 1975 by Monsignor Sean O’Shea, Holy Trinity Church became a symbol of resilience and vision for the Catholic community on Rottnest Island.
Originally arriving on the island in 1961 by mistake, Monsignor O’Shea quickly turned accidental visits into a lifelong dedication to pastoral ministry, often celebrating Mass in unconventional venues such as the island’s old picture theatre and World War II-era huts.
Monsignor O’Shea’s determination culminated in the construction of Holy Trinity Church, officially opened on 25 May 1975.
Designed by architect C.J. Gabriels, the church, complete with movable side doors and integrated priest’s quarters, quickly became renowned not just for worship, but also for hospitality.
Monsignor O’Shea, affectionately called “Mons,” was known for offering visitors his famous homemade fig jam and pikelets.
A particularly memorable event in the church’s history was the installation of the iconic carillon of bells for its tenth anniversary in 1985.
In a testament to Monsignor O’Shea’s resourcefulness, these bells were airlifted to the island by a helicopter courtesy of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet—a spectacular moment vividly remembered by locals.
Msgr O’Shea retired in 2012, passing away months later and is now buried within the grounds of the Church at Rottnest.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations also saw the unveiling and blessing by Fr Glynn of a specially commissioned Golden Memorial Plaque, followed by a social gathering and high tea, fostering a sense of community and shared history.
Some 20 parishioners from Maida Vale, where current Chaplain Fr Joseph’s Rathnaraj was Parish Priest – were also present for the occasion.
Reflecting on half a century of spiritual service, current Chaplain Fr Joseph Rathnaraj said the milestone is an opportunity to honour Monsignor O’Shea’s enduring legacy.
“We celebrate the past and pray for continued blessings upon all who visit this sacred place.”
“This is a moment to give thanks for the blessings of the past 50 years, and to pray that the Church may continue to serve all who live on or visit this beautiful Island,” Fr Joseph said.
Fr Glynn concluded his homily by reinforcing to those present that they gathered firstly to give thanks to God.
“This Church is on a hilltop it is a reminder and sign that God is always present, we might be on a holiday, but God is never on a holiday,” Fr Glynn emphasised.
“In this Jubilee year of Hope, may this Church on the hilltop continue to be a sign of the presence of God a sign to all of Christian hope, that our true homeland, our true island of refuge and refreshment is Jesus Christ,” he concluded.