IT all began in the small town of Roelands, where the arrival of a few Catholic families in 1896 saw the eventual building in 1901 of a small timber and iron church.
By Margret Carbone
IT all began in the small town of Roelands, where the arrival of a few Catholic families in 1896 saw the eventual building in 1901 of a small timber and iron church.
A priest travelled from Bunbury only once every four months, and Roelands later became part of Collie parish. It all culminated in Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic parish in Brunswick Junction preparing to celebrate its centenary as 2009 marks the 100th year since the parish’s first Mass.
In 1914 fundraising began for a new church, and the following year saw Brunswick become part of Yarloop parish. Fr McCabe would drive from Yarloop by horse and sulky once a month to say Mass.
When some of the Catholic families moved to Brunswick, the church was dismantled and reconstructed on the land where Brunswick Catholic Church stands today. This was made possible due to the efforts of the late Mr James Devlin and friends, who, with the help of some families, had collected the money to buy the block. The original building was replaced by the present church in 1922, during Fr Doddy’s time in Brunswick. The church was blessed and officially opened on 12 February 1922 by His Grace Archbishop Clune.
The first Mass in Brunswick was celebrated in September 1909, and the parish has since grown to over 150 families of different ethnic backgrounds, with the annual “Festa” in honour of Our Lady of The Assumption having been held for more than 50 years.
St Michaels’ Catholic School, having been opened by the Presentation Sisters in 1952 in a building originally erected as a cheese factory, now has around 80 students benefiting from a Christian education in a nurturing and supportive environment, and having the opportunity to receive the Sacraments.
Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish extends a cordial invitation to everyone to the Centennial Thanksgiving Mass, 1909 – 2009, to be celebrated by Bishop Gerald Holohan. Mass will be held on Sunday 3rd May 2009 at 2 pm in the church grounds on South-West Highway, followed by afternoon tea. Past and present parishioners and friends are invited to join this memorable occasion to celebrate, give thanks, reminisce and renew friendships.
If anyone has memorabilia which can be borrowed for the day, please phone Shirley Carbone on 9726 9201 or work 9726 1178, or
Rose Tognela on 9726 1358.