As Catholic European settlers arrived in the Kalamunda parish in the early 1950s, their skills were immediately utilised to build the first church in the area – now Holy Family Catholic Parish.
Past and present members of the parish celebrated the achievement on 6 February when they gathered to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
The Diamond Jubilee occasion began with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Tim Costelloe SBD, alongside parish priest Fr Greg Donovan and other co-celebrants.
The wonderful communal spirit that has been nourished over the past six decades was on display as attendees celebrated after with a supper, sharing stories and reliving memories.
A Jubilee booklet containing photos donated by parishioners was distributed to all those in attendance and triggered enthusiastic conversation as past and present clergy, parishioners and supporters re-lived highlights of the community’s history.
Parish secretary and long-time parishioner, Lourdes Sasidharan said the introductory message printed in the booklet reflected the sentiments of the congregation who had been preparing for the occasion for a long time.
“It is a joy that we welcome our Archbishop, former parish priests and sisters who have worked so long in the hills, the pastors of our local sister churches and our own parishioners who worshipped here in this church and the present parishioners who continue the story of our parish.”
Lourdes said that all those involved with the organising of the event had been delighted with the response.
“It was the parishioners who worked together to make the event such a huge success,” she shared.