The parish of St Kieran’s in Osborne Park has undergone many changes in its 100 year history, but the spirit of community continues to blossom, Parish Priest Fr Michael Gatt proclaimed during the Centenary celebrations on July 27.
“Like all parishes, this one has had many ups and downs…but the ups have far outweighed the downs”, he stated in the parish’s commemorative booklet, “(and) the response, support and co-operation of the parishioners has been enormous.”
Fr Gatt first recognised the special qualities of the parish in 1978 – however his dream of serving there was not fulfilled until February 2000.
It was a joy reflected during the centenary Mass concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton and Fr Gatt with more than 500 current and former parishioners.
The celebrations, which Fr Gatt described as very exciting and momentous, incorporated the cutting of a cake by parishioner Mrs Grazia Galante, who was also celebrating her 100th birthday.
The original church building, named after the first Irish born saint, was blessed and opened by Archbishop Patrick Clune in November 1914.
A school was opened on the Osborne Park site in 1934 and in 1937 St Kieran’s, which had fallen under the umbrella of the Leederville parish since its inception, was granted its own status as a parish.
In 1939 a Sisters of Mercy Convent was established, followed by a new Church Hall in 1951, a Bell Tower in 1954, a Presbytery in 1957, a new church building in 1983 and the original church building was converted into a Parish Centre in 1988.
Since arriving in 2000 Fr Gatt – now the longest serving Parish Priest at St Kieran’s – has also overseen amongst other changes, refurbishments to the Parish centre in 2004 and the installation of a new roof in 2011.
Fr Gatt thanked both past and current community members for their roles in creating the successful parish that is operating today.
“I gratefully acknowledge the good and hard work of my predecessors together with so many lay people,” he said.
“Not to forget about the good work of so many unsung heroes such as Thomas Deacon who has organised the Planned Giving Program for the past 50 years.”
Fr Gatt also paid thanks for the unprecedented number of children prepared by the parish for the Sacraments of Initiation in 2014 and expressed his gratitude for the parents, teachers and catechists who have made this possible.
“There have been 100 first reconciliations, 120 First Holy communions and 80 Confirmations”, he announced.
Fr Gatt also mentioned that he is hopeful that such wonderful signs of growth will lay the foundations for this vibrant community for the next hundred years to come.