Parish of Meredith

Major anniversaries provide an opportunity to look back and to review the happenings and achievements, and to look forward and plan for the future.

In March, 1975 the parish celebrated it‘s centenary. That was a time of great joy and celebration. A time too to reflect upon the heritage of the parish and to acknowledge the faith of all those who contributed to the character and traditions of the parish. In 1875 the parish began with 6 Mass communities: Meredith, Steiglitz, Elaine, Anakie, Lethbridge and Darriwil. Lal Lal was added in 1909. Over the years as population patterns changed 3 of those Mass centres closed; Steiglitz in 1927, Darriwil in 1950, and Lal Lal in 1960. All 7 centres have had an influence on the parish and in a variety of ways continue to have an influence.
At the time of the centenary Father Peter Neyens was parish priest; he served here for 19 yesrs (1962-1980) and is the longest serving Parish Priest. When he retired in 1980, Fr.Gerry. Loughnan was appointed. In mid 1982 Father Joe Dargan was appointed Parish Priest, and served here until the beginning of 1988 when Father Tom Furey arrived. Father John Haines was appointed on 1st July, 1996.

A great deal has happened in the parish since 1975, much of it the everyday activities of a faith community spreading the Good News. There have also been some “high lights”:
The centenary of St.Joseph‘s Church, Meredith, in August 1990.

The moving of the old St.Joseph‘s school building to a site closer to the church and presbytery at Meredith and its renovation and adaptation for use as a Parish Centre. This was undertaken as part of the Meredith church centenary in 1990. A major driving force behind this project was John Nolan and his enthusiasm and energy must be acknowledged. The centre provides a venue for social and formation activities in the parish in place of St.Joseph‘s Hall, which was sold for removal in 1985. Parish involement in the Archdiocese project called “Tomorrows Church”. The decision to undertake the Parish renewal program called “Movement for a Better World”. After lengthy discussions and consultations the renewal program began in late 1995, and is certainly of benifit spiritually and socially for the parish. The parish was at the crossroads. Due to the change of demographics in rural Victoria, numbers attending Mass were declining. During the “Tomorrow‘s Church” review it was decided to investigate various programs for revitalizing the parish. M B W was thought to satisfy our needs. Some of the activities that have been undertaken since 1995:

• Family dances.
• Pancake Sundays.
• Seniors Mass & Lunch.
• All Soul‘s Day services at the local cemeteries.
• Church Crawl.
• Parish Picnic.
• Publication of Parish Newsletter.
• Parish Stall at the Meredith Country Festival.
• Teenager‘s Mass and Children‘s Mass.
• Dinners with a guest speaker.
• Lent and Advent programs.
• Enthusiastic involvement in Geelong Deanery    programs .
• Training of Special Ministers and Lectors.
• Initiation of Spiritual Library of videos, tapes and books.
• Christmas get-together.

The parish has a strong ecumenical spirit. In Meredith there is the Good Friday Way of the Cross through the streets of Meredith. The Christian Churches co-operate in the “World Day of Prayer” each year at different centres. At the 1975 Centenary of the Parish of Meredith there was an ecumenical choir for the Mass- a first in the parish. The local clergy from the various churches are supportive of each other, and there are regular ecumenical church services.

OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:

• To continue the building of a sense of community by prayer and social activities.
• To challenge all parishioners to grow in faith, joy and love.
• Through participation in archdiocesan, deanery and in-parish programs to develop greater participation in lay ministries throughout the parish.
• To encourage each “corner” of the parish to savour its own uniqueness, whilst encouraging a sense of belonging to the “whole parish".