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Signs and Symbols: A Reflection

The cross reminds us of the sacrifices of the Christian life

Sacramental Signs and Symbols

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Pray.Com.Au -- Madonna Magazine/Australian Jesuits

Sacred Space

Pray As You Go
is a daily prayer session, designed to go with you wherever you go, to help you pray whenever you find time, but particularly whilst travelling to and from work, study, etc.

The Daily Scripture Readings And Meditations
pdf
The hour of the domestic church is now by Teresa Pirola (281 KB)

Australian Census: 2021 Parish Social Profile

Prayers for Schools

How Do I Know I'm Experiencing God?

pdf Creating a Sacred Site (space) in your home (147 KB)

pdf Why We Do ... The Things We Do (378 KB)

Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association, serving Catholic Education through faith-filled leadership

METROPOLITAN

Catholic Social Services Victoria

NATIONAL

ACBC Social Justice Statement 2023 - 2024 ~ Listen, Learn, Love – A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

pdf Bishops Commission for Liturgy (May 2020) Draft Guidelines on Ministry of Holy Communion for Those living with Coeliac Disease Or Gluten Intolerance (745 KB)

Coordinating the Catholic Church's response to the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse with a commitment to justice and compassion for survivors

pdf Child Abuse Church Response 1987 - 2019 (252 KB)

Caritas Australia: Catholic Social Teaching

UNIVERSAL

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CITY OF WHITEHORSE

Whitehorse 2040 Community Vision - Special Edition

Whitehorse City Council Latest News

Whitehorse News February 2024  

LITURGICAL CALENDAR 

UNDERSTANDING THE CHURCH SEASONS 

Sunday Mass Times

Saturday (Vigil) 5.00pm (with effect from January 01, 2025)

Sunday 8.30am at St Luke's the Evangelist, 46 Orchard Grove, Blackburn South

             10.30am at St Timothy's Forest Hill, 17 Stevens Road Vermont Vic 3133

Weekday Mass Times

Tuesday      5:30pm -6:25pm Adoration and Reconciliation followed by 6:30pm mass

Wednesday 9:15am at St Timothy's, Forest Hill

                   (Note; 1st Wednesday of the Month, Mass of Healing @10am)

Thursday   9:15am at St Timothy's, Forest Hill. (None on 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd May 2025)

Friday        9.15am (followed by the Rosary) (None on 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd May 2025)

Saturday   9.15am (followed by the Rosary) (None on 3rd, 10th, 17th May 2025)

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Tuesday   5:30-6:10pm

Saturday  9.45-10:15am & 4:30-4:50pm (None on 3rd, 10th, 17th May 2025)

or by Appointment (please contact the Parish Office)

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Blackburn South was gradually developing into a suburban area, with the replacement of the fruit orchards and the surrounding paddocks by family houses. Orchard Road, so named because of the lemon orchard where the church and school are now situated, and other fruit orchards, was an unmade road with a few shops nearby along Canterbury Road. As the area grew, the parish priest at St Thomas the Apostle, Blackburn, Father Paul Ryan, decided that Blackburn South also needed a school and parish in its own right.

Land was purchased to build the church/school. On the existing site, there were three houses, one of which became the first presbytery. The new building consisted of three classrooms, separated by folding doors, an altar and sacristy. After mass each Sunday, the church seats were moved into the three separate classrooms ready for school on a Monday.

The Blackburn South parish was separated from Blackburn parish in 1962, and in early 1963, Father F. Larsen was named the first parish priest. According to the records found in the school’s archives, “the parish is (sic) situated on 4 ½ acres of land in a semi-rural picturesque residential area”. 

The church, as we know it, was not constructed until Fr. Kennelly arrived. As the Parish was finding it difficult to raise a loan, he suggested to the parishioners that they lend the money, which he would guarantee to pay back within three years. The funds raised enabled the church to be built and furnished. The Stations of the Cross were a donation from an Italian couple in the parish, Mr & Mrs Perara.

In 1962, the primary school opened with two classes: Grade 2 of 41 students and Grade 3 with 33 students, although the school was not officially registered until 25th November, 1963.

Early in the life of the Parish, a group formed to introduce the Sacrificial Offerings to raise funds to purchase parish needs. The first meeting was held at Box Hall Lower Town Hall and was very well attended.

A number of groups developed from the original sportsmen’s group which held fund raising nights. These include the Maintenance Team which looks after the grounds and any repairs needed to the church; the Church cleaning teams where volunteers spend part of Saturday morning ensuring the inside of the church and the outside toilets are clean and tidy; the Flowers team where members bring flowers from their own gardens to decorate the altar for each week from Saturday morning. Participation in all of these groups is voluntary; once a year, clipboards are distributed and those who can provide some time sign up; rosters are then drawn up by a person responsible for each team. During Fr. Staunton’s time, parishioners were encouraged to volunteer as readers (Ministers of the Word) or Special Ministers of Communion (Ministers of the Eucharist) and rosters for these are drawn up by Noelle Hughes. There is also a small team of volunteers who distribute communion to those elderly parishioners who are unable to attend Mass; these may be in their own homes, or in Aged Care residences such as Inala and Goodwin Close.

In 1994, a monthly newsletter, ‘The Evangelist’, was produced. In the third issue, George O’Brien began a history of the local parishes from his family’s point of view. His reflections confirm what other early parishioners, especially John and Joan Robinson and Frank Kenealy have recounted, namely that after St Francis Xavier’s at Box Hill, St Thomas’s at Blackburn, with Fr. Paul Ryan as parish priest started. For those who built houses in Blackburn South, there was a bus along Middleborough and Canterbury Roads to take families to St Thomas’s. As George O’Brien comments, this was the social event of the week, enabling “a sense of identity as South Blackburn folk” to develop. He identified a number of families: Robinsons, Dynans, Sheehans, Byrnes, John Bourke, some of whom are no longer with us. He also notes that Fr. Ryan had started to organise the purchase of land to establish new parishes, one of which would be at Blackburn South.

During the early to mid 1990s, there was also a Children’s Liturgy group at the 10.30 mass because of the number of parents with young children. The key organisers were Andrea de Carvalho, Marianne Stevenson, Bernadine Brennan and Margaret Yore. Together with volunteers, they took a small group of young children to the room next to the sacristy to do activities associated with the gospel of the day. The children returned at the beginning of the Offertory and were part of the procession, sharing what they had been doing with Fr. Staunton and the congregation.

Music for 10.30 masses has been provided by a choir of volunteer parishioners and organists and conductors since 1966. The first organist, Mary Egan, was greatly appreciated by many people for her wonderful talent in playing the organ and preparing the choir to sing. Mary retired from her role as organist just prior to falling ill.

On Mary’s retirement, the parish was fortunate in having Terry Wells volunteer to take over the responsibility for the choir and music as he had been in the St Patrick’s Cathedral choir. Together with Bill Goodwin at the organ, they have been able to maintain the music on Sundays, and especially at Easter and Christmas. After many years of service, Terry retired from the position of choir conductor at the end of 2011, and in order for the work which he and Mary had carried out to be continued, Margaret Yore and Margaret Gearon agreed to take on joint responsibility for the hymns at the 10.30 mass. Bill Goodwin has taken responsibility for encouraging a group of young musicians who provide the music once a month at the 6.00pm mass and he rehearses with them on a Sunday after 10.30 mass. The choir is also fortunate to be able to call on the school choir, led by Margaret Yore for special occasions such as the St Luke’s day Mass and First Holy Communion.

pdf Margaret Gearon's Final History of School and Parish 2012

on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Parish  (944 KB)

Sacrament of Initiation

Because water is essential to all life, the water of baptism symbolises the life-giving grace that sustains those who have become children of God.

Baptism is the first sacrament. It incorporates us into the Church and through it we are ‘reborn’ as daughters and sons of God.

Baptism is performed by immersion in or pouring of water and the words ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’.

Parents who ask to have their children baptised accept the responsibility of training them in the practice of the faith and bringing them up to keep God’s commandments.

Baptism Symbols

Water is the central symbol of baptism. Because water is essential to all life, the water of baptism symbolises the life-giving grace that sustains those who have become children of God.

Oil is used twice in the ceremony. Before the baptism, the child’s breast is smeared with the oil of catechumens as a sign of healing and strengthening. Afterwards the crown of the head is anointed with perfumed chrism as a symbol of joy and thanksgiving.

The white garment with which the newly baptised is then clothed symbolises their new life in Christ and is “the outward sign of Christian dignity”. A baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle beside the font and presented to the new member as a sign of the light of Christ.

When and Where?

Baptism is about being made a part of the community of faith; it is not a private family occasion. Therefore baptisms are normally conducted during Sunday Mass or with several other families at another time on Sunday in the parish church. Some parishes do not hold baptisms during Lent which is a time of penance and preparation for the sacraments.

Parents sometimes want their baby to be baptised in a school chapel or other place which has some meaning to them as individuals, but that is not appropriate as it is the local parish community that welcomes new members and provides the sense of belonging for the children and their families.

Godparents

A godparent has to be at least 16 years old, must have been confirmed and received first Holy Communion, and needs to live a life of faith which will be an example and support to their godchild.

Contacts

Please make contact with the Parish to enquire about having your child baptised. Most parishes conduct preparation sessions for parents and godparents before the baptism is scheduled.

pdf Inquiry Form (538 KB)

pdf 10 Ways to Prepare for your Baby's Baptism (111 KB)

pdf 10 ways to Host a Party for your Baby's Baptism (122 KB)

pdf Be a Great Godparent (127 KB)

pdf The Sanctity of Human Life (188 KB)

Working Together in Mission with the local Catholic Schools

This really is the ‘go to’ statement for the ‘how to’ of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. You are the ones invited to ‘bring it to life’.

Saint Luke the Evangelist ~ the Local Catholic MACS Primary School

Our current Principal, Mrs Clare Ryan, comes to us as the former Deputy Principal and Leader in Faith across two schools, St Gabriel’s and St Stephen’s Reservoir and Reservoir East respectively. She began this new appointment on August 8th 2022. “I feel so passionately that as educators, we can help each child meet their own personal potential - academically, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is so important to partner with families to develop the whole child and it is these partnerships that l treasure. My other passion is my family. I am married to Mark and have three adult children - Jack, Cait and Dylan. They inspire me every day. I also love walking and socialising. Life is full. The future is always exciting in education.”

Thanks Clare for joining us here and we want you to know that you are truly welcome among us.

So, WELCOME to YOU too to St Luke the Evangelist Primary School. We are a community of learners who draw on our faith and the strong partnerships we form with families, our parish and the local community to be the best learners we can be. Research shows that when schools partner with families and their communities, outcomes grow and children thrive.

Our teachers are passionate about acknowledging the dignity of every child, ensuring individual strengths are celebrated and personal learning styles are considered when designing, planning and implementing the broad range of school based programs. They nurture the spiritual, cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of our children. By being role models and mentors, teachers inspire our children to dream of being creative, innovative and optimistic young adults of tomorrow.

St Luke’s is a safe learning environment supported by staff, parents and parish. Fr Gerard Johnson leads our faith-filled parish community. With 165 children enrolled, we discover, explore and grow together, reflecting and responding to the world around us with a strong sense of justice in action and kindness in approach. We embrace the diversity of culture and faith within our school community and give thanks to our First Nations people for the use of their sacred land.

We would love you to visit our unique community here at St Luke the Evangelist, Blackburn South and feel the joy our community shares as they discover, explore and grow.

Contact details:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

School Office: 03 9877 4023

• 19 October 2022 - Letter from the Victorian Bishops CECV Review Response and Directives
• Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools: A Message from the Board Chair
• Addendum 1. MELBOURNE ARCHDIOCESE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS is please to share
  with you a copy of the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)
  inaugural strategic plan, MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World.
• Addendum 2. The Statement of Mission will guide all of MACS work into the years ahead
• Addendum 3. Charter for Parishes and Schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne ~
  Working Together in Mission

20220801 Stage One of the Refurbishment is now fully operational

20201211 Archbishop's Letter to Parents of children in Catholic Schools about Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)

pdf 20200728 The hour of the domestic church is now by Teresa Pirola (281 KB)

pdf 20200624 2019 Offer of Supplementary Capital Fund Support for St Luke the Evangelist School, Blackburn South (46 KB)

This written confirmation from the Catholic Education Melbourne Director of the offer of Supplementary Capital Fund (SCF) support to Saint Luke the Evangelist Primary School Blackburn South, will enable it to formally begin to engage an Architect for a long awaited and protracted refurbishment program in this School that will initially concentrate on Learning Areas, bring the infrastructure up to date and attend to some significant areas of wear and tear that require immediate attention.

20200611 Parent's Association

2018 School Annual Statement

School Vision: We are St Luke’s. A community of faith, learning and partnership. Journeying together, we strive to live the Gospel so that all may enjoy the fullness of life. We look with wonder at our world and embrace learning through inquiry, through action, through reflection to realise our potential. We celebrate diversity and we welcome the opportunity to live and work together. 

Secondary Colleges

Emmaus College

www.emmaus.vic.edu.au
03 9845 3211                                               pdf 2019 Statement to the Community (6.33 MB)

 

Our Lady of Sion College

www.sion.catholic.edu.au
03 9890 9097                                               2021 Statement to the Community

                                                                               

Whitefriars College

www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au
03 9872 8200                                                             Statements to the Community

 

Siena College

www.siena.vic.edu.au
03 9835 0200                                                             Statements to the Community pdf
(5.71 MB)
 

    Avila College

    www.avila.vic.edu.au
    03 9831 9600                                               2021 Statement to the Community

Parish Office: 03 9412 8499

Staffed Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10.00am - 2.00pm

for St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Parish Blackburn South &
St Timothy’s Catholic Parish Forest Hill

17 Stevens Road Vermont Vic 3133

Church Address for St Luke the Evangelist
46 Orchard Grove, Blackburn South, Vic 3130
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(03) 9877 2292

[P.O. Box 2140
Blackburn South Vic 3130]

Sonya O'Farrell as Parish Secretary is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays in the Parish Office from 10.00am to 2:00pm

Our Parish Team

Please complete the contact form below:

Feast Day: 18th October

Luke the Evangelist is one of the Four Evangelists and authors of Jesus Christ Gospels. Luke was born in Antioch in Syria.

In the New Testament, Luke is mentioned as a doctor, although he is thought to have been both a physician and a disciple of Paul.

Luke died at age 84 in Boeotia, his tomb was located in Thebes (Greece), from whence his relics were transferred first to Constantinople, later to Padua.

In traditional paintings, St. Luke is often accompanied by an ox or bull, usually having wings. This is his Evangelic symbol.

The relics of St. Luke are so divided: the body, in the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Padua; the head, in the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague; a rib, at his tomb in Thebes.

pdf
The Tomb of St Luke the Evangelist (975 KB)

Prayer to Saint Luke the Evangelist

Lord God, who chose Saint Luke to reveal by his preaching
and writings the mystery of your love for the poor,
grant that those who already glory in your name
may persevere as one heart and one soul and that all nations
may merit to see your salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
for ever and ever. Amen!

Saint Luke the Evangelist: Pray for us.

Patron Saint of artists, physicians, surgeons, students and butchers.

In the early Church, the “four living creatures” that encircle God’s throne in the Book of Revelation (4:7-8) became symbols for the evangelists.

These symbols originated from the four-sided creatures described by the prophet Ezekiel 600 years before the birth of Christ. “Within it (a storm wind) were figures resembling four living creatures that looked like this: their form was human, but each had four faces and four wings ... Each of the four had the face of a man, but on the right side was the face of a lion, and on the left side the face of an ox and finally each had the face of an eagle.” (Ezekiel 1:5, 6 & 10)

St. Jerome, in the latter part of the fourth century, attributed these symbols to the four canonical evangelists. The Gospel of Matthew begins with the Incarnation, so his symbol is a man (or an angel). Mark begins his Gospel with John the Baptist whose “voice crying out in the wilderness” was as solitary and powerful as a lion’s roar. Luke stressed the theme of sacrifice, so the figure of the ox was associated with him. And John’s Gospel, according to St. Jerome, achieved spiritual heights and therefore soared like an eagle.

Some additional links about St. Luke and his church,

• The Tomb of St Luke the Evangelist
• Saint Luke the Evangelist's final resting place (images) ~ Abbey of Santa Giustina (& Wikipedia)
• Saints in Rome and Beyond! Saint Luke the Evangelist
• and our Australian Catholic Bishop's Conference 2021 Parish Social Profile

Ordinary Time is the longest season in the Church’s year. Comprising thirty-three weeks, it is divided into two sections; one short and the other very long.

One Parish, Two Churches
2025

As the Church enters this time of Easter filled with the light and hope of the world, it is with deep sadness that we have received the news of the death of His Holiness, Pope Francis.

We unite with all the People of God in praying for the eternal rest of his soul and entrust him to the tender loving mercy of the Father.

Pope Francis, who came from the peripheries of the world, has been the father of the poor, and a witness of joy and hope. May the Lord, he so faithfully trusted, now welcome him into eternal life.

May he rest in God’s gracious and gentle peace.

Mary, Our Blessed Mother of God, pray for him.
St Francis of Assisi, pray for him.
All Holy Men and Women, Saints of God, pray for him.

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli
Archbishop of Melbourne

Statement on the death of His Holiness, Pope… | Melbourne Catholic

Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

As we celebrate the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we welcome you to this blessed Easter season and the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 at St Luke’s and St Timothy’s. In this sacred time, we are reminded that through the Risen Christ, hope is alive, and we are never alone. His triumph over death is our promise of new life, purpose, and community. Whether you are a regular here, new or returning, you are welcome.

Here, there’s something for everyone—young and old, seekers of truth, those who want to go deeper into their faith or those simply looking to connect. You can connect with God and with each other in our regular worship services, have a cuppa, join us in our regular bible study sessions. There is Young Adults as well as Youth group. For social action and services, you can get involved in the St Vincent de Paul Society as well as being volunteers in various Church ministries. Let us experience the life-giving power of the Risen Christ within a safe space where we can grow, ask questions, and experience God’s love together.

Join us as we walk in the light of the Resurrection, building a community rooted in Faith, Hope, Love, and belonging. Let us dive in the Joy of Easter, the Joy of the Risen Christ, get connected, share conversations, and perhaps experience forgiveness, restoration, healing, transformation and renewal for our hearts and our Church.

Come and See. Come and Belong. Come and Rise.

‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”- John 11:25-26

Father Alex Chow, Parish Priest of St Luke’s and St Timothy’s, 20 April 2025

Upcoming Events

• Daily Prayer

pdf (1.62 MB)