Anniversaries at St Alipius Parish

On the weekend of December 14/15, the Parish of St Alipius Ballarat East and Buninyong gathered at a time of significant anniversaries. 170 years since the Eureka rebellion that involved many of the pioneer Catholics including Fr Patrick Smyth, the 150th anniversary of the blessing and opening of the current St Alipius Church. Bishop Michael O’Connor, in his very first public occasion as the Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Ballarat, blessed and opened the Church.

Mass was first celebrated on the Ballarat Goldfields at Brown Hill in 1851 before relocating to the existing Victoria Street site in 1853, where the tent-church-school (as captured by artist Eugene Von Gerrard) was erected.

2024 is also the 10th anniversary of the blessing and opening of Ss Peter and Paul Church Buninyong.

Read more here:

Fr Justin's homily can be read here:

We are a community of communities from the Murray to the sea.
Inspired by the Gospel and nourished by the Eucharist, we follow the example of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, reaching out in joyful and humble service, caring for all of God’s creation, growing in love day by day and looking forward to life with God forever.

Diocesan Vision Statement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands in which the Diocese of Ballarat sits. We would like to pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and future. Their wisdom can help us care for the earth, our common home.

- Acknowledgement of Country -