In November 2024 Beechworth, one of the five original missions and a foundation Parish of the Diocese of Sandhurst, celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese with a series of Masses in its Beechworth and Yackandandah communities. Parishioners took the opportunity to also celebrate the 170-year history of their Parish,.
By Aileen Taylor, Beechworth Parishioner
In November 2024, the Beechworth Parish, comprising the communities of St Joseph's, Beechworth and St Matthew's, Yackandandah, celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese with a Triduum of Masses leading to the final celebration Mass.
A Children’s Liturgy at St Joseph’s on Wednesday 20 November, followed by Mass at St Joseph’s on Thursday; an evening Mass at St Matthew’s on Saturday; and concluded with Mass on the Solemnity of Christ the King (Sunday 24 November) celebrated by Bishop Shane, and concelebrated by Monsignor Crisologo Manongas (Parish Priest of Beechworth), Monsignor Peter Jeffrey (former Assistant Priest at Beechworth) and Fr Mike Pullar (former Parish Priest).
The festivities were a time of celebrating not only our Diocese's 150th Jubilee, but also, the rich 170-year history of our own parish. The Offertory at the Sunday Mass in Beechworth included tools used by early miners and vestments used by pioneering priests. The Prayers of the Faithful acknowledged the history of the parish; paid homage to the early pioneer priests; and gave thanks to the Brigidine Sisters who had fostered primary and secondary education in Beechworth since the very early days of the parish.
Lunch shared after the Mass provided a wonderful opportunity for parishioners to catch up with priests and Brigidine Sisters, as well as staff and students of St Joseph’s School – past and present.
Photography by Gary Coombe Photography.
A timeline of Beechworth Parish
1838 the town of Beechworth, originally called Mayday Hills, was settled.
1856 Beechworth was proclaimed a town.
1857 the original St Joseph's Primary School was built as a wooden structure.
1865 Beechworth was proclaimed a Shire.
1868 St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church was built
1875 the Diocese of Sandhurst was established (before that Beechworth was a mission under Melbourne).
1886 four Brigidine Sisters arrived from Ireland and took over the school.
