St Thomas More
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Parish Office
69 North Street, Hadfield 3046
PRIEST: Fr Giang Tran - SECRETARY: Mrs Stefanie Lidestri
Tel: (03) 9357 1422
Office Hours: Tues, Thur & Fri 9.00am - 1.00pm.

History

St Thomas More Parish History

1962  It is decided that the residents of Glenroy East (Hadfield) will have their own parish. In May the first Mass was celebrated at the Hadfield Scout Hall.

People put collection boxes in local shops to raise money for land, which they cleared themselves in order for buildings to be erected.

1963  In December Mass first celebrated in the New Parish building "The Old Tin Shed". This was to serve as Church., youth and community centre and later as school building.

1964  First of February marks the beginning of the Parish with Fr Tom Mulligan as the first Parish Priest. Presbytery at 32 Angus Street is also completed.

1965  Fr. Dom De Giorgio becomes the first Assistant Priest.

St. Thomas More's School opened with 121 students of preps, grade 1 and 2 and with Miss Nola Farrell (Principal for 1 month), who entered the Sisters of Mercy. Nola was followed by

Miss Clara Anson who was principal until 1969.

1968  The Convent Building was completed.

1969  Arrival of the Maltese Domenican Sisters, they governed the school until 1974.

1973  Church Building was completed.

1979  New Presbytery building completed.

1980  The year of a storm which lifted the roof of the Hall and demolished the west wing of the school.

1982  New School Building is completes for the final two weeks of the year.

1984  First Pastoral Associate employed - Sr Irene Hayes RSM.

1986   Dominican Sisters moved to Keilor Downs: Rosary Home. The Convent becomes the "Mission House"and used for various parish gatherings regular and occasional.

1989  Celebration of the Parish's 25th Anniversary.

1991  Fr Tom Mulligan died on November 4th. His funeral was held at St. Thomas More. The main celebrant was Bishop O'Connell. The Homily was given by Fr. Dom De Giorgio. Fr Mulligan is                buried at Fawkner Cemetery.

1993  Fr Mick Mulcahy moves to Kensington and St. Thomas More became a one priest Parish.

1994  Celebration of the Parish's 30th Anniversary.

1996  New School Building and refurbishment completed and officially opened and blessed. This was financially possible with a $1.2 million given by Capital Grants.

1997  Opening and blessing of the renovated Parish Centre at 65 North Street on 22nd June.

2014  St. Thomas More celebrated in June, its 50th Anniversary. This Golden Jubilee Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart who was assisted by current Priest Fr. Peter-Damien McKinley, and former Priests Fr. Karmel Borg, Fr. Dom De Giorgio, Fr. Len Thomas, Fr. Peter Carrucan, Fr. Tony Feeney and Fr. Giang Tran (Prefect of Ceremonies).

In December of this year Bishop Terry Curtin performed the official blessing and opening of the new St. John Paul Room and the new west entrance of the Church.

 

 This time-line could never show the determination and fighting spirit of the Hadfield parishioners. A spirit which has been tested time and time again. It has never failed. Whether the storm be physical or emotional. Hadfield has never let the spirit down. Whether the building be physical or spiritual, the determination is there, a spirit and determination equal to the great faith of and in the Parish of St. Thomas More, Hadfield.

 

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