By John Lilford
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The first catholic church in the area was St Monica’s at Kyabram West, opened in 1878 by the Most Reverend Martin Crane, the first Bishop of Sandhurst.
And this began the formal parish life of Catholics in the area.
A second church within the confines of the present Kyabram parish was St Patrick’s Henley, built late in 1883 at Kyabram East, down Cooma Rd.
Once the railway came to the district however, it bypassed Henley. So, the natural site for a Catholic church was in the village.
For several years St Monica and St Patrick’s were looked after by visiting priests from the Augustinian order from Echuca.
In May 1887 the Tatura Herald reported “the Roman Catholics are in treaty to build a church in the township (Kyabram). They have not decided yet whether it is to be on township block or in the paddock adjoining the Presbyterian Church”.
Hugh Ryan a trustee of Henley Church, got the ball rolling for relocating Henley church.
St Augustine’s, the first Catholic church in the township, opened in 1889 on January 20. At this time as part of the Echuca parish.
Fr William O’Byrne started the separation of Kyabram from Echuca parish.
At this time the Henley Church was relocated to the corner of Church and Unitt St, however the site proved to be too small to occupy a church, presbytery, convent and parish school and a larger property was purchased in 1900 at the present site for 500 pounds.
During this time and until early 2006, the parish was administered by the Augustinian Order and supported by Brigidine nuns. Even our present Pope – as Fr Robert Prevost, an Augustinian – visited our parish in December 2005.
The foundation stone was laid in 1910 and opened in 1911.
Kyabram Catholic parish incorporated St Patrick’s Tongala and St Sebastian’s Merrigum, with mass centres at Girgarre, Wyuna and Kyabram West.
The Church has had two major renovations, the latest completed in 2000.
We were so fortunate to have many wonderful priests minister to us. The Augustinian spirituality provided a rich window on the Gospel, which resonated with people’s lives, as it did with Augustine of Hippo, they encounter the restlessness in the human heart and the search of meaning.
A quote from Augustine is “our hearts are restless until it rests in you”.
The Brigidine nuns played an important role in school and parish life as excellent teachers and mentors to students. They also provided much needed support to parishioners.
They were a delight to have around and were always welcoming, ready to listen and help.
Parish life evolved thanks to the many volunteers who gave up their time, treasures and talents. Initiatives include bazaars, deb balls, dances, dinners, suppers, concerts etc. And not neglecting the spiritual life of the parishioners saw sacramental programs, youth ministry, adult faith formation, Knights of the Southern Cross, etc.
In March 1934, to help the disadvantaged of the local community the Society of St Vincent’s de Paul St Augustine’s Conference Kyabram was established and has been active ever since.
Its first full-time store opened in the 1960s, firstly in Allan St opposite Hurley Hotel and in 1973 the Society purchased the present location. We are so thankful for the many volunteers who run the shop and conference as so many people have been helped over the years.
Our parish also contributed financially to the establishment of the school.
Initially they were run by the Brigidine nuns and as time went by lay teachers were employed. There are so many stories of students recalling their times being taught by the nuns, however not many tell of their part of why they got the strap.
Sport was a vital part of parish and school life. Netball, football and tennis clubs were established and well supported, bringing competitiveness and fellowship.
The mother’s club also played a significant role in the school community and was exceptional at fundraising and had a hand in the annual fete for many years.
The Catholic Women’s League, or CWL, was also very active providing spiritual nourishment to its member as well as fundraising.
At the end of every year, it presented awards to St Augustine’s and St Patrick’s students and to charitable organisations. It also ran the Tongala debutante ball for many years.
Leading up to 2018 a group of parishioners met to prepare for our 140-year celebration.
A lot of work went into the celebration, including producing a book which captures many wonderful stories and the life of our parishioners.
Stories of joy in celebrating baptisms, first Holy Communion, confirmation and marriages, ordinations of priests and of sadness when it came to funerals.
We are so grateful for the heritage that we have.
There are so many more memories, stories and experiences to share, however we treasure them in our hearts.
We are truly thankful for the many people who have founded and contributed to the life of Kyabram Catholic parish, and so pleased to be part of the growing community of Kyabram for 150 years.