In the previous edition of our newsletter, I highlighted the celebration of 180 years of Mercy in Australia. This year also marks the 175th anniversary of the establishment of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish, Heidelberg.

According to St. John’s Parish website: ‘In 1851, Bishop Gould formally established the Heidelberg Parish – then designated the Heidelberg Mission. Today, the beautiful bluestone church, designed by William Wardell, with its magnificent stained-glass window, continues to service our thriving parish of over 1000 families. In the early days, the parish boundaries extended as far as Lilydale, Healesville, Warburton and many nearby places, including Eltham, Hurstbridge, Bulleen, Yan Yean, Templestowe and Epping. Today’s parish includes the suburb of Heidelberg, and parts of Eaglemont, Heidelberg Heights, Ivanhoe and Rosanna. The foundation stone for the present church was laid by the Rev. Dr. Fitzpatrick, Vicar General, on 6 March 1859. It was blessed by Bishop O’Quinn of Brisbane on 14 April 1861 and dedicated to St John the Evangelist. In 2001, we celebrated the 150th year of our parish (affectionately known as St John’s on the Hill). St. John’s Primary School today stands on the site of the original weatherboard chapel, St. Monica’s, built in 1851.’

St. John’s is our closest neighbour - literally across the road on Cape Street - and one of our Catholic feeder primary schools. The current parish priest, Fr Vinh Nguyen, has also been appointed our College Chaplain and so may I take this opportunity to welcome Fr Vinh as a member of our OLMC community.

St. John’s will be celebrating 175 years in various ways throughout the year, as advertised in their 2026 Parish Calendar. Some events worth highlighting include:

• 175th Anniversary Mass to be celebrated by the Most Reverend Peter A. Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne, on Sunday 3 May at 10.30 am, followed by a light luncheon in the hall
• 175th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Friday 29 May at 7.00 pm in Ivanhoe Centre-Heidelberg Town Hall (ticketed event)
• Thanksgiving Mass for the Sisters of Mercy on Sunday 13 September at 10.30 am, followed by morning tea

Our OLMC community looks forward to celebrating and deepening our relationship with St. John’s especially in this anniversary year.