The Parish of South West BallaratA Community of Communities

Decree for Holy Trinity Parish, South West Ballarat

On July 1, 2025 a Decree from the Bishop of Ballarat (Bishop Paul Bird CSsR) was received advising that the parishes of Linton, Redan and Sebastopol be dissolved to establish Holy Trinity Parish, South West Ballarat. The newly established parish of Holy Trinity, South West Ballarat, will comprise the territory that currently belongs to the parishes of Linton, Redan and Sebastopol.

Parish Planned Giving

Be a part of the Planned Giving Program to ensure the financial survival and future growth of your parish.

The Planned Giving Program is the major source of income for the parish. Your financial contribution will ensure we continue to manage the ongoing and increasing expenses in our parish, including, pastoral programs, insurance, wages, utility rates and church maintenance.

To ensure a regular and reliable income for the parish, we request you to make a periodic pledge either, weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Your considered financial gift will make an enormous difference to continuing the work the parish.

For Parish Planned Giving or to donate, click here.

St Peter’s Linton

On Sunday, May 31, 2015 the Parish of Linton celebrated two very significant anniversaries.  The first was the Centenary of St Peter’s Catholic Church (1915 – 2015) and the second was the 140th year of the Linton/Smythesdale Parish (1875 – 2015).   It was with great joy that more than 150 past and present parishioners joined together in Mass led by Bishop Paul Bird and concelebrated by Frs John Keane, Bill Melican, James Kerr, Anthony Nagothu and George Areeckal.  Fittingly, St Peter’s was full to capacity with many standing in the aisles.

Following Mass Bishop Paul blessed and unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion.  The forecast rain held out just in time for some official photos and then all moved on to the Linton Recreation Reserve for lunch and much reminiscing.  Photo boards around the room prompted many stories to be told, whilst parishioners old and new shared memorabilia and stories from the rich history. Both young and old enjoyed the celebrations.

John Kennedy, who was instrumental in the organisation of the celebration and a fourth generation parishioner, was MC for the occasion and offered a concise and informative history of the parish.  Former parishioners, Rod and Greg O’Bierne, spoke fondly of their family’s long association with the many priests who dedicated their lives to the parishioners of St Peter’s.  They recounted the Redemptorist missions and the Mercy nuns who nourished the spiritual lives of families for decades.  Fr Bill Melican entertained with a few memories of his time as a curate in the parish.

After the many years of outstanding service of Fr John Keane, the parishioners express their gratitude to Frs Justin Driscoll, Anthony Nagothu and James Kerr for their on-going support of the Linton Parish.

From 2019 –  January 2021, Fr Kevin Maloney, Vicar General, was the Linton Parish Priest.

On January 15, 2021, Fr Eugene McKinnon began his appointment as the Linton Parish Priest and retired on April 9, 2024.

On April 10, 2024 the ministry district of Linton, Redan and Sebastopol began.  Fr Concord Bagaoisan OSJ was appointed as Parish Priest and Fr Eladio Lizada OSJ as Assistant Priest.

St Aloysius, Redan

St Aloysius Parish in Redan, was established as a Parish in 1973 but began life as a parish community in approximately 1914 when the Church was built.  Soon after the local St Aloysius Parish School was built.  The Redan Catholic Community has developed a strong identity over the years.  Since the 1990’s, Delacombe to the west of Redan has seen vast residential development and now is a integral part of the St Aloysius Parish.  A second parish school, Lumen Christi was established in Delacombe in 1990.

St James’, Sebastopol

The Parish of St James’ Sebastopol was established in 1963.  Prior to this, Catholics in the area were ministered to by priests from St Patrick’s Cathedral who celebrated Mass and the Sacraments in the Chapel at St Joseph’s Home (Nazareth House).  With much generosity and hard work, the presbytery was furnished, land bought and the Church finally completed, blessed and opened in 1968.

Fr John Smith was the first Parish Priest.  John Bylsma & Sons were the builders and Mr Tony Rieter was the designer – two of the many new Catholic arrivals from other countries who made their homes in Sebastopol in that period.  In response to the growing number of newly arrived families, mainly of Dutch and Polish origin, St James’ School had already been built, blessed and opened in 1956, staffed by Sisters of Mercy, Ballarat East.

The parish and school communities have continued to grow and the buildings have seen a number of changes and refurbishment over the years.  In 1996 the Catholic community of St Patrick’s Rokewood formally became part of the St James’ Parish, Sebastopol, when Cressy Parish closed.  We give thanks to God for the faith, foresight, generosity and hard work of all those who have contributed to the physical and spiritual growth of our Parish Community.

The community of St Patrick’s, Rokewood celebrated their final Mass in November 2020.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Please click here for Sacramental Program 2025

Please click here for Confirmation Program & Registration 2024