St Alipius – A History

Our story is a story of people, rather than buildings and dates, although it is important that we acknowledge these. It is the story of a people who have been brought together in faith and love.

St Alipius Parish has its beginnings in the Ballarat “Gold Rush” that started in August 1851. As thousands of people made their way to the diggings and a town quickly took shape, Father Patrick Dunne celebrated the first Mass for the Catholic miners in October 1851.

In late 1852 a second priest Father Matthew Downing arrived and named his Parish after St. Alipius and the Bishop of the time, James Alipius Goold.

In February 1853 Father Downing moved to the present St. Alipius site and erected a church made of slabs with a canvas roof. A school was also built and classes began on April 1st.

(Text from : www.sovereignhillschool.vic.edu.au)

St Alipius Parish Child Safety 

St Alipius parish is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and vulnerable adults.

St Alipius Parish Child Safety Policy – click Children Young People and Vulnerable Adults Safety Policy

St Alipius Parish Commitment to Child Safety – click Children Young People and Vulnerable Adults Commitment Statement

St Alipius Code of Conduct – click Children Young People and Vulnerable Adults Code of Conduct

Catholic Schools

St. Alipius’ Parish School
St. Francis Xavier Primary School
Emmaus Catholic Primary School
Damascus College

SACRAMENTS IN OUR PARISH

We welcome inquiries for all sacraments in St. Alipius Parish.

BAPTISM

Baptism is the first of the three sacraments of initiation, the journey to full membership of the Catholic faith.  The first step in the process to having your child baptised to is attend a preparation session at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Hall.  These sessions are held on the first Thursday of each month and you can choose between 10am or 5.30 pm.  At this session you will be given an enrolment form which you are invited to submit at our parish office.  When submitting the form, you can book a date for baptism.  Baptisms are held at 10.30 am masses at St. Alipius and Ss. Peter and Paul in Buninyong.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE FIRST THURSDAY IN APRIL BEING HOLY THURSDAY, ONLY THE MORNING SESSION FOR BAPTISM PREPARATION WILL GO AHEAD.

SACRAMENTS OF CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST 2023

EUCHARIST – Term Two

Preparation for First Eucharist will begin next term with an information session for parents on Thursday April 27th.  There will be two sessions to choose from, the first beginning at 10.30 am and the second at 6pm, both at St. Alipius Church.  Attendance at one of these sessions is necessary to enrol your child in the preparation.  Please click here to enrol, if you haven’t already received an email.  Relevant dates for the sacraments are available below.

CONFIRMATION – Term Three

Important Dates for Sacraments – 2023

St Alipius Parish Booklet 

This booklet celebrates who we are and what we do as a St Alipius Parish community. We are a diverse people sustained by the faith, religious and school communities which make up our parish. It contains information on parish groups, on the faith communities of Ballarat East and Buninyong, the community of the Sisters of Mercy and it looks at Catholic Education in the parish. It focuses on liturgical ministries, the sacramental programs and the stewardship program.  It is a snapshot of the many parts of the parish.