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Events

• St Francis Xavier Church Rebuild 50th Anniversary
  St Francis Xavier Church, Saturday 10th June 2023
  
  Parishioners celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the rebuild of St Francis Xavier Church with a special Mass with Bishop Michael Dooley leading the celebrations. » Photos
   
• Hills Suburbs Pastoral Area Fundraising Concert
  St Francis Xavier Church, Wednesday 7 November 2018
  
  The Hills Suburbs Pastoral Area celebrated a fantastic evening of song and dance performances to help raise funds for the Pastoral Area. Over $2,000 was raised and performances included a guitar group from St Mary's School and all the pupils from the school singing a rousing rendition of Alleluia. St Francis Xavier School performances included a Ukelele recital, a Polyfest performance, a choir of girls singing the classic Abba hit Mama Mia, and a beautiful performance of the Ed Sheeran hit "Perfect" by the Ryan sisters.
  
  Cultural performances to celebrate the diverse cultures we have within the three Hills Suburbs Parishes included the amazing Filipino group providing song and dance performances that had everyone up dancing! Another great hit with the large audience was the lively Tongan group dance performances in their traditional costumes. The accomplished music group from St Francis Xavier - Xavier Notes - thrilled the crowd with their guitar playing and the solo by Rancel & Matilda singing a Michael Jackson classic was just magical! The Xavier Notes founder Mary Fitzgibbon concluded their set with a wonderfully humorous poem recital.
  
  Last, but certainly not least, was the talented Trevor Graham on guitar with a fitting conclusion to the evening with some rousing hits that had everyone in the audience singing along. Trevor was one of the main orgaisers for the concert and he and his helpers put together an amazing night's fun for all to enjoy. Father Fredy sang a beautiful blessing to finish the night in the true spirit of our Hills Suburbs Pastoral Area Parishes. » Photos
   
• Introducing Father Fredy Permentilla
  17th February 2018
  
  MSP Congregation/Order:
  Mission Society of the Philippines Ordination: June 18, 2011
  Nationality: Filipino
  Age: 39 years old
  Mission Assignments:
  Archdiocese of Seoul (South Korea) Student (Overseas Training Program) 2007-2009
  Archdiocese of Cebu (Philippines) Assistant Priest 2011-2012
  Diocese of Dunedin (New Zealand) Administrator (Te Anau) 2012
  Assistant Priest (Gore) 2013-2017
  Parish Priest (Hill Suburbs) 2018-present Chaplain (Filipino Community)
  
  From 5th February we welcome Father Fredy Permentilla as our new Parish Priest and Father Michael Hishon as Chaplain of the Hill Suburbs Hospitals and Rest Homes.
   
• Farewell Father Cipriano & Welcome Father Fredy Permentilla
  4th February 2018
  
  This week we farewell Father Cipriano as he leaves for his new post in Queenstown. There will be a farewell at St Francis Xavier after the 9.30am Mass.
  From 5th February we welcome Father Fredy Permentilla as our new Parish Priest and Father Michael Hishon as Chaplain of the Hill Suburbs Hospitals and Rest Homes.
   
• Pentecost Sunday Celebrations
  St Joseph's Brockville, Sunday 8 June 2014
  
  The Hills Suburbs Pastoral Area celebrated a great Pentecost Sunday with a combined Pastoral Area Mass at St Joseph's Brockville parish. To celebrate the cultural diversity in our parishes the Prayers of the Faithful were read in different languages by parishioners in costume from their native country. These included Swedish, Korean, Mexican, Indian, Tongan and Maltese. Bishop Len Boyle helped Father Cipriano celebrate the Mass and the music group featuring Trevor Graham and Myles White on guitar provided the wonderful music. We were also treated to the beautiful singing from the Philipino and Tongan communities during offertory and communion.
  
  At the end of Mass a special presentation was made to Carol Burns for her incredible ministry of 30 years as house keeper for the Presbytery at St Marys Kaikorai. Mary was presented with a framed Papal Blessing from the Vatican by Bishop Len and Fr Cipriano. Amazing effort Carol, congratulations!
  
  After the Mass parishioners had a pot luck lunch and a cuppa in the main hall of the Little Sisters of the Poor rest home. A fantastic day for all involved and great to see the parishioners getting in to the spirit of the occasion. » Photos
   
• St Mary's Kaikorai Church Centennial
  Labour Weekend, 19-21 October 2012
  
  The centennial of Kaikorai's St Mary's Church was celebrated at Labour Weekend with a gala, dinner and Mass. The Taieri Rd building was blessed and opened on December 8 1912 and dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. One hundred years later 160 former parishioners, ex-pupils and staff of St Mary's School celebrated this milestone event. For the full story of the centennial celebrations check out the November issue of The Tablet. » Photos
   
• St Francis Xavier First Communion
  Sunday 25 September 2011
  St Francis Xavier Parish, Mornington
  
  Twelve children from St Francis Xavier Parish received their First Communion today. Fr Ciprian celebrated the Mass with parents, family and friends filling the Church to make it a very special occasion. The Hill Suburbs singing group, led by guitarist Myles White from St Mary's Kaikorai, were in superb voice to add to the atmosphere. After the Mass everyone enjoyed light refreshments in the Parish Centre. » Photos
   
• St Francis Xavier Confirmation
  Sunday 4 September 2011
  St Francis Xavier Parish, Mornington
  
  Eleven children from St Francis Xavier Parish received the sacrament of Confirmation today. Bishop Colin Campbell and Fr Ciprian celebrated the Mass with parents, family and friends making it a memorable occasion. The Hill Suburbs singing group, led by guitarists Myles White from St Mary's Kaikorai, and Trevor Graham from St Joseph's Brockville, were in superb voice to add to the occasion. After the Mass everyone enjoyed a cuppa and some delicous food in the Parish Centre. » Photos
   
• Combined Pastoral Area Mass - Sunday 14 August 2011
  Snow and bitterly cold couldn't keep us away as parishioners from the three hill suburbs parishes came together for a combined mass at St Francis Xavier. Fr Cipriano used the occassion to celebrate the Feast of Assumption with a statue of Mary placed at the foot of the alter with candles around it. Children placed flowers at the foot of the statue as well.
  
  The Hill Suburbs Music Group, led by Miles White and Trevor Graham on guitar, were in fine voice, as were the members of the St Mary's Tongan community with their beautiful singing before the start of the mass and during communion.
  
  After the mass parishioners enjoyed a cup of tea and some scrummy baking in the parish centre. A great opportunity to mix with parishioners from the three parishes and we look forward to the next combined event - possibly a Christmas function early December.
   
• Seniors Group Bus Trip to Carey's Bay and Orakanui Ecosanctuary
  Thursday 11 November 2010
  
  A great turnout of parishioners enjoyed a scrumptous lunch at the historic Carey's Bay Hotel before venturing on to the amazing Orakanui Ecosanctuary. Check out some highlights from the very successful day trip. » Photos
   
• Hill Suburbs Pastoral Area Mid Winter Dinner
  Saturday 3 July 2010, 7.00pm
  Little Sisters of the Poor, Brockville
  
  A fantastic night out and enjoyed by all. A huge thank you to the many people who helped organise the night and set the hall up with tables and decorations - especially the very kind Sisters who worked tirelessly throughout the night and Trevor Graham for his superb performance on the guitar that had everyone singing along. » Photos
  
  Check out all the photos here or click on the link to the Photo Gallery on the left.

For general enquiries please contacthillsuburbspa@gmail.com