On 25^th November 1899 St Brigid’s Healesville was formally established as an independent parish. Over the past 125 years the parish has sought to serve the faith and pastoral needs of Catholics throughout the Yarra Valley. In due course the churches of St Aloysius, Yarra Glen and Our Lady of the Snows, Marysville were built to serve the needs of local parishioners of this geographically vast parish. 
 
As is true of all human history, the parish has had its highs and lows over the past 125 years. It has braved periods of economic hardship and devastating bush fires; it has seen the establishment of St Brigid’s parish primary school, an array of parish sodalities and charities,  and congregations of religious sisters come and go; and tragically, it has endured the agonising betrayal from those who were supposed to be her shepherds but turned out to be ravenous wolves. While acknowledging the wrongs of the past we should not also fail to acknowledge the achievements and countless graces that have come to the people of God through those who have served in this parish: clergy, religious and laity alike. So many sacrifices, so many hours of volunteered time and resources, so many generous contributions over so many years. The churches of this parish, the presbytery and hall were all largely build by the hands of local parishioners from their contributions, building up a patrimony of which we continue to be the beneficiaries. Only God knows the sum of good that has been done by the good people of this parish over the years, and great will be their reward. 
 
I take this opportunity to thank the parishioners of St Brigid’s, St Aloysius and Our Lady of the Snows for their generous support of the parish and to acknowledge the good done by so many ‘cheerful givers’. In taking stock of this parish’s history and achievements we don’t only want to look back to the past; we also look forward to the future. My prayer and my hope is that together we can continue to build up a community of faith in Jesus Christ, united by our love of God and neighbour, so that for generations to come the love of Christ our King will be made known.
 
Finally I want to thank all those who worked so hard to prepare for this weekend’s celebrations, particularly those in the pastoral council who were instrumental in coordinating the preparations: Joy Bellizia, Luke Houlihan, Maree Jeffcott, James Nolet, Jack McGrath, Celestine Hanley and Josh Tilley. Thanks also to organist and choir director, Baltazar Kurowski, and the student choir from Harkaway Hills College who have so generously donated their time to enrich our Mass with their beautiful music and singing. Thanks to Una Hanley for arranging the beautiful flowers for the church. And lastly, thanks to all those who will have prepared and served the lunch for the day. A tremendous effort! 
 
I wish you and your families abundant blessings on this milestone for the parish!
 
St Brigid, St Aloysius and Our Lady of the Snows, pray for us!