[vc_row el_class=”vc-col-no-pt”][vc_column width=”2/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][g5element_space spacing=”95″ spacing_sm=”55″ desktop=”50″ tablet=”50″ tablet_portrait=”40″ mobile_landscape=”40″ mobile=”30″][g5element_heading layout_style=”style-02″ title=”Our Parish Churches” icon_type=”icon” icon_font=””][vc_column_text]Our Parish Churches
Corio Lara Parish was founded in 1974, growing out of St Thomas’ Norlane. St Francis Xavier Church Corio was built in 1978 and the present-day St Anthony of Padua Church Lara was built in 1993. While the two have always been linked as a single parish, each church developed and maintains a distinct character with its ethnic and socio-economic diversity.
[Photo of each church]
The Parish Boundary
[Map image][/vc_column_text][g5element_heading layout_style=”style-02″ title=”St Francis Xavier, Corio & St Anthony of Padua, Lara.” icon_type=”icon” icon_font=”” responsive=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text responsive=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”]Founded in 1976, this parish has been nurtured by several devoted priests. The inaugural Parish Priest, Fr. Ron Lowe (1976-1988), previously a mechanic and Catholic convert, implemented significant infrastructural projects including St. Francis Xavier School and Church, and St. Anthony’s School.
He was followed by assistant priests Fr. Peter Molenaar, a Dutch chaplain, and Fr. Peter Priestley, known for his passion for planes, trains, and snakes, and his role in parish renewal programs. Fr. Peter Murphy bridged the transition from Lowe to Fr. Denis Minogue.
Fr. Minogue, from the Airport West Cluster, served as the second Parish Priest, notable for his executive roles in the VCSA and National Council of Priests, and his contribution to constructing the Parish Centre at Lara.
Other notable priests include Fr. Peter Wilson, a dentist who served street kids; Fr. Michael Moody, known for his Harley motorbike; Fr. Arnold Heredia, the Priest in Residence; and Fr. John Healy, whose enthusiasm rejuvenated the parish spirit and led to the construction of the Xavier Centre.
The parish currently welcomes Fr. Johnny Joseph MST, an Indian priest with a teaching background. Seminarian Franco Cavarra, an Opera Musical Director, also notably served during his diaconate year.[/vc_column_text][g5element_space spacing=”30″ desktop=”50″ tablet=”50″ tablet_portrait=”40″ mobile_landscape=”40″ mobile=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][g5element_heading layout_style=”style-02″ title=”St Francis Xavier” icon_type=”icon” icon_font=””][vc_single_image image=”7983″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][g5element_space spacing=”30″ desktop=”50″ tablet=”50″ tablet_portrait=”40″ mobile_landscape=”40″ mobile=”30″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRvI9iYVcRU&t=2s” align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][g5element_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]