WELCOME TO THE PARK AVENUE PARISH

WHAT'S OUR MISSION?

Filled with the Spirit of Christ, we live out the call of Baptism, through our personal faith, worship and prayer, the sharing of our given gifts and demonstrating the love of God to each other.

WHO ARE WE?

Park Avenue Parish is one of four parishes in the North Rockhampton/Capricorn Coast area.

Our parish covers a large geographical area with the main centre being Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Park Avenue. We also administer the communities of St. Lawrence, Marlborough, Clarke Creek and The Caves.

The parish is based in a working class area made up of low to middle income families. It is an older suburb of Rockhampton hence we have a range of age groups, extending from young families to our treasured older parishioners. Those who live in Park Avenue would consider themselves to be handy to the central business district, shopping centres, primary and secondary schools.

Our neighbouring Catholic primary school is St Joseph's, which was founded in 1929 by the Sisters of St Joseph. We have nearby, Emmaus Secondary College which emerged from an amalgamation of Marian College for girls and St Stanislaus College for boys.

There has always been a strong sense of community in Park Avenue. For many our grandparents, parents, children and grand-children have grown up, worshipped, received their education, married and settled nearby. For those who have moved on, there is a customary remark that they love to return and hear what is happening in the "Avenue".

For those who move into our Parish, they embrace the welcome that is extended. Like many close communities we have a common saying "we are Park Avenue-ites, we stick together".

WHAT'S OUR HISTORY?

Prior to 1924 the people of Park Avenue had to journey to either St Joseph's Catherdral or St. Mary's (North Rockhampton) to celebrate Mass.

In January 1924 our first church, The Church of the Epiphany, was opened. It cost the parishioners 750 pounds. It was in 1938 that this church was enlarged and altered, and it was not until 1942 that we got our very own Parish Priest.

Unfortunately a cyclone hit Rockhampton in 1949 and the building was structurally weakened. Again a tremendous effort to rebuild a Church was made with the result that in June 1952 the new Our Lady Help of Christians Church was opened. In the 1980's the Church was extended to the bigger, airy place of worship we have today.

We have been blessed with many remarkable Priests, Sisters and Parishioners over the years to make our Church what it is today. Those people have endured much hard work, worry and perseverance.

BAPTISMS
Baptisms are held every 2nd and 3rd Sunday of the month, please contact the parish office for further information.

MARRIAGES
Marriages are by appointment with 6 months notice, please contact the parish office for further information.

SACRAMENTS (Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation)
Programs are run annually for these Sacraments, please contact the parish office for further information