Holy Trinity Parish came into being on March 1st 1964, in an area which had been part of the Parishes of Bayswater, Bedford and Morley. Embleton was the smallest district in the metropolitan area and had been developed by the State Housing Commission between 1956 and 1962 to house, mainly immigrants from post-war Europe. Today there is a good mix of nationalities from all over Europe, Africa, Americas and Asia and our Parish boasts over 20 nationalities and ethnicity.
1964 - 1968: Rev Fr Jeremiah McNamara
Holy Trinity’s first priest Fr Jeremiah McNamara had the difficult job of bringing parishioners from other nearby parishes. His charisma and zeal for his work gained him the love and respect of all who came into contact with him. His early death in March 1968 was a great loss, not only to Embleton but to the Diocese as a whole.
The church services were conducted in the school building which now is used as the parish hall.
1968 – 1970: Rev Fr Peter Van OssD
ue to the untimely demise of Fr Jeremiah McNamara, Fr Peter van Oss, a tall Dutchman, took over shepherding the community as locum tenens, until Fr Leo Leunig taken over the charge. He was well-remembered for dressing up as Saint Nicholas at a children's Christmas Party, wearing a tall purple mitre and frightening the children.
1970 – 1978: Rev Fr Leo Leunig
Planning for a new Parish Church began in 1970, with Messrs Mazak, Seagar & Associates, chosen as architects and Bianchini & Sons as builders. The plans were simple but a few features were spectacular.
A Trinity stained glass window above the altar was designed by Mr Ken Wildy and executed by Gower, Brown & Wildy. It features the creative hand of God for the Father, the chalice and host (with a cross) for the Son and the dove and tongues of fire for the Holy Spirit. It is beautiful, with vibrant colours and hasn't faded in 45 years. Another feature of note is the cross and crucifix behind the altar. The centre piece is an icon of the triumphant Jesus, that used to belong to the late Fr McNamara and was mounted upon a large wooden cross made by one of our parishioners Alf Lavell. Relics of bone from Saints Prudencius and Irentis, which were presented to Fr McNamara at his ordination, were also entombed in the altar at the consecration.
Construction began in 1973 and completed in December of the same year. The solemn Dedication and Opening of the new Church building and the Consecration of the altar took place on Wednesday 12th December 1973 with His Grace, the Archbishop Rev. Lancelot Goody and 12 priests from different Parishes concelebrating. It is noted that one of the priests was Fr Barry Hickey (who was commissioned later on as Archbishop of Perth) from the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau. After the consecration, the congregation celebrated the first Mass in the new Holy Trinity Church of Embleton. It was around this time that the Planned Giving Program started, now that the Parish had a debt.
Shortly after the building of the church, the Knights of the Southern Cross bought an acre of Church land in which to build housing units. After this a Presbytery was built just near the Church.
George Jacob, a Burmese migrant parishioner approached Fr Leunig about building a Grotto to Our Lady and work started in 1975. Alf Lavell was the designer and principal builder and the Burmese community raised money so that the cost would not be a burden on the other parishioners. The Grotto was built with Toodyay stone and many people worked to bring the dream to reality. The sculptor Philip Somers was commissioned to create a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and he made it from fibreglass for the sum of $600. On Sunday 16th May 1976, after the 9am Mass, the statue was mounted on a float and carried in procession around the church and then installed in the new Grotto. Over the years many improvements have been made to the Grotto and the surrounds. Firstly, a smaller statue of Saint Bernadette was added, then wrought iron gates to protect at night, then a wall columbarium for interring the ashes of deceased parishioners. Shrubbery has also been planted around.
In 1977 a meeting of parishioners was called to discuss the finances of the church and a social committee and a finance committee were formed. Our Parish debt was large and the weekly offering collection did not cover our expenses. The committees pledged themselves to lessen the Parish debt by various fund-raising means which were very successful. Functions such as International dinners, cake stalls, raffles and bingo were all enjoyed by everyone.
1978 – 1986: Rev Fr Denis LenihanIn
1978, Fr Denis Lenihan has taken charge as the new Parish priest. He was warmly welcomed by the parishioners and with his lovely Irish accent and eagerness to help the parish pay off the Parish debt. He worked well with the social committee in fund-raising and by the time he retired in 1986, the $70,000 debt that he had inherited was paid off. When he arrived in Embleton, the parish only had one acolyte, but when he retired there were nine, so the Parish was spiritually grown to one’s expectations. When Fr Lenihan retired, he moved into one of the units built in the same premises. The retired priests who live in these units today are still a large part of the Holy Trinity family. He used to say the 7.30am Sunday morning Mass and several of the "oldies" used to prefer this Mass as they were used to getting up early.
1983 was the first year of our now Annual Novena to Our Lady of Good Health of Vailannkanni which was introduced by George Jacob with the Blessing of Fr Lenihan. There were nine days of Prayer, Rosary, Litany, a Homily and Benediction starting on the 30th August and then on the 8th September the whole congregation of devotees processed through the streets bearing candles and saying the Rosary to reach the Grotto. After the visiting priest Fr Joseph Fernandez from Burma, closed the Novena, everyone retired to the hall for an evening of music and feasting to celebrate Our Lady's birthday. The Parish have been hosting this Novena every year now without break. This event has put Embleton on the map as hundreds of devotees travel from other parts of WA to this small Parish.
1987: Rev Fr Charles Tory
The next Parish Priest, Fr Charles Tory led the Paris for one year in Embleton, but was remembered as a gentle man who gave memorable homilies. One Parishioner said that she always felt that he was talking straight to her. He introduced a program called Opening Doors, where parishioners would meet together once a week with the Parish Priest and talk about faith.
1988 – 1992: Rev Fr Brian O’Loughlin
In 1988, Fr Brian O'Loughlin was installed as the Parish Priest on May 28th by His Grace Archbishop William Foley. Fr O'Loughlin was on the Marriage Tribunal, so the Archbishop thanked the parish for sharing him with that Tribunal. Fr O'Loughlin fitted in to the Parish very well and he soon set his stamp on our Church. He will always be remembered for obtaining the beautiful marble altar, with the carved "Last Supper" on the front, and the marble font. Later the sisters from St John of God convent in Subiaco gave the parish six beautiful old stained glass windows which were incorporated in various walls of the Church. Father O'Loughlin also had a huge metal cross erected outside, between the church and the grotto, which can be seen from streets away. The cross was on the original plans for the church but couldn't be afforded at the time.
On 1st March of 1989 the Silver Jubilee as a Parish was celebrated. The Parishioners felt that they were no longer infants but had 25 years of maturity under their belts. Planning for the event started the year before with a dedicated Silver Jubilee Committee. At the Mass Archbishop Foley concelebrated with eight other priests, including Fr O'Loughlin and Fr Lenihan, who were still living in the retirement units in the premises. It was a wonderful night and the church was packed. After Mass the parishioners assembled in the hall for supper and a huge Anniversary cake was shared.
Fr O’Loughlin had a very persuasive personality and if he rang up and needed a job done, one dropped everything willingly to complete the task assigned. He left the parish in 1992 and was given a really big send-off. In later years he became Monsignor O'Loughlin in recognition of his meritorious service.
1993 – 1994: Rev Fr Vincent Glynn
Once again the parish had a Parish Priest for only a short time. Fr Vincent Glynn was serving the community from 1993 to 1994. He was the youngest priest that the parish ever had and was very popular, especially with the older ladies! He had spent many years studying in Rome and could speak Italian fluently. He told the members many amusing stories of his time in Rome, when tourists assumed that he was a native Roman. He was a very caring young man and he was sadly missed when he left. In later years he had gone from strength to strength and became a senior lecturer in Sacramental Theology and also the editor of the Liturgical handbook.
1994 – 2000: Rev Fr Francis Ughanze
The arrival of Fr Ughanze in 1994 caused quite a stir. He was from Nigeria and was the very first African priest to the parish. He was very dark skinned and always wore white tracksuits and smiled a lot as he didn't want to be run over at night when he went for his walk. He was the first priest at Holy Trinity to be called by his first name, Fr Francis. All the young boys loved his hair style. His homilies were very interesting and sometimes meandering but always came back to the point. From the first, he made a huge impact on the youth of the Parish and more and more people returned to the church. At Christmas and Easter it was standing room only as the church was packed with people wanting to see the re-enactments of the Nativity or the Passion of Christ. When the nails were driven into the hands and feet of "Jesus", there wasn't a dry eye in the church. The youth Masses every month were spectacular and Father Francis inspired many of our youth to attend the World Youth Days in various countries, for which we had many fund-raising functions. Fr Francis holds a special place in the hearts of many parishioners and he is often seen back here conducting a Baptism, Wedding or a Funeral for old friends.
2000 – 2004: Rev Fr Blasco Fonseca
Fr Blasco arrived at Holy Trinity in 2000 and was definitely a people person, throwing himself into Parish life with enthusiasm. He loved to dance and sing and was always the life of a party. His homilies were brilliant and thought-provoking. He loved our Novena to Our Lady of Vailannkanni and also the Annual Parish Fete. He also had a good memory for faces and names, even after one meeting.
On February 21st 2002, Fr Blasco and three Parishioners were invited, as representatives of Holy Trinity, to the ordination of Fr Don Sproxton (an old Embleton boy). It was a great experience watching all the priests of Perth processing into St Mary's Cathedral.
In October 2002, the parish celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Social Committee, with a Mass and a big party in the hall afterwards. The committee had invited past parishioners and members of the first social committee and it was great occasion for the group – the old and the new. Fr Blasco celebrated his 60th birthday the same night so he really let his hair down and danced as well as singing a solo. George Jacob obtained a Papal Blessing for our Silver Jubilee. In October 2003 the parish held the largest fund-raising event in their history. Over 150 people squeezed into the hall for a dinner/dance social and we raised $1,500 for missions in Burma, Vietnam and Kenya. The function ran out of chairs.
Fr Blasco certainly made his mark on the Parish and he was given a big farewell by the parish.
2004 – 2008: Monsignor Peter McCrann
The parish was under the stewardship of Monsignor McCrann for the next four years. He was well past his retirement age and had been a banker before becoming a priest at a mature age of 34. During his time at Embleton he turned 80 and the parish celebrated this occasion. He got very emotional and said that he had never had a birthday party before. In July 2007, he celebrated his 50th year of ordination and the parish members went out to give him a Golden Jubilee to remember. Sister Pat Hogan, our resident Nun, and Jackie Marrapodi searched all the Diocese archives and all the old Records and collected as much information as possible on Monsignor McCrann and made up a large album ‘This is Your Life’. Many of his friends in the priesthood, his family, and others were been invited for a mass and celebration. Archbishop Hickey concelebrated the mass and during the wonderful party, Monsignor was presented the ‘This is Your Life’ album. He was so joyous that he carried it round with him all night.
In September of 2007, Monsignor was away for a while and Fr Aloysius was taking care of the Parish during this time.
In November 2008, Monsignor had a serious car accident while going to the aid of a parishioner who had run out of petrol on Tonkin Highway. He broke his collar bone and was in hospital for a while. He couldn't return to his duties so it was decided he would have to go to the Little Sisters of the Poor to recover. Meanwhile Father Emil Ciecierega was helping out with Masses in the Parish.
On 7th December 2008, the parish held a combined Christmas and farewell party for Monsignor and it was announced that Fr Emil would be the new Parish Priest commencing in the New Year. Fr Babinski filled in until Fr Emil took over. The Parish received a beautiful letter of thanks from Monsignor's family.
2009 – 2012: Rev Fr Emil Ciecierega
Fr Emil loved music and singing and was of Polish decent. He had a lovely singing voice and at Christmas always sang carols in Polish. He also played the guitar and formed a trio called the Three Tenors with two male parishioners. Many Polish people joined the congregation to be able to speak to a priest in their native tongue. On one of his trips to his homeland, he ordered a large brass bell to be hung outside the church. It finally arrived from Poland, beautifully inscribed, and had to have a special mounting made for it as it was so heavy. After it was blessed and installed, it was programmed to ring the Angelus at 12 noon every day and 15 minutes before all Masses. It is now part of Holy Trinity and everyone loves hearing the bell calling us to prayer.
Fr Emil was doubling as the Chaplain for the Aboriginal Community of Embleton. They have been having Masses for many years and they used to be held on Sunday evenings at 5pm but with Fr Emil, Masses were changed to 11am on Sunday morning. Sometimes on occasions (like Naidoc week or Holy Trinity Sunday) a combined 10am Mass is celebrated with the Aboriginal community and a meal is shared afterwards. Sometimes the Mass was celebrated in open air.
Fr Emil eventually became the full time Chaplain for the Aboriginal Community and relinquished his role as Parish Priest, moved out of the Presbytery and into one of the units in the premises. The parish fare-welled him in true Holy Trinity tradition.
2012 – 2014: Rev Fr Ossie Lewis
Fr Ossie Lewis came to Embleton in 2012 and introduced some new ideas. His homilies were short and to the point and he was always punctual with everything. He loved children and at the end of Mass, always called the children up to the front for a Blessing and a sticker saying something like Jesus Loves You. This has become a tradition in Embleton and other parish priests followed him. He left the parish in February 2014 after a farewell party.
2014 – 2018: Rev Fr Joseph Rathnaraj
Fr Joseph Rathnaraj began his Ministry at Holy Trinity on 9th February 2014 and was inducted by Bishop Don Sproxton on 15th March 2014.
It was a very busy year for Fr Joseph as it was the year of our Golden Jubilee as a Parish, but he took it in his stride. Planning had already started everyone wanted it to be a very special occasion. Emeritus Archbishop Hickey was invited to preside, with Fathers Joseph and Trevor concelebrating. The Golden Jubilee was celebrated on Holy Trinity Sunday 15th June 2014.
Fr Joseph was very interested in helping the needy and in August 2014. He requested a parishioner, Rosanna, to organize a fund-raising morning tea to help an orphanage in India called Bethany Children's Home, which was struggling financially. The ladies cooked and raised $2,000 for the orphanage and again in May 2016 raised another $1,900.
In August 2015, Fr Joseph invited a group from the Neocatechumenal Way to come to the church and give adult catechesis to any interested parishioners. The talks lasted for eight weeks and at the end ten people joined the group, meeting in the hall on Saturday nights to celebrate the Eucharist. Unfortunately for Embleton, because of the small size of the group, in 2017 the local members had to join with St Kieran's community. Saturday mornings were very enjoyable at Holy Trinity. Fr Joseph hosted morning tea in the Presbytery for all the helpers that worked in the church that morning - Sacristan Joan Bestwick, her helper, the flower arrangers, cleaners, bulletin editor, gardener and anyone else who turned up.