OUR HISTORY
Although the first Catholic mass in Warrandyte was celebrated in 1898 and in Park Orchards at the Park Orchards Chalet in 1965, it was not until June 28, 1970 that St Gerard’s and St Anne’s was officially declared a parish. St Gerard’s Church was built in Warrandyte in 1976 while St Anne’s School and Catholic Church were opened in 1980. Throughout the development of this parish, there has been a remarkable contribution of people working together in so many ways. The centre or heart of our parish is the gathering for Eucharist each Sunday. Much of our life is celebrated during this liturgy and flows from it. We look to a future where we become ever more fully a parish community who can claim as its motto:
"Reaching out in prayer, hospitality and action.”
OUR PATRON SAINTS
ST ANNE is the wife of Joachim and mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus. Her name means"grace" or "the gracious one" or "the loving one." Her feast day is the 26th July. She is the Patron Saint of grandparents, housewives, pregnant women and women in labour
ST GERARD Majella was born at Muro, Italy, in 1726 and joined the Redemptorists at the age of 23, becoming a professed lay brother in 1752. He served as sacristan, gardener, porter, infirmarian, and tailor. However, because of his great piety, extraordinary wisdom, and his gift of reading consciences, he was permitted to counsel communities of religious women. This great saint is invoked as a patron of expectant mothers as a result of a miracle effected through his prayers for a woman in labor. His feast day is the 16th October. He is the Patron Saint of mothers.