Fr. Joseph's Message
As we enter the final week of Christmas Time, we prepare to begin Ordinary Time next Sunday with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. This coming week will also be my final week serving as Parish Priest and providing pastoral care in our community. My ministry here will officially conclude next Sunday, 11 January 2026. Fr Thang Vu, our new Parish Priest, together with his assistant, Fr Huy Nguyen, will then assume pastoral leadership and care for the parish.
I would like to take this opportunity to first thank God for calling me to serve in this parish over the past eight years, and for the abundant blessings He has poured out during this time. These years have been both challenging and deeply rewarding. It has been a wonderful and memorable journey working alongside all of you as we continue to build up our parish community—one that already stands on a strong foundation of faith and love. I am deeply touched by your faith, generosity, kindness, and love toward me and all the friars over the past 50 years. I am truly grateful. I will miss these gifts you have so freely shared. You have become an important part of my Franciscan and priestly vocation journey, and I carry that with me with great appreciation.
It is not easy to leave this place after completing our pastoral care here for so many years, carrying with us countless memories and the well‑loved Franciscan traditions and values that have shaped this community.
I am deeply grateful for all our friars—past and present—who have contributed to the life of this parish. Their dedication and service have helped form the community we cherish today. We will miss this deeply.
We trust in God’s loving providence as we move into the future with faith and hope, confident that our community will continue to grow in its witness to Christ our Saviour. Please welcome our new Parish Priest and his assistant with the same warmth and generosity you have always shown. Work collaboratively with them in all things, giving glory to God through your unity and service. I am certain you will come to love and support them just as you have loved and supported us.
In these early days of the New Year, I wish each of you a peaceful and joyful year ahead.
Fr. Joseph Nguyen OFMConv.
05 January 2026
National Child Protection Week 2025
(7 to 13 September)
Safeguarding Sunday 2025
(16 November)
Child Protection Week is a national campaign held each year to raise awareness of child abuse prevention in our communities. 2025 Theme: “EVERY CONVERSATION MATTERS – SHIFTING CONVERSATION TO ACTION”.
What is a jubilee? Jubilee years are a time of newness. They have been celebrated throughout the history of the Church, but their roots go back to the Old Testament, when the Israelites were commanded to celebrate a jubilee every 50 years. Beginning with the blowing of a ram’s horn-the yobel, from which the word jubilee comes-on the Day of Atonement, it was meant to be a kind of ‘reset’ or ‘refresh’ for their relationship with God and with each other. Debts would be forgiven, misappropriated land returned, slaves freed, and the land given rest. It was a stark and dramatic reminder for the ancient Israelites that nothing was absolutely theirs-not even the Promised Land. The Israelites were to live as if everything was a grace and blessing from the God who brought them out of Egypt.
Building Bridges to Heaven
Empowered by the Holy Spirit and dedicated to helping others
We are a vibrant, welcoming, diverse and multicultural Roman Catholic Community in the South-Eastern in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, located in Springvale, Victoria. Our commitment is drawn from and inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel.
Caring and Supportive
Welcome to our child safe Parish of St. Joseph's and St. Mark's Churches. We are committed to the safety, wellbeing and dignity of all children, young people and adults at risk. We take our moral and legal obligations seriously and commit to zero tolerance of all forms of abuse.
Welcoming and Prayerful Community
We are a welcoming, prayerful community that expresses love for God and our neighbour by:
★ Celebrating a joyous and fruitful liturgy and sacraments.
★ Enhancing the spiritual development in all stages of lives.
★ Supporting the variety of needs in the community.
Celebrate the sacramental life of the church
We are disciples of Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ came to reveal the fullness of God’s love for us, and we continue to celebrate that love through praise, sacraments, service, and community.
Celebrate the sacramental life of the church
We are disciples of Jesus
The Church Ministries
Loving God, Loving Others, Loving Life
