In 2003, Kyabram celebrated the centenary of its establishment as a separate parish in the care of the Augustinians. The Catholic and Augustinian heritage predates this event with Mass being celebrated regularly in private homes from the early 1870's and the opening of the first church in the area in May 1878. From 1886 onwards the visiting priests were Augustinians from Echuca.

Parish history records establishment and relocation of church buildings in response to the needs of the growing Catholic population. The present St Augustine's Church, opened in 1911, was left incomplete and the first renovations were undertaken in 1978. In 2000, major extensions were dedicated, completing the original cruciform design and providing a more suitable environment for liturgical celebration.

The parish includes the neighbouring towns of Tongala where St Patrick's Church was built in 1909 and Merrigum, site of St Sebastian's Church opened in 1903. Mass is celebrated in Kyabram, Tongala and Merrigum Sundays and during the week. Today, the parish supports two Catholic schools, St Augustine's School in Kyabram (Years P-10) and St Patrick's Primary, Tongala.

Other parish ministries include:

• Care for those in need
• Prayer groups
• School boards
• Ecumenical initiatives

Sunday Mass times:

Kyabram: Vigil 7.00 pm
Sunday 9.00 am

Merrigum: 10.30 am (2nd and 4th Sundays)

Tongala: 10.30 am (1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays)

Parish Staff:

Fr Dave Austin OSA - Parish Priest, (resident in Echuca)
Fr Patrick Bourke
Fr Joseph Walsh (resident in Echuca)
Alma Limbrick, Pastoral Associate
Leanne Beck, Parish Secretary

Address:

PO Box 341 (63 Church St)
Kyabram VIC 3620

Telephone: (03) 5852 1026
Fax: (03) 5853 1114

Email: priory@mcmedia.com.au

A WAY TO KNOW JESUS BETTER - 'The Kyabram Stations'
By Fr Dave Austin OSA

Since its opening in April 2000, the refurbished and extended worship space in St Augustine's Church, Kyabram, with its focus on the primary liturgical symbols of altar, lectern, font and chair, has lent itself to liturgical celebration - from the weekly Sunday Eucharist to Easter Baptism in the below-ground font.

Great care has been taken in the decoration of the worship space to locate devotional objects appropriately so that they do not distract attention from the liturgy itself. For this reason, the Parish took time to make a decision about new Stations of the Cross. Being a traditional devotion, the Stations evoked some emotion from those who had prayed them for many years, particularly during Lent. Should the old Stations be put back up? The decision was no.

Early in 2001, Fr Pat Negri, a Blessed Sacrament Father from Melbourne, was commissioned to paint a new set of Stations to blend in with the new worship space. A gifted artist, Fr Pat was most at home painting abstract works. After some discussion, he agreed to paint Stations that were at least 'recognisable! The end result is quite unique.
The Kyabram Stations follow the new format of the Stations issued by Rome in 1975, all based on the Gospel account of Jesus' journey and similar to the pattern followed by the Holy Father on Good Friday. The three falls of Jesus are omitted along with Jesus' meeting with Veronica because these are not found in the Scriptures.

The paintings by Fr Pat are inspired by the works of the great masters, Leonardo, Durer, Caravaggio and Rembrandt. Each is based on a section of a classic painting and, in the artist's words, is an 'emotional response to what was seen. The Stations are the story of all those things that had happened in Jerusalem... the story of Jesus' last days on earth... also the story of each one of us.

'The recessed ash frames and cryptic titles invite us beyond the picture, to enter in faith and prayer into the events from Jesus' life depicted in the paintings. Dawn Arrest captures the drama of Judas' betrayal, Cruel Execution the horrible torture of Jesus' being nailed to the cross, Paradise Achieved the promise of eternal happiness, Now Believe Jesus' acceptance of our doubts and an invitation to faith in his Risen Presence.'

In the Artist's Dedication, Fr Pat wrote, 'These fourteen Stations of the Cross are dedicated to the people of St Augustine's Parish, Kyabram. They had the courage to commission the paintings. The Stations at Kyabram will form part of their journey of faith in the future... 'The Stations of the Cross form part of the devotional life of the church, particularly during the seasons of Lent and Holy Week. 'These small works have been painted with faith and love and are emotionally charged. The colours are strong. They are meant to move the viewer to a compassionate understanding of the suffering Jesus went through for our sake. They are also meant to console those who are experiencing suffering themselves or see it in their loved ones.'During Lent, parishioners gather weekly to pray and walk together Jesus' journey to his Death and Resurrection. For four weeks, those present focus on three stations each night, and then two on the final evening. The devotion includes reading from the Scriptures, quiet reflection time, and review of life. On the last night, having reflected on the burial and the resurrection of Jesus, we conclude with Michael Herry's hymn, Joyful in Hope. It is a special experience for all. Our Stations are a special gift and we hope they will provide a way for catechesis of youth and indeed all parishioners in reflection on Jesus' journey and the meaning of the Passion in our daily lives. Parishes which still have the traditional Way of the Cross can adapt these and the other symbols in their church to the new version of the Stations, particularly through using the booklet prepared by Fr Frank OLoughlin and published by the Office for Worship, Melbourne.

The Kyabram Stations

I 'Last Supper' - The Last Supper
II 'Dawn Arrest' - The Garden of Gethsemani
III 'Mock Trial' - Jesus before the Sanhedrin
IV 'False Judgment' - Jesus before Pilate
V 'Vicious Attack' - Jesus is whipped and crowned with thorns
VI 'Cross Accepted' - Jesus carries his Cross
VII 'Simon's Help' - Jesus is helped by the Cyrenaen
VIII 'Loving Kindness' - Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem
IX 'Cruel Execution' - Jesus is stripped and nailed to the Cross
X 'Paradise Achieved' - Jesus and the Good Thief
XI 'Mother-Son' - Jesus speaks to Mary and John
XII 'Last Breath' - Jesus dies on the Cross
XIII 'Paschal Eve' - Jesus is buried
XIV 'Now Believe' - Jesus rises from the dead

PHOTOGRAPHS

Pastoral Associate Alma Limbrick with the Stations depicting the death and burial of Jesus and his risen appearance to Thomas.

Photo B
His journey nearly over, Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, is nailed to the cross, promises the good thief a place in Paradise, and speaks with his mother Mary and disciple John

Jesus' journey begins as he is condemned by Pilate, endures being whipped and crowned, takes up his cross, and is helped by Simon of Cyrene.