ST AGNES' CATHOLIC CHURCH, HIGHETT
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
Welcome
Welcome, and thank you for visiting St Agnes' Catholic Church, Highett online. We hope that our website highlights the wide variety of worship, fellowship and service opportunities available. Please feel free to read more about our church on this site, or come in for a visit. We would love to greet you and share with you our love for Jesus Christ and for you, our neighbor.
Our Mission
We believe that the door to salvation is always open and so are the doors to our church. Our mission is to be fully devoted to Jesus by opening our arms to those in search of the truth. We show God’s love and concern for our fellow man at every opportunity. Through works of charity and opening our doors to listen and love, we feel that we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
Sacraments
The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Christian initiation is accomplished by means of the sacraments which establish the foundations of Christian life. The faithful born anew by Baptism are strengthened by Confirmation and are then nourished by the Eucharist."
Baptisms:
Are during the 6 pm Mass on Saturdays by appointment .
Enquires are to be directed to the Cheltenham Parish Office.
Mass Times
Weekend:
Saturday Vigil 6pm
Sunday 9am &11am (at OLA Church)
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Weekday:
Tuesday, Friday: 9am
Tuesday : 6 pm (at OLA church)
Wednesday, Thursday: 915 am (at OLA Church)
Saturday: 9 am (at OLA church)
Monday: 915 am Communion Service (at OLA church)
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Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Wednesday, 945 am (at OLA church)
Saturday, 930 am (at OLA church)
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Baptisms:
Contact the Parish Office: 9583 6161
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Weddings:
By appointment, 6 months notice required. Saturdays or weekdays
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LATEST NEWS
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The Baptism of the Lord - Veronica Lawson RSM
The story of the Lord's baptism is an initiation or commissioning story. We hear it against the backdrop of the first reading from Isaiah 42. Jesus is God’s chosen one on whom God’s Spirit rests. The voice of God commissions God’s chosen to bring forth justice, sensitively and without fanfare: to be a light to the peoples; to open the eyes of the blind and to set the captives free. A Spirit-filled life consists in fulfilling such a mission.
In Matthew’s account of the baptism, “the heavens are opened” and Jesus sees God’s Spirit descending on him “like a dove”. While the image of the heavens opening presents an ancient three-tiered understanding of the structure of the cosmos, we might nonetheless appreciate the sense it evokes of the all-encompassing cosmic nature of this commissioning event. God’s words are addressed to all who listen to the gospel: “This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.
Jesus’ mission is to be understood in terms of “righteousness” or right relationship. Jesus’ insistence that John baptise him despite John’s reluctance points to the reversal of values that will characterise his mission. There is no pursuit of status or personal aggrandizement in a gospel way of life. Right relationship lies rather in respecting as God’s creation the entire Earth community, in bringing forth justice and setting the captives free. Each one of us can make a difference to the “ordinary time” of those with whom we share life on this planet. The image of “the heavens” opening might serve as a reminder of the destructive effects of human-introduced space debris and of our responsibility to promote global legislation that might inhibit further devastation of this kind
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THANK YOU
for your many Christmas wishes, cards and gifts. Thank you too to all those who assisted with the liturgies over Advent and Christmas. Much happens behind the scenes, and as always, the parish staff and myself are very appreciative of the efforts and generosity of so many within our parish community. With two churches, two schools, a hospital and more than a dozen aged care facilities within the boundaries of the parish, its heartening to know our Christ-like outreach is very much alive in our many volunteers. Thank you again and I wish all parishioners a great 2026. – Fr Alan
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MARY MACKILLOP SPIRITUALITY CENTRE - RECOLLECTION AND REFLECTION DAY
Join us for a Day of Recollection - a peaceful retreat to deepen your connection with God through prayer, meditation, and reflection. Take time away from daily routines to nurture your faith, gain clarity, and renew your purpose. Activities include guided meditations, spiritual readings, and personal prayer time. Book now and nurture your soul in this sacred day of quiet reflection. Facilitated by Clare Shearman.
Friday 6thMarch from 9.30am - 3pm.
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Weekly Parish Bulletins
Care for Our Common Home Parish Update: click to read =>
NOTICE
THE HALL IS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE. TO BOOK, PLS CALL 9532 0018.