Mildura is located in the northwestern corner of Victoria, Australia, on the banks of the Murray River. It shares its boundaries with the states of New South Wales to the north and South Australia to the west. Mildura is a key agricultural hub, known for its production of grapes, citrus, and olives, supported by irrigation from the Murray River. Historically, the area was transformed in the late 19th century by Canadian brothers George and Willian Chaffey, who introduced large-scale irrigation, making it a significant part of Victoria’s fruit-growing region.
Mildura is part of the diocese of Ballarat, while across the Murry River in New South Wales; it borders the Diocese of Wilccania-Forbes. Mildura is home to a vibrant migrant community, with Catholics from various parts of the world, including Italians, Greeks, Filipinos, Tongans and a growing number of Christians from India. The Kerala Christian Community, in particular, plays a significant and active role in the local parish, contributing to the multicultural and diverse faith life of the region.
The Syro Malabar Mission in Mildura began as a small gathering of a few families around 2009, hailing from various Christian traditions such as the Syro Mallabar Rite, Latin Catholics, Malankara Catholics, and Syrian Jacobite churches. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they united to celebrate major festivals like Christmas and Easter. Fr Paul Chekkinikunnel would visit Mildura monthly to celebrate Mass for the community. These families lived their faith with dedication, praying the Rosary throughout the month of May in different homes and observing ten days of Rosary in October, also rotating the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary from house to house.
In 2011, Fr George Mankuzhikkary arrived in Wentworth Parish to serve the parishes under the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese. He began engaging with the Christian faithful in Mildura to strengthen the bonds of faith, unite the Kerala Christian community, and organize it more effectively. Fr George initiated monthly Masses, welcoming all Kerala Christian communities. These Masses began at Buronga Parish, just across the river. From the start, catechism classes for children were held in the home of a community member. As the number of children grew in 2012, the Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa took over the catechism program at Sacred Heart Church, Mildura, with the support of the local priests, organizing it in a more structured manner.
The year 2014 was a milestone for the Syro Malabar faithful across Australia, as it marked the establishment of the St Thomas Syro Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne. This historic event provided a unified spiritual home for Syro Malabar Catholics throughout the country.
However, when Fr George left Mildura in 2018, the local Syro Malabar community experienced a gap in regular pastoral care. For a period, they were without a dedicated priest to celebrate the Qurbana in Malayalam language for Syro Malabar Rite.
In response to this need, Bishop Bosco Puthur took the initiative, and arrangements were made for Fr Sajan to travel from Ballarat to Mildura. Beginning his service, Fr Sajan celebrated the Holy Qurbana for the community on the fourth week of every month. Unfortunately, this arrangement was interrupted due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted regular gatherings and services.
Despite these challenges, the resilience and faith of the community have remained strong, as they continue to adapt to the changing circumstances.
In 2022, the Mildura mission received new momentum with the arrival of Fr Shaiju Mathew MST, marking a shift toward emphasizing its identity as the St Thomas Syro- Malabar Mission. Since then, the mission has been steadily growing, both in numbers and in developing a more structured way of functioning. Currently, the community comprises approximately 40 families, with a few of them regularly contributing $20 per month to support the mission’s regular expenses.
Fr Shaiju Edathiparampil MST
Mobile: 0466132769
Holy Qurbana Timing & Address:
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 20 Box St, Merbein, Mildura.
4th Sunday of every month, at 5:30 pm and all other major feasts of the church.
Parish Contact Persons:
Manu Paul 0402822211
Antony 0400167427
Binu Joseph 0480239318
