St Mary MacKillop Parish
St Mary MacKillop Parish is a Roman Catholic parish within the Diocese of Ballarat, Australia, serving communities across the Western Border region of Victoria. Established as a unified parish in 2018, it resulted from the merger of neighboring faith communities to optimize pastoral care and administrative efficiency[2]. The parish is named after St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first canonized saint and co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who has historical ties to Catholic ministry in the region[5].

History
The parish was formally established on 1 July 2018 after years of consultation through initiatives such as the Looking Forward gatherings (2014 onward), which involved priests and parishioners in planning structural reforms[2]. Its creation aimed to streamline shared resources and responsibilities among smaller communities while enhancing sacramental and pastoral outreach[2]. The region it serves includes towns such as Hamilton, Casterton, Coleraine, Edenhope, and Harrow[2].

Pastoral Leadership
The parish is jointly administered by co-pastors, including Fr Paddy Mugavin and Fr George Kuruvila, who lead liturgical and community activities[1][2]. This collaborative structure reflects the diocese’s emphasis on teamwork to address the evolving needs of rural Catholic communities[2].

Community Engagement
As a nonprofit entity, the parish focuses on outreach to marginalized groups and fostering community connections through volunteer-led programs[1]. Its mission aligns with the charism of St Mary MacKillop, emphasizing service to those "most in need" and education[1][5]. The parish also collaborates with the Sisters of St Joseph, whose founder’s canonization in 2010 remains a focal point for diocesan celebrations[5].

Governance
Operating under the Australian Charity and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the parish adheres to the administrative and liturgical guidelines of the Ballarat diocese[4]. Its structure facilitates joint decision-making among clergy and lay members, reflecting post-2018 reforms to decentralize authority and encourage local participation[2].

[1] https://westernborder.church [2] https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/parish/western-border/ [3] https://westernborder.church/contact/ [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/ae39e20f-39af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077 [5] https://stpatscathedral.weebly.com/historical-people.html