Our History
History of the Parish of Our Lady and St. Dympna.
The Parish of Our Lady and St Dympna was founded in 1928 by Irish-born priest Fr. John O’Callaghan. The church’s foundation stone was blessed in 1933 and the church was completed later that year.
In 1962, Fr. Tom Guy became Parish Priest and wasted no time in opening St Dympna’s Catholic school.
In 1974 the original church was demolished due to foundational issues and the current Aspley Catholic War Memorial Church of Our Lady and St. Dympna was built.
Fr. Gerry McSweeney, who became Parish Priest in 1977, ignited community initiatives including Aspleycare in 1979 and the Catholic Women’s league in 1984.
Fr. Peter Luton succeeded Fr. Gerry in 1986 and expanded community outreach. Notable initiatives include support for Family Groups in 1993, the Aspley Respite Centre in 2001 and Aspleycare office in 2008.
Fr. Gabriel Kalu was appointed Parish Priest in 2009 and continued the parish’s momentum. He oversaw renovations including the John Paul II room and the installation of solar panels.
Fr. John Panamthottam (CMI) became Parish Priest in 2016, marking the parish’s affiliation with the Order of the Carmelite of Mary Immaculate. He initiated facility upgrades and the installation of air conditioning in the church.
Fr. Robert Doohan, Fr. Sunny Matthew (CMI) and Fr. Stanley Orji administered the parish temporarily in 2021.
Fr. Biju Thomas (CMI) was appointed in January 2022 and has continued to enhance spiritual and community life.
The parish is supported by over 100 volunteers, with various active groups like St. Vincent de Paul, providing leadership and supporting people in need.
The Story of St. Dympna
Dympna, a young girl in 7th century Ireland, closely resembled her Christian mother. Tragedy struck when her mother passed away, leaving her father, the king, in deep sorrow.
The king’s advisers suggested a second marriage, but only if the new wife resembled the late queen. Unable to find such a woman, the king decided to marry his daughter, who looked like her mother.
Appalled by the proposal, Dympna refused and fled with the guidance of her priest, St Gerebern. She sailed to Belgium with Father Gerebern, settling in the village of Gheel near a shrine dedicated to St. Martin of Tours. She was soon discovered.
The king arrived in Gheel, attempting persuasion, promises and even threats, all in vain. Dympna remained steadfast in her refusal to marry her father. In a fit of rage, the king ordered the execution of Father Gerebern. Dympna died by her own father's hand.
St. Dympna’s feast day is May 15. The town of Gheel in Belgium reveres St. Dympna, preserving her remains in a church bearing her name. Gheel has long been a place of pilgrimage for those seeking solace from mental illness and emotional distress.
