Welcome to St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish Glenorchy
We are a vibrant and welcoming multi-generational and multi-cultural Catholic community in Hobart’s northern suburbs. Our Parish has been entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco since 2000. All welcome.
Join us at one of two locations
The Catholic Parish Glenorchy includes St. John the Baptist Church Glenorchy and St. Monica’s Church Chigwell. All are welcome to stay for a chat and a cuppa after our Saturday 6.00pm and Sunday 10.00am Masses at St. John’s.
St. John the Baptist Church
62 Bowden Street Glenorchy
Mass Schedule
Monday to Wednesday 9.00am
Thursday 12.00pm
Friday 9.00am
Saturday 9.00am
Saturday 6.00pm (Vigil)
Sunday 10.00am
St. Monica’s Church
67-69 Allunga Road, Chigwell
Mass Schedule
Sunday 8.30am
Our Vision
We are people of God, loved unconditionally by God.
We are called into a communion of life and love with Jesus Christ, who impels us to deepen our relationship with each other and with all people.
We are inspired by the Holy Spirit of God to use our gifts in the service of others and as stewards of creation.
Loved
We respond to God’s unconditional love
for each of us.
We pray | We reflect | We share
Inspired
We respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
We serve | We evangelise | We nurture
Called
We respond to Jesus Christ as a Catholic community of faith.
We celebrate | We collaborate | We include
Our People
Our Parish is served by the following people as part of our Ministry Team.
Fr Guy Riolo
Parish Priest
Fr Gaetano (Guy) Riolo (Salesian of Don Bosco) has been Parish Priest since 2019. He was previously Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church St Mary’s, NSW for eight years. Fr Guy was ordained a Salesian priest in 1999. He says that the man Don Bosco (1815-1888), the founder of the Salesians, is at the core of his own identity. Don Bosco’s mission in the Church is to draw all young people, especially the most vulnerable and needy, to Jesus. Fr Guy’s pastoral efforts, however small or insignificant, are aimed to further this work on behalf of the Church. He is committed to generously serving the whole Parish and to grow in his involvement within the community of Glenorchy. With the support of his Salesian Community in the Parish, parishioners, and with the blessing of Our Lady Help of Christians and her spouse, St Joseph, Fr Guy will strive to be Don Bosco today for those he encounters.
Fr John Murphy
Rector of Dominic College
Fr John Murphy (Salesian of Don Bosco) was appointed to the role of Rector of Dominic College in January, 2025, but is no stranger to Tasmania, having served for three years with the Salesians in Glenorchy in his formation years. Fr John hails from Victoria, but has had many roles in a variety of Salesian communities within Australia. Fr John was ordained a Salesian priest in 1975 and has now celebrated his 50th year of Priesthood. Fr John says being a Salesian is at the core of his identity and his faith is his greatest treasure. “…without it life would be very empty.”
Fr John brings to his role as Rector of Dominic College a wealth of experience and knowledge gained over many decades and contributes to the Parish of St John the Baptist by assisting Fr Guy with Parish Masses and administering the Sacraments.
Mrs Sheila Gonzales
Parish Secretary
Sheila Gonzales has worked as Parish Secretary since 2013. Born into a devout Catholic family in the Philippines, Sheila and her husband, Arnold, made the decision to immigrate to Australia in 2010. Sheila and Arnold have two adult sons and a little Aussie, now six. Sheila has a Bachelor’s degree from her native Philippines. Her experience and skills have helped her in the busy and varied role of Parish Secretary. Sheila says she enjoys helping and interacting with people through the Parish, and taking care of her family is a top priority. Sheila enjoys cooking her native Filipino food for family and friends. She is always helpful and friendly and greets everyone with a happy and genuine smile.
Parish Groups & Ministries
Parish Pastoral Council – Provides the Parish Priest with valuable advice and assistance with regard to Parish pastoral works.
Parish Finance Committee – Provides the Parish Priest with valuable advice and assistance with regard to Parish financial matters.
Parish Liturgy Committee – Assists the Parish Priest in preparing liturgies that foster the spiritual and sacramental life of the community.
Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Parish Masses and Liturgies.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest to distribute Communion at Mass.
Groups of singers and musicians lead the music at Masses and liturgies.
Altar Servers assist the presiding priest at Mass.
Ministry of Communion to the Sick – Communion is taken to sick or housebound parishioners or those in nursing homes.
Parish Youth Group – The youth group encourages young adults aged 16-25 to meet together for friendship and to grow spiritually.
Marriage and Family Group – The group is focussed on helping married couples to grow spiritually and deepen their relationships.
Hospitality Committee – The members provide hospitality after weekend Masses to build a strong Parish community.
Prayer Groups – St Joseph’s Prayer Group; Divine Mercy Prayer Group; Legion of Mary.
Volunteering with the Parish – If you would like to serve the Parish community as a volunteer in any capacity, or to join one of the Parish groups, please contact us.
Our Story
The presence of the Catholic Church in Glenorchy goes back much further than the declaration of the Parish of St. John the Baptist on 5 May, 1956. Bishop Robert Willson arrived in Van Diemen's Land in 1844 as the first Catholic Bishop of the colony and soon began celebrating Masses at the Glenorchy Probation Station.
Above: The original St. John the Baptist Church, early last century.
On 25 May 1858, just four years after Glenorchy was declared a Municipality, the foundation stone of a church to be dedicated to St John the Baptist, was blessed. In March of the following year, the small sandstone, Pugin style church, designed by architect, Henry Hunter, and situated on the corner of the Main Road and what is now Grove Road, was blessed and opened by Bishop Willson.
Above: St Monica’s Chigwell after alterations in 1977.
One hundred years later, when the congregation had outgrown the little sandstone church, a small vertical board church dedicated to St Monica, was blessed and opened in Chigwell and in 1960, a new church-hall in Regina Street became the main centre of worship. The congregations of these two churches have built up the parish which has been administered by the Salesians of Don Bosco since the year 2000.
Above: St. John’s Church, Bowden Street in 1963.
The presence of the Salesians of Don Bosco at Boys’ Town, in Glenorchy, preceded the formation of the parish by ten years. Boys’ Town became Savio College in 1956. The Dominican Sisters founded Holy Name College for girls and St John’s Primary School in 1960. In 1973, these three foundation schools merged to become Dominic College, which today provides co-education from K-10 for over 900 students.
The Glenorchy Campus of Guilford Young College for years 11 and 12 students, situated adjacent to St John’s Church has resulted from further development within the Catholic Education System. These two Catholic Colleges continue to have a close association with the parish community.
Tiny Potatoes
Produced in 1999, the booklet Tiny Potatoes further documents the history of the Glenorchy parish and its associated Colleges that grew from the proceeds of potatoes planted in the fields surrounding the parish.
St John’s Church Artwork
The Carving of Christ Crucified and Risen
Commissioned from renowned Tasmanian Sculptor Peter Taylor, the carving was erected in 1986.
Slab-glass windows
The slab glass windows were Installed between 1993 and 2021 and were created by artist and parishioner Michael Nunn.
Sacraments
In the Catholic Church, there are seven sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Marriage — which are considered effective signs of grace instituted by Christ to dispense divine life and foster unity with God.
Baptism
By appointment with the Parish Priest
Eucharist
The Eucharist can be received at every Parish Mass by those who are fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
Reconciliation
Saturdays 9.30am – 10.00am and 5.15pm – 5.45pm or by appointment with the Parish Priest.
Anointing of the sick
This Sacrament is offered during the 12.00pm Mass on the third Thursday of the month or by appointment with the Parish Priest.
Marriage
By appointment with the Parish Priest
Funeral arrangements
By appointment with the Parish Priest
Enquiries about becoming a Catholic (RCIA)
Please contact us
Sacramental preparation for children
The Parish offers sacramental preparation for children in Year 4 and above, who have already been Baptised as a Catholic and who wish to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist.
You can find out more by downloading and reading our Welcome Book.
Support
Your support for the parish is greatly appreciated and allows it to continue to function. Contactless payment is available at St. John’s Church. You can also arrange direct debit or regular payments via electronic funds transfer from your bank account.
Giving
Bank: Commonwealth Bank
Account Name: St. John's Glenorchy
BSB: 06 7000
Account Number: 1031 5732
