Donnybrook

Named after a town in Ireland, famous for its fair, Donnybrook is situated amid fertile and scenic hills and valleys, about 40 kms south east from Bunbury. The area is renowned for its fruit growing industry and has the origin of the “Lady Williams” apple to its credit. Timber cutting and dairying were early industries, along with the quarrying of the famous “Donnybrook stone”.

The church, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and generally known as St. Mary’s, is in Bentley Street. The parish school, St. Mary’s, is situated behind the church and caters for children from Kindergarten to Year 7. St. Mary’s Parish Centre, further up the hill, was set up in 1996 to provide facilities for office, hospitality, meetings and counseling. The Parish Priest resides in the Presbytery in Donnybrook and also serves the towns of Capel and Kirup. Capel lies about 30kms south of Bunbury along the winding Capel River so named by the pioneering Bussell family. The story is that they camped by the river and named it after their daughter, Capel. Dairying was the early major industry, with some orchards along the Capel River. The advent of ilmenite mining in the 1960s has led to the growth of industrial mining and refining of other minerals west and east of Capel.

St. Joseph’s Church is situated in Capel Drive, Capel. It was built in 1913 and serviced from Busselton for Sunday Mass once a month. In 1942 Capel became part of the Donnybrook Parish. In its eightieth year, 1993, the restoration of St. Joseph’s Church was undertaken by the parish community who have great pride in maintaining a continuity with the early faith community.

The town of Kirup is south of Donnybrook. The Aboriginal name came from the word “kirra” and means “a place of summer flies”. The town was settled in the early days by timber and forestry workers. Small timber mills are still evident in parts such as Grimwade. Orchards extend along both sides of the South West Highway. Farms and forests feature along the scenic Upper Capel Road leading into Kirup. The Holy Family Church in Kirup is situated in Capel St. Built in 1960, it is a sturdy brick building where Mass continues to be celebrated each week with the faithful congregation on Saturday evenings.

History

After the first recorded visit by the Catholic priest from Busselton in 1889, Donnybrook became part of the new parish district created by Bishop Gibney in 1900 for the 3 towns of Bridgetown, Greenbushes and Donnybrook. The first church, established about 1902, was a small wooden structure on low lying ground in Allnutt Street. After winter rains it was said to resemble “Noah’s Ark”. Only after the opening of the school on Convent Hill in 1916 was the church transferred to the new site “above the waters” where the preset church now stands. Under the inspiration of Fr John Walsh and with the help of local volunteers the new church, St. Mary’s, was built and dedicated on 12 October 1969.

In 1916, Sisters of Mercy arrived in Donnybrook and opened St. Philomena’s School and Convent in the prominent position known as Convent Hill (now Bentley Street). The wooden buildings, made of local timber probably due to wartime restrictions, stood the test of time and were still in existence long after the construction of a new brick school in 1958. Since then additions have further improved the school which is now known as St. Mary’s. 1999 saw the opening of a very up to date kindergarten building.

Present

An active Parish Pastoral Council assists the Parish Priest in cultivating a sense of partnership and collaboration in carrying out the mission of the church in this rural parish. It has representatives from all three Mass Centres and Committees focusing on Liturgy, Community life, Justice and Welfare, Education and Formation. Annual spiritual and social events such as Shrove Tuesday celebration, St. Patrick’s dinner Dance at Kirup, Capel Seder Meal, Parish Festa on the Feast of the Assumption and the Parish Camp are honoured traditions within the parish that help foster the growth of community, spirituality and friendship. Education in faith programs are held regularly especially during Lent and Advent. An RCIA journey is held each year for those seeking to become Catholics. A Youth Group caters for the continuing links of young people to the parish through social meetings and activities. Children’s Liturgy of the Word is held at 10.00am Masses in Donnybrook with the help of senior youth and Liturgy group.

Patch Story
Our patch for the banner was lovingly designed and made by –
Mrs Dolores Lamb Capel – Mrs Connie Russo Kirup/Newlands – Mrs Caterina Vinci Kirup
Mrs Donna Croot Donnybrook; Mrs Thea Dilley Donnybrook

Together with the Jubilee Committee: Mrs Rita Sapienza and Sr Pauline Masters

It conveys glory and honour to God for His goodness and beautiful gifts to our Parish. In our thanksgiving, the symbols represent:

The Mercy Cross: The cross is the centre of our faith. Remembering the work of our Mercy Sisters, spreading the message of love and hope.
The Church: The place we gather for Sunday Mass and receive the Sacraments. Remembering the work of our priests, spreading the message of love and hope.
The Holy Spirit: Gently hovering over us with His grace.
The People: God’s beloved children. Every life honoured with love, respect and dignity.
The Sun & Rainbow: God’s glorious life-giving light and splendid colour of the world around us. Incorporating the Papal Jubilee colours.
The Lily: The Jubilee symbol of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Forestry.
Orchards
Cattle and Sheep: We are grateful for the abundance in our land of Donnybrook/Capel/Kirup.
Grapes.
Mineral Sands.

We rejoice in Jesus Christ our Hope – Yesterday, Today Forever.