About Us

Our parish includes the communities of Sawtell, Toormina, Boambee, Bonville and Crossmaglen.
The church of Mary Help of Christians is located on the corner of Fourth Avenue and East Street, Sawtell. Our parish office is located across the car park from the church at 1/44 Boronia Street Sawtell.

Click this link to view a copy of our Vision and Mission Plan for Mary Help of Christians Parish

2022-2025

BUILDING A LOVING CHRIST-CENTRED COMMUNITY:

In our parish

In our wider community

In service to others

Through outreach

Through the Word

Through the Sacraments

With shared leadership

In joyful worship

Parish Staff

Carolyn Tumminello

Pastoral Associate

Marja Jacobsen

Sacrament & Youth Ministry Leader

Jennifer Oliver

Parish Administration Officer

Michael Darragh

Parish CEO

Matt Digges

Director of Mission SCC

The Church

Our Church was built originally as a combined church and hall in about 1951. By late 1974 it was in a sad state of disrepair, and during the next 12 months it was restored and extended by voluntary labour, and with the assistance of a Federal Government grant, was transformed into a Youth Camp. With the establishment of the Sawtell Parish, the building became the parish church.

During 2018/19 major restoration and renovation work was completed on the church which ensured we continue to have a safe and sacred place for worship and prayer. As an added bonus, we now have facilities which enable social functions and meetings to take place. The bell tower is another new addition and the Angelus can be heard ringing daily at midday and before the Vigil Mass each Saturday evening as well as at funerals and weddings.

The Presbytery

The first Toormina presbytery was originally the school caretaker’s residence, a small two-bedroom dwelling. It was later extended to accommodate Fr Kelly and the subsequent parish priests. In 2015, construction was completed on a new presbytery which was located adjacent to the primary school and near the site of the previous presbytery.

The current presbytery is now located adjacent to the Parish office in Boronia St Sawtell and is close to the church. The previous presbytery dwellings remain the property of the parish and are now rented out.

PARISH OFFICE

The original Parish Office in Boronia St Sawtell has had a number of uses since its construction in the 1940s. Originally built as a family residence, then used as a convent by the Sisters of Mercy, a temporary presbytery by Fr Kelly, and finally the Parish Office. It was demolished in 2018 to enable the construction of new townhouses. One of these became the new parish office and another became the new presbytery.

MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS PRIMARY SCHOOL

The first stage of the school opened in Toormina in 1980 while we were still part of the Coffs Harbour Parish. The school commenced with 130 pupils in 6 classes. Over the years it has undergone much work to extend and upgrade the facilities.

During 2019, the school underwent major renovations and extensions on the administration block and all classrooms, as well as building an extra six classrooms. There are now over 400 students attending the school. An Outside School Hours Care facility also operates out of the school.

SAWTELL CATHOLIC CARE

Marian Grove began as a vision of some parishioners in the early days of the parish to provide care and support for the aging in their community. The first residents moved into Stage One in 1992 and the care and passion that has been shown by so many have seen the facilities and the community grow to what it is today.

There are now over 230 units with the near completion of Stage Five, providing more. The stages in between have seen the establishment in 1999 of Mater Christi Nursing Home with a purpose built dementia unit added later, a recreation hall, cafe, workshop, Our Lady of the Way Chapel, bush boardwalk and soon to come – The Link community facility.
These facilities now include the Mater Christi Nursing Home with a purpose built dementia unit, a recreation hall, cafe, workshop,Our Lady of the Way Chapel, a bush boardwalk and soon to come- The Link community facility. There are now over 230 units with the completion of Stage Seven. The growth of this important community facility continues.