Safeguarding

ST PETER THE APOSTLE, BEDFORD acknowledges that safeguarding is a shared responsibility prioritising the care, protection and best interests of children and adults at risk. By providing a safe environment, actively identifying and managing risk, and complying with the Safeguarding policy, guidelines and legal obligations, we serve Jesus and uphold human dignity as the foundation of our faith.  We aim for our parish to be safe, welcoming, and inclusive.

Our Parish is committed to implementing the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS).  We annually undertake a self-assessment (Safeguarding Activities Assessment Tool - SAAT) to continuously improve and monitor the implementation of the NCSS.

You can find out more about the safeguarding program, guidelines, find helpful resources, and protective behaviours resources and story books here.

Our Safeguarding Officers
Safeguarding officers assist to create a safe environment for all. They are the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns and support the implementation of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.
TINA BALDWIN 0438 280 125 AND ROSS CONTRUSCERI 0419 987 903

Reporting Abuse
If you have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child or adult within the context of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth or wish to report abuse, you can:
  • Contact the Safeguarding Officer
  • Submit a Safeguarding Concern Report Form here.
  • Call the Safeguarding Program Office on (08) 9221 7762.

About St. Peter The Apostle Church Perth

About Our Church

The Parish of Bedford/Inglewood was originally attached to the Parish of Maylands. As the area began to develop with new dwellings in the Bedford Park area, Archbishop Prendiville saw the need for a new Church and school. Circa 1935 the Archbishop bought three acres of land at a cost of 450 pounds. This land was used to build the convent, the original hall and first school. Construction of the Church/School/Hall, which when completed and furnished cost 3,000 pounds. The district then became attached to the Parish of Bayswater and became known as the combined Parish of Bayswater-Bedford Park. Soon after, the construction of the Inglewood Parish Church, All Hallows, began.

It was not until 30th January 1949 that the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle, Bedford Park was founded after it was separated definitely from Bayswater. In 1963, work commenced on the new Church, and was completed in 1964, with the title of “War Memorial Church of St. Peter the Apostle.”

In 1981 the two parishes of Inglewood and Bedford combined to become one parish community. In November 2004, the Parish Community farewelled the beautiful Parish Church of All Hallows as it was handed to the Melkite community thus making St. Peter’s Church the centre for the parish.

Please read below, about our parish’s long and illustrious history, from 1938 to present day.

1st Decade 1938-1948

1938
4th March - Archbishop Prendiville laid and blessed the foundation stone for All Hallows Church.
6th March - Opening ceremony of the new St. Peter's Church/School Hall by Archbishop Prendiville and Rev. Dr. Edmond Sullivan, Parish Priest.
St. Peter's Church Opening Day
First Mass at St. Peter's in 1938
Inglewood (Beaufort Street) in 1939
1940
Fr. McBride wrote to the Archbishop notifying him of the parishioners desire to build a school in the area.
Father McBride's Letter to the Archbishop
1941
5 Dominican Sisters came to the Parish from Dongara to open a school. They rented a house in Wood Street, until their convent was built.
26 students were enrolled on the first day and attended classes in the Church/Hall.
St. Peter's School's First 26 Students
1942
Dominican Convent was built..
St. Dominic's Convent.
1946
After discharge from the army as Army Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Sullivan was transferred to Glendalough.
Rev. Fr. John Russel was appointed Parish Priest of the combined district of Bayswater/Bedford Park. He rented accommodation in Harcourt Street as there was no Presbytery yet.

2nd Decade 1948-1958

1949
January - Archibishop Prendiville made Bedford Park a separate parish due to the development of the area.  Rev. Mons. Launcelot Goody was appointed parish priest.  His first Parochial Mass was on 30th January.     Fr Russell returned to Bayswater Parish.   Bedford Park divided from Bayswater Parish.

1951
The Presbytery in Wood Street was built at a cost of 2,800 pounds. It was blessed by the Archbishop in August. Mons. Goody was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Perth.

1952
23rd March - Fr. Vincent O'Sullivan was inducted as Parish Priest.
July - The foundations of the new school were laid.
Message from Fr. Vincent
1953
7th July - Bishop Goody blessed and opened the Primary School of St. Peter's Bedford.  The cost of the school (without furnishings) was 10,500 pounds.
8th July - School classes commenced with 225 students enrolled.
St. Peter's School in the 1950's
1953-1954
Since the school had been established in the new buildings, the original Hall was made complete with Church fittings and used exclusively for Church purposes.
1955
5th June - The Dominican Sisters opened the Secondary School, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Kindergarten with the first buildings blessed by Archbishop Prendiville. This school was financed by the Sisters.  The extensions were made to the Presbytery in Wood Street, with two rooms added at a cost of 1,200 pounds.
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School's Opening Day
Father O'Sullivan at Opening Day of S.T.A. Secondary School, His Grace Archbishop Prendiville on the left
1957
November - The Parish held its first 'Canvassing'- Planned Giving Campaign to help raise funds for the ever-expanding needs of the parish.
1957-1958 - The Church and school grounds and parking areas were bituminised by Joe Dominish.
Planned Giving Campaign Members in 1957

3rd Decade 1958-1968


1960 - Second Planned Giving Campaign.
1963 - 15th August - Work commenced on the New Church (present site).  The Architect was Raymond Jones, the building was done by Torrance Construction whilst Fr. Vin O'Sullivan was Parish Priest and Fr. Pat Ahearn was Assistant Priest.
1964 - 7th October - The new church was blessed and opened by Archibishop Prendiville at a cost of 54,000 pounds furnished.
Opening of New St. Peter's Church
The West Australian Article of 10th October 1964
Mosaic Art for the New St. Peter's Church
From the notes of Fr. O'Sullivan - points of interest about the Church:

  • The tile roof is supported by a spider web of steel.
  • This is supported in turn by steel pillars encased in concrete.
  • The floor is concrete 5 inches thick, reinforced throughout with steel.
  • The pews were made by Ahearns - cost 3,000 pounds.
  • The marble sanctuary cost 3,000 pounds.
  • The Stations of the Cross were made by Mrs Dan Mazzotti of Yokine and consists over 40,000 mosaics. The cost was 500 pounds and was donated by Martin Lynch and family.
  • The Tabernacle was transferred from the Old Church. It was donated by Ernie Reilly as a result of a promise made to Mgr O'Sullivan that he would give a new Tabernacle if his horse "Earl James" won the Railway Stakes. Mr Reilly was the owner of the Civic Hotel at the time (The horse won by a nose).  The year was 1953.
  • The Sacristy is narrow because I changed the original foundations to give more room or space behind the altar. I heard a rumour that Mass would possibly be said facing the people. The Archbishop said it would never happen. I took some other advice. N.B. The building is pre-Vatican II.
  • The Rock used as a Baptistery was given free and transported by White Rock Quarry, then owned by O'Neills  (friends of mine). It weighs more than 2 tonnes. There is a large section under the ground, "You are Peter- upon this rock…" etc - symbolic.
  • The Church and Tower and steps and walls all around the lot including rock and fee - 54,000 pounds.

4th Decade 1968-1978


1970
The Primary School had extensions made which included new classrooms, staffroom and toilets.    Cost of $20,000.

1971
1st April - The Church bell, which was imported from Italy was erected. It weighs 230 lbs (50 kg), is half a meter in diameter and cost $300. Mrs Maria Tavelli - Joe Tavelli's mother, after visiting the parish and noticing that the church tower had no bells, organised the bell to be made at the local foundry in Varese, Italy, and shipped to St. Peter's parish in Australia. Joe and Terry Tavelli had a frame made for it and secured it to the tower. 

1973
School Board was formed. The Parish Council was formed.

1974
Saturday evening Mass introduced. Sunday Masses 7.50am, 9am and 10.30 am.
Kitchen and toilet facilities were added to the Parish Hall.

5th Decade 1978-1988


1980
Fr. Vincent O'Sullivan was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Columban Fathers ran the parish during his illness. He died on 16th December.
Fr. Vincent O'Sullivan in 1980

1981
February - Fr. Jim Petry was appointed Parish Priest. 
In accordance with the late Fr. O' Sullivan's desire of improvements to the interior and exterior of the Church, work was done to renovate. The floor tiles were removed and the Church was fully carpeted; an audio loop was fitted; new microphones and speakers were installed and the altar rails were removed and replaced with marble. The overall cost was $9,416.
May - All Hallows Inglewood amalgamated with St. Peter's Bedford to become the Parish of Bedford/Inglewood. During 1981 (Year of the Disabled) ramps and audio loops were installed at both Churches.

1982
28th November - Mons. James Nestor blessed and opened the extensions and renovations to St. Peter's Primary School.  At the same time, Mons. Nestor unveiled a plaque commemorating 29 years of service by the late Fr. Vin O'Sullivan.  The cost of the whole programme was $232,000.

1983
March - The old house next to All Hallows was demolished and plans were drawn up for a new Parish Centre next to All Hallows Church.
May - Fr. Brian Morrison moved into the Presbytery as a base close to 6KY Studio. He assisted with Masses in the Parish until he was moved in June 1985.
29th August - The new centre was blessed and formally opened by Fr. Jim O'Brien. The cost of the Centre was $33,000 and was paid for from the sale of the Presbytery.
Parish Centre Next to All Hallows Church

1985

June 28th - The Feast of Saints Peter and St Paul was celebrated by the combined parishes and schools of Mt. Lawley and Bedford/Inglewood. Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Goody, Fr. Jim Petry and Fr. Mick Byrne. On this occasion the beautiful statue of St. Peter the Apostle was donated to the School/Parish by the Small family, in commemoration of their son, Peter, who passed away in 1972.

August - A Parish Census was undertaken.
St. Peter's Statue in the Church
A Gift from the Small Family

1985

The Family Fast Programme was initiated. It is a sacrificial, anonymous, non-tax-deductible way of giving to the poor. Funds collected are used to help out small areas of the world that struggled with poverty or disaster. The essence of the programme is when you are sacrificing something, eg, a bar of chocolate, a bottle of wine, or a favourite treat, you can offer your gift towards the Family Fast fund, knowing that you have 'truly gone without for someone who goes without'.

Sr. Joan Forscutt O.L.M was appointed first full-time Pastoral Associate.

1987                                                              
Advent and Lenten discussion groups began and were very popular.
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion were introduced into the Parish.

6th Decade 1988-1998


1988
9th April - The Dominican Sisters left St. Dominic's Priory Bedford Park after 47 years of missionary work in the field of education and pastoral care.
The Bell Tower Bulletin from April 1988

1989
"Year of Mission" was celebrated with various activities at parish and Archdiocesan level.

1990
May - Fr. Jim Petry left the Parish.  Fr. Bruce Jones was appointed Parish Priest.
August - the Parish celebrated Fr. Bruce's 10th Anniversary of Priesthood in the Parish Hall.

1991
June - Fr. Jones was succeeded as Parish Priest by Fr. Vincent Conroy.

1993
September - Parish Mission was conducted for one and a half weeks duration. Talks were given by various priests, religious sisters and laity. The highlights were the international night with a procession between All Hallows and St. Peter's. Archbishop Hickey presided at the closing Mass on 8th September.
December - Sr. Joan Forscutt left the parish after seven years as Pastoral Associate.

1994
May - Fr. Vincent Conroy left the parish.  Fr. Trevor Simons was appointed new Parish Priest.
October - 30th Anniversary of present St. Peter's Church celebrated by Archbishop Hickey.
Fr. Trevor Simons

1995
Canonical visitation was made to the parish by Bishop Robert Healey during the year.
January - The newsletter "The Bell Tower" became the "Bedford/Inglewood Community Parish Newsletter" - one effort to create a sense of community between All Hallows and St. Peter's.
February - Sr. Catherine Brophy was appointed as R.E. Co-ordinator for the Parish Religious Education Programme.
October - First Outdoor Mass and Parish BBQ. It was very successful with over 400 people attending.

1996
February - New fans were installed at All Hallows Church.
May - Fr. Bob Cardin conducted a three-day adult education seminar in the Parish entitled "Who is My God?"

1997
February - The Parish hosted a series of talks by various speakers on the suggested themes by Archbishop Hickey as a lead up to the Jubilee Year 2000.
September - Outreach programme "Petercare" was launched in the Parish. 120 volunteers registered to assist in emergency care to help fellow parishioners.
14th September - The Parish/school community gathered for a "Blessing of the Site" to mark the start of work on improvements to the school building, the surrounding grounds and conversion of part of the Parish Hall into a 4-year-old Kindergarten.
December - The Diocesan Resource Committee approved the plans for renovations to the forecourt of St. Peter's Church. The parish participated in social justice issues by petitioning the Fairwear Campaign and joined the rest of the world in the campaign against the continued use of land mines.

7th Decade 1998-2008


1998
January – Mrs. Evelyn Tierney was appointed Pastoral Assistant.
4th March - The 60th Anniversary of All Hallows Church was celebrated with a Mass of Thanksgiving followed by supper in the Parish Centre.
August – Parish Census was undertaken. As a result, it was discovered the parish had approximately 1,100 families.
8th-12th September – Parish Mission held over five days with the theme of “Praise the Past, Embrace the Future.”
October – ‘Blessing of the Animals’ incorporated (for the first time) in the Annual Outdoor Mass – held in the redeveloped grounds of St. Peter’s School.
1st November – 60th Anniversary of Bedford/Inglewood Community Parish. Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Barry Hickey.

1999                                                                                                     
21st February - The Dominican Centenary was celebrated as a way of thanking the Sisters for their generous contribution to establishing St. Peter's Parish Community and School in the past.
June - Parishioners voted for Mass time changes which came into effect in December.
Christmas Eve - The Holy Doors were blessed and opened at the conclusion of a candle light procession at Midnight Mass. Many attended this significant event in our parish life.
The design of the door was based on ideas generated in Parish meetings "Countdown to Jubilee".  The top left-hand panel features the Jubilee logo: in a circular field which indicates the universe.  A Cross is inscribed which sustains and upholds humanity gathered in the five Continents represented by five Doves.  The circular form in which the Doves are represented underlies the Spirit of Solidarity which animates the Great Jubilee of the year 2000.  The top right-hand panel features the symbolic Alpha and Omega (the Beginning and the End) representing the Father... Before History, In History, After History.  The words: "This is the Gate of the Lord..." are part of the rite which the Pope opened the Holy Door in Rome.  The universal nature of the top two panels is balanced by the two bottom panels which have local significance.  At the suggestion of parishioners involved in planning the Holy Door, we see presented some symbols of St. Peter and something symbolic of the different cultures represented within our parish.  Hence the panel featuring the symbols of St. Peter: the Fish, the Keys, the Rock and the panel featuring three persons reaching up to the Dove.  These three people have different coloured faces (representing the different cultures) and the design of this panel is based on our parish banner.  The words: "Spirit filled we can learn to live as one" are taken from the song "Proclaim Jubilee" which was used to open the parish meetings of Jubilee.  The Holy Door is the central of the symbol of the Jubilee year symbolising the human journey towards God through time and space and the spiritual significance of the year.
2000
3rd March - The World Day of Prayer was celebrated by local Christian denominations at All Hallows Church with a Mass.
9th April - The Jubilee for Migrants and Refugees was celebrated by the Parish at the 10.30am Mass. Many wore national dress on the day and Mass began with a procession of various nationalities.
11th June - Feast of Pentecost, "Pilgrimage of the Heart", a national celebration where leaders of Australia's Christian Churches engaged in an act of reconciliation. Marlene Jackamarra, a guest speaker, spoke about Aboriginal reconciliation.
29th June - On the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul the Bedford/Inglewood Parish invited parishioners from Our Lady's Assumption, Dianella, to join in celebrating the feast of the Patron Saint, in an effort to forge links with other communities.

2001
May - The "Book of Remembrance" was commenced in the parish for parishioners to place the names and dates of the anniversary of death of their loved ones.
August - Fr. Trevor Simons celebrated his 20th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood in Mass of Thanksgiving

2003
May - As a result of a recent storm damage, new paint work was done on the Sanctuary of St. Peter's Church.
September - $1,000 from the Family Fast fund was sent to the Servite Sisters in South India to go towards the building of a tertiary college that would cater for the education of disadvantaged women.
December - New carpet was put in the Church to replace the old which was placed in 1981.  $500 from the Family Fast fund was given to a Mother Teresa charity in Burma towards the care of destitute children in her apostolate.
Fr. Trevor Simons announced in his AGM report that Archbishop Hickey had met with the Melkite Bishop and plans would be under way in 2004 to transfer ownership of All Hallows Church to the Melkite Catholic Community.

2004
11th - 13th June - Canonical visitation was made to the parish by Archbishop Barry Hickey. On the Saturday night of the 12th, there was a supper reception at the Parish Hall after the 6pm Mass. The visit concluded with the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at Sunday Mass.
From 23rd October - All Masses were celebrated at St. Peter's Church after recent damage to the ceiling in All Hallows Church.
31st October - The parish celebrated St. Peter's Church's 40th anniversary of its consecration at the Sunday 10.30am Mass. The primary school choir provided the music at the Mass
25th November - Farewell Mass of All Hallows Church held at 7pm. The Church is transferred to the care of the Catholic Melkite Community with the approval of Archbishop Hickey. The Parish Community is consolidated to the one Church, St. Peter the Apostle.

2006                                                                  
20th August - Fr. Trevor Simons celebrated his Silver Jubilee of Priesthood with the parish at Mass

2007
29th April - Farewell Mass for Fr. Trevor Simons, he had served the parish for 13 years.  Fr. Sam (Albert Saminedi) was appointed new Parish Priest.
3rd June - His Lordship Bishop Joseph Abangite Gasi from the Diocese of Yambio, South Sudan, celebrated the Sunday Masses on his visit to Australia, the first ever by a Sudanese Bishop. He was accompanied by his secretary, Fr. John Gbemboyo. A collection of $2,000 and another $2,000 from     Family Fast was given to the orphan children of Sudan.

8th Decade 2008-2018


2009
5th June - First Healing Mass was held at the Church followed by Fellowship in the Hall, and continued on the first Friday of each month.

2011
13th February - Farewell Mass for Fr. Sam (Albert Saminedi).  Fr. Dat Vuong appointed new Parish Priest.
29th June - Website launched on St. Peter's Feast day.
Fr. Dat Vuong

2016
July - Fr Jeronimo Flamenco Castillo was appointed priest in charge at St Peter the Apostle.
October - Fr Jeronimo celebrated his 1st Holy Communion and Grandparents Day mass at St Peter.
December - Our very first Christmas Vigil Mass at St Peter School Oval.
Fr. Jeronimo Flamenco (left)

2017 
February- Fr Jeronimo Flamenco Castillo was appointed Parish Priest at St Peter for term of 6 years, celebrated by Most Rev Donald Sproxton.
June - International Food Fete for fundraising. St Peter School involved.
October - Why be catholic conference.
                     Our Lady Procession started, twice a year.
                      Sunday reading study group.

2018
Purified conference by Jason Evert, a speaker from America.
First Palm Sunday with Palm decorations.
Tomb donated by Stephen Choi for Holy Week and Easter services.
Adoration of Blessed Sacrament every Thursday commenced.

9th Decade 2018-

2019
June - Fr Jeronimo Flamenco Castillo celebrated his 10th anniversary to the priesthood.
July - Fr Jeronimo Flamenco Castillo travelled back home to El Salvador to celebrate with his family.
Supporting The Black Dog Institute sausage sizzle fundraising. Not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping us live mentally healthier lives through efforts in research, clinical services and mental health programs.
Protecting God's Children workshop.
Social Committee formed.

2020
February - COVID-19: churches closed! COVID plan implemented and adhered to.
Holy Week & Easter services were livestreamed. Livestream of Masses continued until August 2020.
Mary's Procession was livestreamed.
Book-club: The Laudato Si; care of our common home, every Tuesday in September conducted by Sr Shelley.
September - Restricted numbers to attend Masses was in placed.

2021
Feb-March - Lent preparation program: 7 deadly sins & 7 Heavenly virtues by Fr Jeronimo & David Byrne
May - Fundraising event (Painting) for church restoration
June - International food fete, COVID lockdown at 12 noon.
St Peter the Apostle
91 Wood Street
Inglewood WA 6052
Phone: +61 8 9423 3010
Email: admin@stpetersbedford.au

Office Hours
Tuesday to Friday: 9am - 1pm
Mass Times
Tuesday to Friday: 9:00am
Saturday: 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am
Sunday: 12:00pm (Spanish Mass)
Sunday: 5:00pm - (Family Mass)
NOTE: → Please check our Event Page for Mass time and special celebration Mass ←

Reconciliation
Saturday: 5:00pm - 5:30pm
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