St Leo The Great Church Altona North

About St Leo the Great Church — Catholic Parish in Altona North, Victoria

St Leo the Great Church (ABN: 98126014951) is a Catholic parish in Altona North, Victoria, serving the Catholic community in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Established in 1965 and registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) since 3 December 2012, the parish is part of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Located at 387 Mason Street, Altona North VIC 3025, St Leo the Great Church provides regular worship services, sacraments, faith formation, and pastoral care to parishioners and families across Altona North, Williamstown, Newport, Yarraville, Spotswood, and surrounding suburbs.

The parish is led by Parish Priest Fr Paul Tru and welcomes diverse communities including those from Italian, Maltese, Vietnamese, and European backgrounds. St Leo the Great Parish prioritises the safety of children and vulnerable people through policies aligned with Victorian Child Safe Standards.

Mass Times at St Leo the Great Church

St Leo the Great Church celebrates weekend and weekday Masses at the following times:

Weekend Mass Times

• Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm
• Sunday Mass: 10:30am
• Sunday Evening Mass: 5:00pm

Weekday Mass Times

• Monday to Friday: 9:30am

Mass times are subject to change during public holidays and special liturgical seasons. For the most current Mass schedule, please contact the parish office at (03) 9391 7111 or visit stleothegreat.org.au.

Reconciliation (Confession) Times

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is available at the following times:

• Weekdays: After 9:30am Mass
• Saturday: Before 5:00pm Vigil Mass (approximately 4:30pm)

Private appointments for Confession can also be arranged by contacting the parish office.

Sacraments and Services at St Leo the Great Catholic Church

St Leo the Great Parish offers the full range of Catholic sacraments and pastoral services:

Baptism

Baptism preparation is available for families wishing to initiate their children into the Catholic faith. Parents are required to attend preparation sessions before scheduling a Baptism. To arrange a Baptism, contact the parish office at (03) 9391 7111 or email altonanorth@cam.org.au.

Weddings

Catholic weddings at St Leo the Great Church are available by appointment. Couples are required to meet with the Parish Priest and complete marriage preparation as required by the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Contact the parish office to begin the wedding preparation process.

First Communion and Confirmation

St Leo the Great Parish provides sacramental preparation programs for children preparing for First Communion (Eucharist) and Confirmation. These programs run annually and are coordinated through the parish and St Leo the Great Primary School.

Funerals

The parish provides funeral services and pastoral support for families who have lost loved ones. Funeral arrangements can be made by contacting the parish office or Parish Priest directly.

Special Liturgical Services

Throughout the liturgical year, St Leo the Great Church celebrates special services including:

• Holy Week services: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday (Lord’s Supper), Good Friday (Stations of the Cross), Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday
• Christmas Mass schedule: Christmas Eve Mass, Midnight Mass, Christmas Day Mass
• Feast days and solemnities throughout the Church calendar

History of St Leo the Great Parish — 1965 to Present

St Leo the Great Parish has a rich history dating back to the mid-1960s when the area was known as Newport West. In the 1950s, land was donated for the establishment of a Catholic church to serve the growing Catholic population in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

First Church Opening — 1966

The first St Leo the Great Church building opened in June 1966, providing a permanent place of worship for the Catholic community in what was then called Newport West. The parish quickly became a spiritual home for families from diverse backgrounds, including post-war migrants from Italy, Malta, and other European countries.

Pope John Paul II Visit — 1986

A historic moment in the parish’s history occurred in 1986 when Pope John Paul II made a pastoral visit to St Leo the Great Church during his trip to Australia. The pontiff addressed parishioners, met with school children from St Leo the Great Primary School, and blessed the community.

St Leo the Great Church was the only Australian parish visited by Pope John Paul II during his 1986 trip, making it a site of significant historical and spiritual importance for Catholics in Australia. This papal visit remains a defining moment in the parish’s history and is remembered with pride by long-time parishioners.

New Church Building — 2005

In 2005, a new church building was opened under the leadership of Archbishop Denis Hart, providing modern facilities while maintaining the parish’s commitment to traditional Catholic worship and community service.

Parish Priest and Leadership

St Leo the Great Parish is led by Parish Priest Fr Paul Tru, who provides spiritual guidance, celebrates the sacraments, and oversees pastoral care for the parish community.

The parish operates under the governance of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, led by Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli. The parish works in collaboration with the Archdiocese to provide faith formation, evangelisation, and community outreach.

Parish ministries and volunteer groups support various aspects of parish life, including liturgy, music, cleaning, maintenance, and community support programs.

St Leo the Great Primary School

Established in 1972, St Leo the Great Primary School provides Catholic education for students from Prep to Year 6. The school is located on the same grounds as the church at 387 Mason Street and serves families from Altona North and surrounding suburbs.

The school operates under Catholic Education Melbourne and provides a faith-based curriculum integrating Catholic values, academic excellence, and community engagement. Students participate in regular school Masses, sacramental preparation, and service projects.

For enrolment information, contact St Leo the Great Primary School directly or visit the school’s website.

Parish Office and Contact Information

Address: 387 Mason Street, Altona North VIC 3025
Postal Address: PO Box 145, Altona North VIC 3025
Phone: (03) 9391 7111
Email: altonanorth@cam.org.au or stleothegreatparish@gmail.com
Website: stleothegreat.org.au

Office Hours

The parish office is open:

• Tuesday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
• Wednesday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
• Thursday: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Outside of office hours, urgent pastoral matters can be addressed by contacting Fr Paul Tru directly through the parish phone number.

Catholic Churches Near Altona North

St Leo the Great Church serves as the primary Catholic parish for Altona North and surrounding suburbs in Melbourne’s west. The parish welcomes Catholics from the following areas:

• Altona North
• Williamstown and Williamstown North
• Newport and Newport North
• Yarraville
• Spotswood
• Brooklyn
• Seaholme
• Laverton

Other Catholic parishes in Melbourne’s western suburbs include churches in Point Cook, Laverton, Sunshine, and Footscray. For a complete directory of Catholic parishes in Melbourne, visit the Archdiocese of Melbourne website.

Get Involved at St Leo the Great Parish

St Leo the Great Parish offers many opportunities for parishioners to participate in the life of the Church:

• Attend Mass: Join the community for weekend or weekday Masses
• Volunteer ministries: Support liturgy, music, cleaning, maintenance, or hospitality
• Sacramental preparation: Assist with Baptism, First Communion, or Confirmation programs
• School involvement: Support St Leo the Great Primary School through volunteering or fundraising
• Prayer groups: Participate in parish prayer meetings and devotions
• Community outreach: Contribute to charitable works and social justice initiatives

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to get involved, contact the parish office at (03) 9391 7111 or speak with Fr Paul Tru after Mass.