Watch a virtual tour of St Mel's Church, Shepparton South.
St Mel's Catholic Church is located at 18 Hamilton St , Shepparton. This church has been in Shepparton since 1020's.
The virtual tour is introduced by Frank Purcell of St Mel's Parish. Frank Purcell gives an overview of migration to Shepparton and surrounding districts, and introduces the various features of the Church, along with an explanation of various rituals conducted during Catholic Church services.
St Mels Church, Shepparton South from Frank Purcell on Vimeo.
Services: Sundays 9.30 am & Sundays 5.30 pm
121 Knight St, Shepparton
Phone: 03 5821 2633
Contact: Father Rob Galea
About Saint Mel - Companion of St Patrick
St Mel is said to have been the son of Conis and Darerca, the sister of St. Patrick, whom he accompanied to Ireland and helped to evangelize in that country. According to the Life of St. Brigid, he is said to have had no Cathedral Seat (a Bishop's Church), which might fit in his being a missionary. St. Patrick himself built the church at Ardagh and to this he appointed his nephew, Mel. Acting upon the example of the apostles, he supported himself by working with his hands, and what he gained beyond bare necessities, he gave to the poor.
For sometime, he lived with his aunt Lupait, but slanderous tongues spread serious accusations against them, and St. Patrick himself came to investigate their conduct. Mel was plowing when he arrived, but he cleared himself of the charge by miraculously picking up a live fish from the ground as if from a net. Lupait established her innocence by carrying glowing coals without burning herself or her clothing. St. Patrick was satisfied, but he told his nephew in future, to do his fishing in the water and his plowing on the land, and he moreover, enjoined them to avoid scandal by separating, living and praying far apart. St. Mel's feast day is February 6.
