Renovation is the buzz word at St. Anthony's, Edwardstown.  The parish is a hive and hub of building activity.

 St. Anthony's Church is undergoing a significant make-over including the addition of an inside chapel to provide a more intimate setting for smaller weekday Masses, private visitation and adoration. The whole church will be air-conditioned and the asbestos roof has been replaced. Flooring will be covered with a bamboo-based substance harder than jarrah. Sound dampening will soon be underway with double glazing to defeat the noise of busy South Road traffic. With a view to future cost savings, 52 solar panels have been installed atop the new roof in the shape of a cross. The solar system will offset costs of air-conditioning & lighting and insulate the parish from ever increasing charges for electricity and assist with carbon emissions reduction.

The Parish Hall is in final stages of completion, surprising many that a tired looking place could become so attractive. It now has air-conditioning, a new fully-furnished kitchen, a servery and inside toilets.

 A sheltered way between the church and hall is envisaged and old eyesore out-buildings are being removed. Even the garden at the Parish House has had a make-over. Good things can come from earlier pain. St. Maria Goretti's Church at Ascot Park was sold last year – a sad sign of the times when restructuring of Parishes has been necessary. That sale assisted with finance for the new works to service two combined communities. The new inside chapel will be named in honour of St Maria and members of that previous community. An astute finance committee has ensured that expenditure will best serve needs of the worshipping community, and make the complex attractive to others, using economic, yet effective and even novel ways of achieving these ends.

St. Anthony's R-5 Parish School also has had new buildings and renovations with government assistance. Improvements have made this a modern, comfortable and an inviting place of learning. Vacancies exist for 2012-2013.

Fr Phillip Alstin, Parish Administrator, reminds parishioners that of course the renovations are only buildings being that are being renewed – bricks and mortar and material stuff. St Anthony's is a place of spiritual renewal and renovation where people are formed and refreshed continually in God's service. St Anthony's is a friendly, welcoming parish with much happening. Demographics are changing with a homogenous blend of newcomers including refugees and migrants from a variety of countries. Passionist Family Groups engender strength of community and are a continuing source of welcome to all, including non-catholic spouses. Challenges still exist however in drawing into regular Mass-attendance, families of school attendees and the newly baptised.

A surprise discovery during reconstruction of the church was a time capsule sealed in the wall alongside the 1959 foundation stone where the church was built over tennis courts. It contained a parchment scroll with names of church, government and parish leaders of the time. Listed also are the names of children and young people (a couple still living and in the parish) who placed coins in the capsule. It will be re-interred with added coins of present children and current information.

The refurbished hall originally built in 1929 was the original Parish Church and Dominican school. It is presently being used for Mass until completion of works expected at the end of this year.