At the end of the year, I want to extend my gratitude to all of you for your welcome and support. Thank you also to the legion of volunteers who contribute to the life of our parish. I am particularly grateful to Deacon Royden, Jasna Brdar, Gudrun Philipp, and the members of the Mission Team and Finance Committee.

The Lord Jesus is the centre and life of our parish. Through the parish, we follow Jesus to heaven and help Him reach others. Everything the parish does is directed to this objective. It is worth taking a moment to reflect on what God has been doing in the parish this year.

In January, Fr Daryl departed to take up his appointment as First Year Formator at Corpus Christi College and I commenced as Administrator. Sinulog was also held in January. During February I began getting to know the parish, visiting several parishioners for meals. We also launched Spark, our high-school aged youth group, as well as an Alpha course. In February, I also began getting a handle on the parish finances, meeting with the Finance Committee and appointing our accountant. Throughout March, preparations for Holy Week intensified, with our combined choir rehearsing weekly. The Holy Week ceremonies were a beautiful and prayerful immersion into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord. In April, the parish celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday and we hosted the annual St Vincent de Paul Society Mass at Lara. Throughout May, many parishioners participated in the study course on the Eucharist called Presence. We also ran training for our readers across both churches. In June, parishioners travelled to Melbourne for the Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession at the seminary. After I returned from annual leave, August saw the launch of our young adults’ group, as well as recruitment of new members to the Mission Team and Finance Committee. September began with the release of my first Parish Finance Statement. Jasna and I attended the parish administration forum. We also resumed monthly communion services at Costa House for the first time since 2019, hosted the Cenacle Mass, and commenced RCIA. In October, we launched weekly children’s catechesis, commenced another Alpha series, prayed a public rosary for the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and held our Parish Trivia Night. In November, the lighting was upgraded at St Anthony’s church, we hosted the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia for a women’s retreat day, and I held an end of year dinner with the Mission Team. Finally, December has seen end of year dinners for Spark and Hearts for Christ, end of year school Masses, and the dawn Masses. All of this is in addition to regular activities such as Masses, Holy Hour, Confessions, Church Café, Parish BBQ, Saturday Supper, sacrament preparation courses, Baptisms, Funerals, and Weddings. I’m exhausted just thinking about it!

During January, I hope you have time to rest and rejuvenate ahead of what is sure to be another big year next year!