Dear Parishioners,
In the last couple of weeks, upon the invitation of Archbishop Comensoli, I accepted a new appointment to the Parishes of Brunswick, West Brunswick, East Brunswick, and Moreland, beginning November 2024. After eighteen years at Deepdene, fourteen years at Balwyn, eight years at Camberwell and four years at Surrey Hills Wattle Park, I believe the time has come for me to take on a new challenge. Of course, it will be incredibly hard to leave these wonderful communities where I have spent over half of my life as a Priest. I have made lasting friendships and shared joys, sorrows, laughter and grief with so many of you.
Our parishes are in a great position for a transition to a new Parish Priest. The recent feedback on the amalgamation process has been overwhelmingly positive. The Parish Council has therefore recommended that we bring forward the timeline for the amalgamation of our parishes and complete that process before my departure. I am committed to bringing that process to completion and forming the new Parish of Our Lady of Pentecost. This is the perfect time to hand over to a new Parish Priest to work with our talented professional staff group and our Parish Council and Parish Finance and Investment Committee along with the many groups and ministries that make up our communities.
Archbishop Comensoli is cognisant of the major transition that this will be for our parish communities and has responded in two ways. First of all, he has created a significant lead time for the transition, so I will not be leaving until November this year. Secondly, he has made an immediate appointment with our parishes to enable a smooth and thorough handover. I am pleased to announce that Father Sang Ho will be the next Parish Priest of Camberwell, Balwyn Deepdene and Surrey Hills Wattle Park. Many of you will know Father Sang from his time among us as Assistant Priest at Camberwell, Balwyn and Deepdene. Since he left us, Sang has gone on to be Parish Priest of St Bernard’s, Belmont and completed further studies in Parish Governance and Administration. Father Sang is looking forward to taking up the challenge and working with what will be (hopefully) a newly amalgamated parish.
Over the next few months, there will be more opportunities to plan for the future and to celebrate the many things we have done over the last four, eight, fourteen, and eighteen years. I look forward to enjoying these remaining months with you and am committed to a smooth and complete transition to Father Sang and our future amalgamated parish.
Best wishes,
Published: 28 June 2024
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Tue - Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
Pamela Fraser says:
Congratulations on your new appointment we will be ever thankful to you for all you have accomplished you will be missed
Welcome to Father Sang Ho
Mary-Anne, Jacinta and Rebekah. says:
Have enjoyed our connection over the years and your support at various points in our lives – highs and lows. Good luck with your new appointment and welcome back Father Sang.
Patricia Watkinson says:
Fr Brendan i will miss your weekly words of wisdom .i pry for you and you new parishioners.
i am grateful to have been one of your parishioners.
with prayers of gratitude together with best wishes
Patricia
Fulvio & Laura Facci says:
Dear. Father Brendan we will miss you and your reflection pieces greatly.Whilst we are relatively new parishioners, we have always appreciated the genuine warmth of the OLCG community and your personal care for and interest in your parishioners.
We wish you every success in your new parishes, if anyone can handle amalgamations, you can. God Bless you always.
Laura and Fulvio Facci
Michael & Maria Linda De Sousa says:
Dear Father Brendan
We will miss you as you move to another challenge of amalgamating the Parishes of Brunswick, West Brunswick, East Brunswick, and Moreland. We are relatively new parishioners and really appreciate a culture of warmth and closeness you have created at the Parishes of Deepdene, Balwyn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills Wattle Park that will become the new Parish of Our Lady of Pentecost. We wish you the very best in your new challenge and look forward to keeping in touch as we welcome Father Sang.
Thank you Father Brendan !
Michael & Maria Linda De Sousa