I wish to inform you that Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has announced a new appointment for Fr Hoang Dinh. He will become the Assistant Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, St Albans. This appointment will take effect on 10 December 2025. At the same time, our parish will also welcome a new Assistant Priest, Fr Ian Vergel, who was ordained at St Patrick’s Cathedral on 20 September this year.
I am sure I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that it is very sad to farewell Fr Hoang after nearly three years of wonderful and dedicated service to our parish community as our priest. Throughout his time here, Fr Hoang has been a compassionate presence, always ready to lend a listening ear to those in need. His pastoral care – especially through his visits to the sick, the homebound, and residents in aged care facilities to offer Holy Communion – has brought comfort, hope, and joy to many. His work in partnership with school communities, especially in coordinating school Masses and events with school leaders, has created many good connections and strengthened relationships not only with children but also with teachers and families.
Personally, since the beginning of my own appointment, Fr Hoang has been a great source of support and encouragement. We have enjoyed living under the same roof – exchanging ideas and opinions, sharing household duties, preparing meals, and learning from each other. These moments have been meaningful and special. I often say that I have picked up a great deal of English from him, and I hope he has taken away a few words of Vietnamese from me in return.
There will be opportunities in coming weeks for us to celebrate and farewell Fr Hoang, and to express our gratitude and appreciation for his wonderful contribution to our parish community.
Let us keep Fr Hoang in our prayers during this time of transition, and wish him all the very best in this new chapter. May this new appointment enable him to bring rich blessings to the people he is called to serve, and may he continue to find joy in living out his priestly ministry that God has given him through the Church.
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
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Margaret Ryan says:
We will miss you Fr Hoang very much. Sacred a heart St Albans is a fabulous parish. I was at the funeral for Fr John O’Reilly, longtime parish priest there and so many, many people came! They loved him, such a magnificent leader and pastoral priest. Church full one hour before the Mass and church hall too!! You will love that multicultural church of deep faith, Margaret Ryan RSM
Laura Facci says:
So sorry to see you leave us Father Hoang, but thank you for your dedicated service to us over the last three years. We wish you every Blessing in your new Parish.
Laura & Fulvio Facci
Mary Kotefski says:
Wishing you all the best Father Hoang, you have been absolute pleasure and integral part of our parish community, you will be missed.
Blessings always
Mary Kotefski