I am very pleased to welcome Delisa Gonsalves as our new Pastoral Associate, effective 16 September 2026. Before coming to work with us, Delisa held the same position at the Parish of St John Paul II, Armadale and Toorak for more than seven years. While working there, Delisa also helped out at St Mary’s, Dandenong to coordinate and prepare children for the Sacraments, while building and strengthening the relationship with the parish school community (2025–2026). In addition, she assisted at St Simon’s, Rowville to implement the Victorian Child Safe Standards by using the Archdiocese’s safeguarding self-assessment tool (2019–2020).
At the Parish of Our Lady of Pentecost, Delisa will coordinate and work with the parish liturgical committees for all liturgical celebrations in the life of our parish. She will work alongside our parish staff and relevant parish groups and committees to develop and implement strategies that help strengthen the parish. This will then allow the parish to grow and foster a sense of community spirit, where every parishioner feels welcomed and connected to each other, including the Parish Life Team, Hospitality Team, and Lifelong Learning Committee.
In addition, Delisa will coordinate the Holy Communion to the sick ministry across the parish, including working with the coordinators of the various aged care facilities and hospitals within the parish boundaries. She will also help promote a stronger relationship with the staff and families of our parish primary schools, in relation to parish and school activities. Furthermore, Delisa will assist with communication and promotion of pastoral activities within the parish.
Finally, Delisa will work with Katarina Steele, our Sacrament Coordinator, to coordinate and monitor safeguarding processes and procedures across the parish, to build a culture where everyone feels safe, cared for and welcomed.
We welcome Delisa into our community and thank her for saying yes to sharing her life, her faith, and her talents and gifts as she takes on this special role of Pastoral Associate for our parish community.
On another note, I will be taking my annual leave from Tuesday, 29 September to Friday, 16 October. Apart from reuniting with all of my siblings, nieces, and nephews for a short trip to Phan Thiet, on the South Central Coast of Vietnam; I will be joining Sinh’s family to celebrate his father’s, my brother-in-law’s, first death anniversary. After that, I will visit the parish where a brother of mine serves, to attend the Mass for the opening of a new church for one of the local communities in his area. A couple of days later, I will join another brother to celebrate the installation Mass as a newly assigned parish priest in the missionary diocese of Kon Tum.
Yes, it is quite a ‘religious holiday,’ but I will try to make sure to have a good rest after all of this and come back refreshed.
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Tue - Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
Ray says:
May the Lord God go with you on your well earned holiday, Sang.
Sharon Freeman says:
Sang, have a great holiday with your family – well deserved. And great to hear about Delisa. Her experience will be invaluable to the needs and growth in the parish.
Jim Boyle says:
Best wishes Sang for an opportunity to enjoy and deepen ties within your family and community. I trust you will get some well earned relaxation.
Jim B
Michele Toussaint says:
Safe travel Sang. Enjoy your well deserve break and your time with the family.
May your break be a fun time as well
Blessing Michele
Jim says:
A busy schedule Sang, but some joyous celebrations too! Safe travels and come back refreshed!