Dear School Community,

It’s good to be back. Not because it’s the start of the school year, but because I was a parishioner here for 10 years from 1989. Our family home was in Roy Close, Narre Warren North (next to Mary MacKillop Primary). My father and mother are Bernie and Connie and I am 57, the fifth of six children. You can see who my football team is from the photo with Fr Brendan. It’s a selfie taken at the elimination final last season. Carlton won by 6 points. We’re still friends and enjoy the occasional game of golf together as well as going to the footy.

I have felt warmly welcomed by everyone in the three weeks so far, especially our hard working staff in the Parish Office. Fr Ajin ensured that my start here was smooth and he has been very patient and generous with me. I’ve enjoyed some of Anthony’s Vietnamese cooking in the presbytery and I’m looking forward to accompanying him to the seminary on February 18 when he begins his formation to be a priest for our Diocese. Please continue to pray for him and encourage him. 

As we begin this new chapter of Parish life together at Our Lady Help of Christians, I look forward to further opportunities to be with the school community now that the commencement Mass has been celebrated. I am committed to building on the 13 year legacy of Fr Brendan and the priests before him. This Parish is very different to Bairnsdale, where I was for 8 years while also being the Parish Priest of Lakes Entrance and Orbost. But, having been born in Dandenong and raised in Doveton, I continue to feel quite at home here.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr Michael