Diocesan News
Fr Damien Heath celebrated his 70th ordination anniversary on July 22, 2026. Fr Damien was born in Casterton, one of seven children. He attended Sacred Heart School where he remembers being taught by some extraordinary Religious Sisters. He finished his schooling at St Patrick’s College in Ballarat, studied at the Werribee Seminary for eight years and was ordained at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat.
His very first public Mass was at Cavendish while based in Hamilton under Fr Dunworth. Fr Damien served for three years at the Cathedral Parish in Ballarat, followed by six years in Colac. He then travelled to Chile where he spent six life changing years. (On one day in Chile, he officiated nine weddings. On another day he officiated 97 Baptisms!) Fr Damien was the first priest from the Ballarat Diocese to work in Latin America.
Fr Damien went on to lecture in Moral Theology in seminaries in the USA, England, Ireland and Spain. He was also on the staff of the Seminary in Fiji. After returning to Australia, he was Parish Priest at Bungaree, Red Cliffs and Apollo Bay. He was also a member of the staff of Corpus Christi College Seminary in Melbourne.
He retired to Coleraine in 2007, but continued for many years to celebrate Mass with parishioners in Balmoral, Coleraine, Horsham, Tarrayoukan, Edenhope and Casterton, driving kilometres on a Sunday to celebrate Mass, through fog and frost, heatwaves and rainstorms and many, many kangaroos for many years. The community has been very grateful that he travelled as they love having him celebrate Mass.
Fr Damien’s sermons are a rich experience. Often gospel readings were examined from ancient and modern viewpoints, topped off with a little philosophy and moral theology. The political hotbed of Jerusalem during the ministry of Jesus comes alive when Fr Damien breaks open the word.
Fr Damien is well loved around the diocese but most especially in the Western District. Fr Damien once considered studying medicine rather than becoming a priest. Clearly he didn’t make his decision based on monetary gain. So many people have benefitted from the path he chose 70 years ago. His warmth, humour and amazing intellect continue to inspire so many of us.
The Western Border parish celebrated Fr Damien’s Platinum Jubilee with Mass of Thanksgiving at Sacred Heart, Casterton on Sunday, July 26. Many parishioners joined Fr Damien and his family for Mass, followed by refreshments in the hall. Bishop Mark Freeman and Fr George Kurivila, along with others from outside the parish also came to celebrate Fr Damien’s significant milestone, and the gift his priesthood has been to so many.
Congratulations, Fr Damien.
Adapted from Louise Le Nay – St Patrick’s Balmoral (2016)
1. Fr Damien pictured with the Balmoral Community 2. Fr Damien with Fr Denis Ryan, Bishop Mark and Fr Marcello Colasante (2026)