The Funeral Mass for Fr Frank Smith CSsR was held at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Wendouree, on Friday, August 25 at 10.30 am.  Fr Frank died on August 2 at Berengarra Residential Aged Care Facility, Kew.

Fr Frank was born at Colac Hospital, Victoria on November 20, 1944. He was educated first by the Mercy Sisters at St. Bernard’s Primary School, Belmont then to St. Joseph’s College, Newtown until year 8. In 1958 Fr Frank entered the Redemptorist Juniorate in Galong, NSW.  He studied at Ballarat from 1963-1966, professing his final vows on August 2, 1966 and ordained to the Priesthood on March 16, 1969 by +James D. O’Collins in the Ballarat Cathedral.   More details of his ministry can be found in Fr Frank’s Funeral Mass book.

In 2004 Fr Frank came back to Ballarat as the founder of the Wendouree West Exodus Community.   Vin Dillon wrote, “Fr Frank quickly made it clear that his focus would be on empowering local community members to identify, use and develop their own particular giftedness. Regular formation and the centrality of prayer and reflection were features of what was offered to the community.  Fr Frank did not confine his ministry to Wendouree West. He was a much loved member of the OLHC Parish Community, often presiding at Sunday Masses and on other sacramental occasions.”  Vin wrote on his farewell when Fr Frank moved to The Redemptorist Community in Kew in 2018, read more here.

Below is the livestream of the funeral for those not able to attend in person.