Farewell lunch for Fr Shane

 

The parishes of Bungaree and Gordon recently held a combined farewell lunch for Fr Shane Mackinlay, who has been appointed as Bishop of Sandhurst. Damian Ryan, Bungaree Parish Leadership Team, was MC for the day and welcomed all present including members of Fr Shane’s family, his father Malcolm, his sister and brother-in-law Karen and Brendan Madden, Bishop Paul Bird CSsR and Fr Des FitzGerald CSsR.  Fr Des will be providing sacramental ministry in the two parishes until January 2020.

Chris Kavanagh, Principal of St Brendan’s Primary School Dunnstown and St Mary’s Primary School Clarkes Hill, opened the day with a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the many activities Fr Shane undertakes in our parish, especially with the parish schools. We were well entertained with the many “faces of Shane” presentation.  Bishop Paul was then welcomed to lead us in prayer and thanksgiving before our meal and also extended his congratulations to Fr Shane on his appointment.

Following lunch, representatives of the two parishes expressed their appreciation to Fr Shane.  Sr Pam Barlow rsm, formerly of the Gordon Parish, thanked Fr Shane for his support and guidance during her time with the parish.  Michael Winter, Chair of the Gordon Parish Council, acknowledged with gratitude the opportunity Fr Shane gave to us to reflect on the week past and his words to prepare us for the week ahead. Fr Shane has been visiting priest at the Gordon Parish for ten years. Leah Hanrahan, Bungaree Parish Safeguarding Officer, presented us with the sacramental statistics Fr Shane has performed during his fourteen years as Parish Priest of Bungaree, including two hundred and seventy baptisms. This reminded us all what an important part of our lives Fr Shane has been over a long period of time. The parishes then presented him with a framed photo of all the parish churches and Bungaree Presbytery.  Fr Shane then responded with his usual good humour and expressed his thanks to all those in these communities who welcomed him into their parish and into their families.

We wish Fr Shane well in his new role in Bendigo. We will miss him not only as our priest, but more importantly as our friend.

Many thanks to Damian Ryan and the Bungaree Parish Leadership Team for the organisation of the day, which was enjoyed by many and the staff of the Bungaree Community Centre.

Julie Boyd
Bungaree Parish

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Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 12.00noon
at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo,
which will be live streamed at
www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au