Thank you Fr Matt

On the weekend of April 26/27 the Ministry District of the Ballarat East Parish, Bungaree Parish and Gordon Parish said goodbye to Fr Matt who is taking up his role as assistant priest in the Star of the Sea parish, South West Coast where he will minister to the people of the South West Coast Parish, which includes Greater Warrnambool, Koroit, Port Fairy and surrounds.

On Sunday, April 27, a crowd of over seventy members from the Ministry District gathered at the Wallace hotel for lunch to thank and farewell Fr Matt. Although only with the Ministry District for 12 months, the high attendance was a tribute to the contribution Fr Matt had made over his time with us.

An offer of prayers and best wishes were also extended to Fr Matt as he takes up his new appointment at Warrnambool. Fr Matt expressed his enjoyment and gratitude for the past 12 months and although sad to leave, was looking forward to his new appointment.

This function was the first formal gathering of the three Parishes in the Ministry District. Its success created a sense of belonging, optimism and hope for the future as we find our way forward.

Fr Matt, we thank you for all you have done and wish you well in the future.

A word from Fr Matt:

Parishioners of Ballarat East, Bungaree & Gordon Parish – Thank you!

Thank you for your generous welcome, support and kindness as I had the opportunity of walking beside
you over the last 12 months. Priesthood for me is significantly about imitating Christ the Good Shepherd, to be present to those who have been entrusted to our spiritual care. I have been humbled by your openness, and felt privileged by the way you welcomed me into your communities and lives. To share your joys and sorrows and to help you raise your experience, mind and heart to God in prayer through it all helped me feel the presence of Christ’s grace in the Church body in which we live.

Please keep me in your prayers as our Pilgrim Journey together takes a different path for a time, that I may be happy & holy as we all are created to be as we live out our vocations.
God bless you!
Fr Matt

We are a community of communities from the Murray to the sea.
Inspired by the Gospel and nourished by the Eucharist, we follow the example of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, reaching out in joyful and humble service, caring for all of God’s creation, growing in love day by day and looking forward to life with God forever.

Diocesan Vision Statement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands in which the Diocese of Ballarat sits. We would like to pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and future. Their wisdom can help us care for the earth, our common home.

- Acknowledgement of Country -