Fr Thang’s - Consultation Process Announcement v4 at
12th July at 5.30pm Mass & 13th July at 9am & 10.30am Mass 2025

Overview
In view of the shortage of priests, the decline in Church attendance, and the high level of maintenance in various parishes, the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has been undertaking a journey called Taking the Way of the Gospel to consolidate parish communities across the Archdiocese for several years. This journey aims to provide parishes with ongoing access to spiritual support and services by consolidating existing resources and streamlining parish administrative activities.
The parishes of St. Brendan’s and Holy Rosary have been partnered for over 20 years, with the combined Pastoral Council and Finance Team, but have been operating administratively and financially as two separate entities.

It is now considered appropriate to move forward together as a single, unified body, while respecting the unique identity and history of each of the two parishes. As one amalgamated parish, we can better plan and deliver the services, and facilities, required by our parish community in the coming years. An amalgamated parish will eliminate inefficiencies that arise in duplicated administration and finance operations and provide access to a broader range of shared services across both church communities.

What will change with amalgamation?
The process of amalgamation will involve the formal recognition of both parish communities as a single entity for management, administrative and financial purposes. There will be little or no change externally, but it will simplify the process of running the broader parish, which in turn will ensure parishioners have effective access to ongoing administrative and support services.
Given the shared postcode, 3031, and the geographical location of each church, each primary school, and each church community will continue to retain their individual name.

A simpler level of financial management and reporting will be established, with a single set of Church accounts for the new Parish. Income, assets, and properties belonging to St Brendan’s will be consolidated and managed at the single Parish level.

What happened so far?
Since November 2023, a combined Saturday Mass, alternating between churches, has taken place.  We have been praying for St. Brendan’s and Holy Rosary parishes in partnership as we begin the journey of becoming one parish since March of this year.  The proposed amalgamated journey has involved numerous steps, including the endorsement of the combined Pastoral Council and the Finance Team.  In addition, a Planning Group has been formed from two Parishes with the assistance of the Archdiocese. 

Consultation Process
On the weekend of the 12th and 13th of July 2025, we are formally initiating a consultation process regarding our proposed amalgamation.  This process, mandated by church law, involves gathering feedback and holding meetings with parishioners at both churches to ensure that your input is considered in the proposed changes. The consultation aims to ensure the pastoral needs of parishioners are addressed in the decision-making process.

At the conclusion of this process, Fr Thang will submit a report to the Council of Priests requesting amalgamation, which will include a summary of feedback from the community meetings. It is expected that the amalgamation process will be finalised by 30 November 2025.

Key dates and timelines
In the coming weeks, the key dates and timelines will be available on the bulletin and Website.

For any queries, please contact the Parish Office 03 9412 8495 / 0451 237 577
or email flemken@cam.org.au (subject amalgamation)