Vale - Gerard English

10th Nov 1942 - 27th Jan 2025

The parishes of Flemington and Kensington have lost a great champion and church custodian when Gerard English was found dead during the week. His passing comes as a deep shock even though his health had been deteriorating for some time now, and we are sadden by the loss. A big blow for Gerard had come two years ago when following an accident he was forced to give up his licence for medical reasons. But he had still attended daily Mass up until the day he died.

Gerard was raised in Essendon and his family were attached to the St. Monica’s, Moonee Ponds parish. He attended St. Bernard’s College and became a trained architect, being an expert in the design of curtain walling. He was also a great traveller, having visited most countries, travelling in unorthodox ways such as on cargo ships! He spent considerable time in Thailand and was fluent in Thai.

He had lived in Kensington since 1993 but had usually attended St. Brendan’s Church. He took responsibility for opening and closing the church, performing tasks around the sacristy and many other jobs around the church and presbytery, including Mass commentating.

He was a tower of strength in the local St. Vincent de Paul Parish Conference, each weekday fielding the calls for help from central office and visiting countless families and individuals in distress, especially in the Debney Park high-rise towers.

The two parishes have lost a cedar of Lebanon, and they have sent their prayers and condolences to his sister Mary and his niece Mary-Fran and her family. Our Dear friend Gerrard was very much loved and appreciated for all the work and support he did for both our churches.

May Gerard English rest in God’s peace and be given the eternal reward he so richly deserves.
He was a man for all seasons.

Bishop Martin Ashe - Pastoral Visitation Report

Here is the report in full version

Farewell to Fr Zaher… Best wishes and Prayers with your new appointment

After serving six months as Catholic Chaplain to Royal Melbourne Hospitals Precinct, Fr Zaher will take on a new appointment as Assistant Priest of St Mary’s Parish Greensborough and St Thomas the Apostle Parish, Greensborough North, including Sacred Heart, Diamond Creek. We pray that this new appointment will bring him grace, peace and joy. Here are some pictures of the Farewell Mass.

Bishop Martin’s Pastoral Visitation to FlemKen 25-27 Oct - News and Pics

Bishop Martin Ashe's recent pastoral visit to our parishes was a blessed, purposeful, and joyful time. It helped our parishes shine a light on the many positive ways we are carrying on the mission of Jesus Christ within our communities.

On Friday, Bishop Martin celebrated Mass at Holy Rosary for our two primary schools. Then he followed visits to each school, where he learnt of the wonderful work of our school leaders and teachers in educating and caring for their students and the diverse backgrounds and circumstances of the more than 300 students across the two schools. In the afternoon, he met with me and the staff and checked the registers and safeguarding documentation. Friday concluded with Bishop Martin meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee members over an evening meal at St Brendan’s school.

Saturday featured meeting community members and volunteers at the Canteen of Welcome at St Brendan’s and with the two parish St Vincent de Paul Conferences and Holy Rosary Ten Ton organisers – to see and hear how we give witness to our faith in reaching out to the poor and needy. Then, there was a forum with parishioners—it was very pleasing to see about 25 attendants—to discuss important questions about where Jesus is found in the life of our parish and about how and where the parish might be in 5-10 years. Bishop Martin’s thoughtful discernment through these discussions was most appreciated by those present. Visits to Lynch’s Bridge and selected families from FlemKen were a highlight of Saturday afternoon, and in the evening, Bishop Martin celebrated Mass at St Brendan’s.

Sunday featured our Holy Rosary Feast Day celebrations. Bishop Martin celebrated Mass to the accompaniment of some of the beautiful music and great participants and shared in our vibrant lunch in the Holy Rosary school hall.

We thank Bishop Martin for his time with us and for reminding us of key messages: that we celebrate the good news of Jesus by being a welcoming Church; that we are called to be an evangelising community; that we gather in worship to be formed in our faith; and that – despite being smaller parishes compared to many – we should celebrate all that we are doing well, and continue to strengthen our parishes in those areas that call for growth.

I sincerely thank all involved in so warmly welcoming Bishop Martin into our parishes and for making his pastoral visitation so positive and enriching.

Cheers and blessings

Fr Thang

Various Pictures

Holy Rosary Day 2024

Maria Pavone’s 90th Celebration

On the 15th October, 2024, Maria Pavone turned 90 years old. A parishioner since her arrival in Australia in 1956. First at Holy Rosary and after her wedding at St. Brendan’s in September 1957, she has remained an active parishioner. Over the years she has been involved in different ministries, for example: the Italian Mass and choir, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, member of the Italian Catholic Federation, Fundraising groups, Thanksgiving campaigns, different parish prayer groups and festas, not forgetting over 30 years of voluntary work with CO.AS.IT visiting parish families and aged care homes. Life has had its challenges and blessings…remaining a widow since the age of 32 after the sudden passing of her husband, she has been blessed with a daughter, Angela and her husband, 2 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. A person with untiring strength who has always given to others never wanting for herself. It was her wish to celebrate this milestone in the place she calls: HOME where strength and guidance has been given to her by God over the years. May God continue to guide and shield her as she continues to trust in His divine plan. (Angela Grasso)

St Brendan’s Day - 19 May 2024

On National Volunteer Week (20-26 May), it is quite fitting to say a Big THANK YOU to our many helpers who gave their time and skills for St. Brendan’s Day preparations on Saturday, Mass and Lunch together on the day, it is truly appreciated. The spirit of the day was truly wonderful with 290 people, especially the presence of the school community, their musical tribute indeed brought deep joy to all. We give thanks to God for all who have contributed to St Brendan’s story, who have worked to build this community of faith and who call St Brendan’s home.

Holy Rosary Day - 8 October 2023

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday’s Holy Rosary Day was a wonderful celebration in the life of St Brendan’s and Holy Rosary – Parishes in Partnership. Many thanks to the cleaners, musicians, sacristan, servers, florist, commentator and lector, people who prayed the prayers of the faithful in different languages, the staff, Pastoral Council Members and all volunteers who have catered for the refreshments. May God bless you all. Fr Thang

We welcomed back Fr Jaycee Napoles who was the main celebrant and homilist. The Prayers of the Faithful were prayed in Tagalog, Spanish, Vietnamese, Esan, Italian and English. We also had two presentations to Fr Jaycee and Fr Joe who will conclude his Hospital Chaplaincy at Royal Melbourne Precinct.

St Brenday’s Day - 21st May 2023

Praise and Thanks to our Lord for the faith-filled celebration of St Brendan’s Feast Day last Sunday. Let us count our blessings that so many people came together to honour our patron Saint whose sailing out in searching God’s direction, leads us in faith and intercedes for us. I wish to thank all those who worked very hard to prepare for the day. It was the phone calls, emails, preparation of venue, working bee, refreshment, music, readers, special ministers, servers and general organization. As always, we acknowledge our ancestors for their work in the parish and the call is for us to continue their legacy of hospitality. As a personal experience through St Brendan’s Day I am looking forward to our future gatherings especially Holy Rosary Day on 8 October 2023. With many thanks for your support and participation. Fr. Thang.

St Brenday’s Day

15th May 2022

“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” (Ps 118:24) Thanks be to God, after months and years of lockdowns and restrictions, the communities of St Brendan’s and Holy Rosary gathered to celebrate one of our feast days. The Mass count was 220! It was a wonderful day with beautiful weather. A Big THANK YOU to our many helpers who gave their time and skills in putting St. Brendan’s Day Mass and Lunch together, it is truly appreciated. The spirit of the day was truly wonderful. We give thanks to God for all who have contributed to the St Brendan’s story, who have worked to build this community of faith and who call St Brendan’s home. It was a lovely way to say Goodbye to Fr Hien Vu and Sharon Kane (former Parishes Secretary). Here are some photos.

November 28, 2018

Vietnam 2018

November 28, 2018/ Jaycee Napoles

Check out our tour photos and experience the sights and wonders of the Vietnamese landscape and friendly locals.

FOOD
Market fresh fish, vegetables and fruits were enjoyed daily

THE LOCALS
Fr. Hien and Jaycee lead a group of 12 St Brendan’s and Holy Rosary Parishioners on a 16 day adventure meeting the people and seeing the sites of Vietnam