A message from Fr Paul Durkin
Dear Parishioners,
On Wednesday evening (2 Dec) Bishop Anthony published the full list of clergy transfers taking effect in January in our Diocese. As most of you will already know, Bishop Anthony has appointed me Parish Priest of Holy Name Parish, Wahroonga, effective 8 January 2021. He has appointed Fr Raphael Kimaro AJ, currently Parish Priest of Wyoming, as Parish Priest of Pennant Hills, effective 15 January.
Bishop Anthony has also appointed Deacon Sam French to Wahroonga Parish. Deacon Sam will be ordained to the priesthood through the course of 2021 and Holy Name will be his first parish as an ordained priest.
I am very sorry to be leaving the parish of St Agatha’s. It has been a great privilege to lead and serve the community. You will always have a special place in my heart and I shall continue to take a sincere interest in you. Fr Stephen Wayoyi AJ is continuing in the parish and will be joined by another Assistant Priest and member of the Apostles of Jesus Order, Fr Vincent Musindalo AJ.
I commend Fr Raphael Kimaro AJ to you. He is known as a dedicated priest and experienced administrator. Seminarians have found in him an approachable and trusted mentor. I know that you will make Fr Raphael and Fr Vincent very welcome and I am sure that in a short time they will feel very much at home at St Agatha’s. I ask that you keep me in your prayers, as I pray that God will continue to bless you and the community of St Agatha’s.
Fr Paul Durkin
A Message from the Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
I received a message on Wednesday to inform me that Fr Paul and Deacon Sam would be moving to Wahroonga Parish from 8th January.
I was surprised and disappointed that our Parish Priest, friend, and spiritual leader would be moving on only a few months after Bishop Anthony had reaffirmed Fr Paul’s appointment to St Agatha’s for another 6 years. However, it is not to be. We welcome Fr Raphael Kimaro as our new Parish
Priest and Fr Vincent Musindalo to join Fr Stephen as Assistant Parish Priests, who are all part of the Apostles of Jesus Order.
There are so many blessings to be grateful for at St Agatha’s and we should be appreciative of the quality of Priests that we have had and will continue to have in the future. So to formally thank Fr Paul, Deacon Sam, and to have a proper farewell for Fr Harry, we’re planning to have a Parish Lunch on Sunday 3rd January after the 10.30am Mass. (We shall check guidelines regarding this). You’re invited to bring some food & drink and come together in the Martin Hall (within COVID restrictions) to say farewell and thanks to Fr Paul, Fr Harry and Deacon Sam for their contribution to our special Parish.
On behalf of St Agatha’s Parish Pastoral Council, we hope to see you there.
God Bless and I wish you and your family a Happy & Holy Christmas,
Rob Kennaugh – Chair: PPC