Your Parish team

I am delighted to be back in East Gippsland, having lived on the Tambo at Swan Reach in 1986-7 and at the Bairnsdale presbytery during my 'pastoral year' with Fr Mahony in 1998.

I have happy memories from those years, even though they include a loss to Orbost in the 1987 Grand Final, when I was playing for Lakes Entrance FC. Another treasured memory is my ordination to diaconate at St Mary's in 2000. Bishop Coffey then ordained me a priest the following year in Sale.

After serving in the Parishes of Traralgon, Iona and Koo Wee Rup, 2016 marks my return to the diocese after six years on the staff at the seminary in Melbourne (www.corpuschristicollege.org.au), which was like being in an aquarium: a wonderful place, but it ain't the ocean!   

Paul comes to the position of Parish Business Manager with extensive experience in small business and corporate business management across a number of sectors. His responsibilities in the Parish are the overall financial and facilities management including, obligations for working with children and vulnerable adults, occupational health and safety and protection of Parish assets. He brings a focus on “people” to his position.

Paul can be contacted directly on: 0418 377 076

Michael Flynn works from the Parish Centre in Nicholson Street, Tuesday-Friday, and supports Fr Michael, Paul, and Michelle in the everyday life of the Parish. The tasks are many and varied and include being the first point of contact; maintaining St Mary’s data base; helping to prepare the bulletin; writing a weekly email for all parishioners; welcoming people who come into the Parish Centre with general enquiries or suggestions; and maintaining contact with our outlying Churches.

I feel truly blessed to be working for St Mary’s Parish and to be able to contribute to our Church. I am a member of the Loss and Grief Group, the Social Justice Group, the Liturgy Team, and am an ex officio member of the Parish Pastoral Council. My background lies in Counselling and Social/Community Welfare and I extend a warm invitation to you all to drop in to the Parish Centre for a talk, or just a cup of tea or coffee.

Telephone: 5152 2942   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Michelle Grimsted works from the Parish Centre in Nicholson Street to support the community who wish to undertake the Sacraments of Initiation -  Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. I aim to provide contemporary teaching approaches, built on the foundation of sound theology and strong Scriptural bases.   The opportunity to work in partnership with families, parish/non-parish based schools, and adults is such a privilege. I endeavour to build trusting respectful relationships to make a difference in people’s faith journey with God.

A warm invitation is extended to meet and discuss how I can support you, in growing in the knowledge of the fullness of life through the Sacraments, in Christ Jesus.

Telephone: 5152 2942    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.