Fr Anthonys 80th Birthday and Patronal Feast Day

Happy Birthday Fr Anthony!

On Sunday, 27 September, we celebrated a wonderful feast; both our Patronal Feast day, Saint Mary Star of the Sea, and Fr Anthony's 80th birthday.

Fr Anthony, our former parish priest, but still actively involved at St Marys, was parish priest for 10 years from 3 March 2013 when he was installed as parish priest by Archbishop Hart, until 3 March 2023 when Fr Andrew was installed as our current parish priest.

During Fr Anthony's time at St Mary's, he was involved in various projects; one was overseeing the construction of the Holy Family statue which was made in Madrid - Fr Anthony travelled there for the Beatification of Blessed Alvaro and checked on the progress of the statue while there. He also added another two statues in the church. With Fr Anthony's vision, and together with parishioner Trudi's artistic flair, they redesigned a statue of an angel to become Archangel Raphael as we now have it, as he desired that all three archangels be represented. Then he and Trudi did the same with the statue of St Nicholas. Fr Anthony also allowed the Filipino community to make St Mary's the home for their Black Nazarene statue for them to celebrate their Masses and feast days throughout the year, and he also continued the project of the parish's Processional Monstrance which for a period of time, was used during Corpus Christi processions.

But throughout his time as parish priest, not only his projects, but his charm, friendship, wisdom, his teaching, dedication to his vocation, and inspirational devotion to our Lord and our Lady, made many good friends, inspired faith and devotion, and left his own unique and valuable mark on the parish community, and this was evident during his birthday celebration.

Happy 80th birthday Fr Anthony, may God bless you, and bring you much joy and an abundance of fruit for your life.