A warm welcome from Fr Joel Peart, our Parish Priest.

I was born and raised in the suburb of Gladstone Park in the north west of Melbourne. Mum and dad had the faith and took their six children to mass each Sunday at the local parish of Good Shepherd. From the parish primary school, I followed the footsteps of my father to St Bernard’s College in Essendon. I enjoyed my time there, particularly when representing the school in football, cricket and golf.

After graduating from college in 1999, I undertook a Bachelor of Business at RMIT University majoring in Logistics Management. My first year working in the industry was also one of a deeper discernment. Through prayer and encouragement from supportive priests, I was accepted for study at Corpus Christi College seminary. I was ordained to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral in September of 2015.

My first appointment from then Archbishop Denis Hart was as assistant priest at St Macartan’s in Mornington, where I was curate for two years. I had subsequent postings at Epping, Brunswick, Caroline Springs, Scoresby and was parish priest of St John’s in Heidelberg for two years. I now happily find myself as parish priest of Damascus.

It’s been a most blessed life thus far, which I am so thankful to God for. I have no doubt that there will be many more blessings and joys to be experienced during my time here in Grovedale, Torquay and Anglesea.

Fr Joel.