of St Kieran's Parish Osborne Park
Archbishop Barry James Hickey officially installed Fr Michael Gatt
as the new Parish Priest of St Kieran's, at the 8.30am Mass on Sunday 5 March 2000.
The Archbishop welcomes the people
The Catholic Parish of Osborne Park has a new parish priest following Father Michael Gatt's installation by The Reverend Barry Hickey, Archbishop of Perth, on Sunday 5th March. Appropriately, the installation date coincided with the feastday of Saint Kieran, patron saint of the parish. Father Gatt, formerley of the Manning Parish, takes over from Father Anton Hesse who retired from permanent priestly duties.
The Installation took place during the Mass concelebrated by the Archbishop and Father Gatt, preceded by a procession which included members of the Parish Pastoral Council led by its chairman Paul Lynch. Readings were delivered by Mayor Tony Vallelonga, City of Stirling and Dr Paul Psaila-Savona.
During the rite of installation, symbols of the pastoral ministry, including the book of the Holy Scriptures, Baptismal water, blessed oil, and keys of the church were passed to Father Michael, signifying the transfer of responsibility of his new position.
Archbishop Hickey, in his homily, made the point that a parish priest, like the conductor of an orchestra, brings all together within his parish; including the Pastoral Council, the financial matters, the help for the poor and the sick of the parish. He added, "I ask you to reflect on the role that the parish plays in the Church's formation. Leadership was part and parcel of Christ's plan as He sent His apostles out to form the numerous Christian communities in Asia Minor, Rome, and other areas.
Father Gatt spoke briefly saying that his fervent hope was to live out his personal motto to be 'All Things To All People' (Omnia Omnibus) in his new assignment at St. Kieran's.
