Click to see Farewell card
Very Sorry to Say Good-Bye
Dear Parishioners,
Over the past ten years we have come to know each other very well. We prayed, laughed,
worked and cried together, and now I’m afraid it’s time for me to say Good-Bye.
As I explained to you last Sunday, I am going to miss you very much. However as the Bible
says there is time for everything under heaven:-
“...a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up
what is planted; ...a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a
time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ...a time to embrace, and a time to
refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to
cast away; a time to mend, a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to
speak...” Ecclesiastes 3:1-9.
I have really enjoyed being your parish priest. Thank you for your friendship,
hospitality, kindness, love, encouragement and all sorts of support. You have really
enriched my life in many ways. Please rest assured that my time with you has been the best
of my life. I have so many beautiful happy memories of you that I will never forget. The
Good Lord has bonded us together like flesh and blood. While I commend you to the Lord,
please remember me.
Fr Michael
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” Albert Einstein.
A sample of the sentiments expressed upon learning of Fr Michael's move to Osborne Park
My Last Farewell
Dear Parishioners,
About this time 21 years ago I moved from Swanbourne to Victoria Park (It was meant to be Osborne Park). I still remember the packing, the removals, the settling in and the tears I left behind.
The same story was repeated with the Royal Australian Air Force. I meant to join in 1971. But it actually happened in 1984 and I feel good that I’m still there.
On 26 April 1990 I was appointed your Parish Priest. I remember I was just delighted with my appointment and that same delight lived with me till this very day. In the past three weeks I have explained to you how much I am going to miss you and that “there is time for everything under heaven.” While I am still coming to grips with it I understand why some of you still find it difficult to accept.
May I confess to you that since my childhood I always believed that service to God and the community at large comes first. May I also apologise to those who thought that I was appointed to Manning Park till death do us part.
Finally I would like to thank you very sincerely for the close long happy relationship we have enjoyed together. May our good work, leadership and continuity be passed on to future generations. My renewed sincere thanks for your friendship, hospitality, kindness, love, encouragement and all sorts of support. God’s blessings to you all now and always.
Yours sincerely,
Fr Michael
"Thank You" from Fr Michael
31 January 2000Dear Parishioners,
I'm writing to thank you very sincerely for your impressive farewell last Sunday.
It's rather difficult to express my gratitude for your good wishes, gifts, cards, emails and your generous monetary gift.
Some children sent me also their photos on their personal cards - that was touching! Yes, your farewell simply endorsed what I said to you in the church and it went far beyond my expectation.
May I thank in particular the Parish Pastoral Council for organising such a beautiful farewell. Doreen Panizza played my favourite hymns, the parishioners sang beautifully, others simply wanted to be in the church and at the party and there was a touch of sadness.
Special thanks to Keith Greenwell, Craig Dowsett and Eris Toop for their kind words, encouragement and good wishes.
Yes, it's nice to be missed and I was so privileged to share your life as your parish priest.
Now, I'm packing my bags and I'll treasure very happy memories of you deep in my heart. As we sang during the Mass, I will never forget you and I will pray for you.
This Sunday, 6 February I'll be celebrating two Masses and I'll be offering one for you and the other for my new parishioners at Osborne Park.
With grateful thanks and God's blessings to you all.
Yours sincerely,
Fr Michael
Manning farewells a favourite Father |
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| Last Sunday, St Pius X Manning parishioners, present and some past,
gathered in their parish centre to farewell Father Michael Gatt, their parish priest of
almost 10 years. Fr Gatt - previously at Swanbourne, Victoria Park, Moora and Gingin-Chittering - took up his position as parish priest of St Kieran's, Osborne Park, on Thursday, 3 February, after the retirement of Fr Anton Hesse. The chairman of St Pius X Parish Pastoral Council, Keith Greenwell, expressed gratitude for having had Fr Gatt's leadership and love, stewardship and stoicism. Though his moving on to another parish was originally scheduled for three-and-a-half years ago, Fr Gatt postponed this at the time, as he was involved with the planning and financing of the parish centre, a reminder of his positive outlook and energy. "St Pius X was the easiest parish I'd had to settle into up to 1990; now it's the one that I find hardest to say goodbye to," Fr Gatt said. "However, I was never appointed 'til death do us part'." "'There is a time for everything under Heaven' and I am fortunate to have really enjoyed being your parish priest." The well-known "Christmas Gatt-line," solace and help for many lonely and distressed at Christmas each year, will be continued from Fr Gatt's parish in Osborne Park. The new telephone number will be 9444 1334.
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| Glynnis Grainger - The Record 3 February 2000 | |
