It’s been two weeks since Father Michael Willemsen left the Parish of Bairnsdale to take up his new position at the Parish of Narre Warren.
While he’s sad to go, but also looking forward to his new position, Father Michael served for eight years as Bairnsdale’s Parish Priest and has been in the priesthood for 27 years.
Father Michael was a mechanical engineering draftsman until he had a change of direction in life and entered the priesthood.
Father Michael said he will not lose contact with the area, as his Dad still resides in Bairnsdale and will be back to see him often.
Speaking with local parishioners, all were sad to see Father Michael move away from the area, but like all centralised administrations, locals have little sway in what goes on in their areas.
Long term “house boss” at the Parish centre, Jenny Kelsey, said Father Michael was a great man with a real sense of humour and she would miss him at work.
The new Parish at Narre Warren for Father Michael has 1500 parishioners attending Mass every Sunday with a large percentage of the congregation migrants.
Father Michael said his new congregation, like Bairnsdale and surrounds, were very welcoming, warm and friendly.
Bairnsdale’s new Priest is Father Joseph Abutu, originally from Nigeria but has been working more recently in the Cranbourne area, began his service to the region two weeks ago.
Father Joseph will be ably assisted by Father Mark Hughes who arrived in Australia from Chennai India as teacher more than 20 years ago but was not able to find work in that area so he worked in a factory work.
He later studied nursing practicing in Melbourne but later joined the Priesthood.
Father Mark is quite a musical man who loves to sing.
