MSC Farewell to King’s Meadow

MSC BID FAREWELL TO THE PARISH OF ST PETER'S KINGS MEADOW LAUNCESTON

WEEKEND OF 10-11 DECEMBER 2022

Large numbers of parishioners gathered for both the Vigil Mass on 10th and for the 9.30am Mass on 11th as part of the farewell for Fr Des Holm and to mark the closure of MSC ministry in the parish. Chris McPhee, as Provincial Superior presided at the Sunday morning Mass with Des and Philip Malone (MSC Community Leader) joining Chris at the Altar.

Vince Carroll MSC, visiting from Toowoomba, was also in the congregation.

Morning tea following the Sunday morning Mass provided an opportunity for a large number of parishioners to share memories with Des and each other, recalling with fondness also each of the previous MSC Parish Priests.

Ian Dalton acting as MC invited the Provincial, the Community Leaser and the Chair of the Parish Council to speak.

Chris outlined briefly a history of MSC ministry in the area from 1906 and the sixty years of MSC working in the Parish. He also explained why the choice to leave was not easy but sadly became necessary given the decline in the number of MSC actively engaged in Parish ministry. At the same time he emphasised that parish ministry is a heart ministry and because the Parishioners had spirituality of the heart as their foundation - this would continue into the future.

The Community Leader, on behalf of the MSC community, thanked Des for his membership of and contribution to our Community, particularly given the isolation imposed by covid these past few years.

And the Chair of the Pastoral Council spoke warmly of the shared ministry of Des as parish priest and parishioners. Special mention was made of the welcome Des offered to new settlers in the Parish - especially the Timorese Community, and his dedication to the local school.

A presentation was made to Des of a beautiful plaque, adding to an earlier album in which each of the school children had drawn their portrait of Fr Des and offered a greeting or comment.