Yet another year has almost finished at St Michael’s - in some way it feels like we have only just started the year yet here we are! I wish to take this opportunity to wish you all a very safe, happy and holy Christmas. 

We look forward to seeing you all back on Monday 31st January for the start of the 2022 school year. School gates will open from 8:30am. A tears and cheers cuppa for Foundation parents will be available in the school hall after drop off.

Farewell Monsignor John Patrick Allman PE RIP 

On Friday we received the sad news that Monsignor Allman had passed away. Please find below Bishop Greg’s reflection on the ‘Mons’. 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Monsignor John Allman early Friday morning. We give thanks for the life of Mons Allman as he gave so much to our Diocese, particularly here at St Michael’s Parish. 

He was born and raised in Denison via Heyfield, and ordained in Sale in 1951. He was a proud Gippslander, the un-official Bishop of Glengarry, who even after his official retirement, continued to offer Mass at St Columbkille’s, and then O’Mara House. He will be remembered every time we enjoy the life of Jesus through the windows in our Church. 

While he always introduced himself as Father, the name “Mons” is legend among the thousands of Catholics who encountered his welcoming ministry and found in him a priest after the heart of the Good Shepherd himself. His extraordinary ability to connect with people has meant that Catholic and non-Catholic alike found a pastoral friend: The “Mons” has held a special place in the homes and hearts of so many. Many will remember his care at the time of family grief and the deep connection he forged in the “valley darkness” and as he led them safely to “pastures green.” The hundreds of couples he accompanied to their marriage vows and the joys which they would celebrate. 

Thousands of families will recall Mons Allman at Sacraments of Initiation. Others will recall a kindly confessor at critical moments of conversion. Others still will recall his proclamation of the Word and the thousands of Masses which he celebrated uniting his priesthood to Christ. 

We mourn the loss of this great priest of Sale. We rejoice that he has enjoyed such a long and wonderful life. We are grateful for the profound witness in service of Jesus Christ and his deep devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help through whom he dedicated his life. His last Mass was celebrated on Saturday afternoon at his bedside at O’Mara House. He whispered every prayer. He gazed upon the consecrated host and chalice with eyes as though fixed on heaven: A moment when time and eternity were united. He said he knew Jesus was suffering with him and he was offering his suffering to the Lord. He blessed his bishop, clergy, people of Sale invoking the intercession of Our Lady. There was nothing more to do other than await the great victory he had preached through his words and actions the promise of eternal life. 

His life and his death will be remembered in the stories which will be told and as his name falls gently from our lips. While our hearts are saddened, we can be sure in faith that our brother John will be welcomed by the angels into paradise. We pray he now enjoys the rewards of his faithful life in the eternal presence of God to whom he dedicated his life, and in the presence of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, upon whose intercession he relied and in whose model of discipleship he lived. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. 

Bishop Greg Bennet 

FAREWELL MASS FOR FATHER FRANCIS:

Father Francis will be departing Traralgon Parish as he begins the role of Administrator at St Mary’s Cathedral Parish, Sale. A farewell Mass will be held on Sunday December 19, at 9:30am. All are invited to stay behind after Mass for a coffee and a chat in the Mary Mackillop Room, please bring a plate to share.

Kind regards

Jodie