A Note from the Dean

Very Rev Fr Gerry Kalinowski 

Greetings to the Deanery!

When the Archbishop phoned and asked me to be Dean of Brisbane West, I happily accepted.  At the time I was moving into the Parish of Corinda Graceville.  I am conscious that I am on a learning curve of adjustment back into Parish Ministry after fourteen years training Priests at our Provincial Seminary at Banyo.  The evolving nature of Church is that the broader vision of Deanery is also very important.  So it is humbling to be asked to take on the role of Dean, as well as being very exciting.

I am grateful to Fr Tim Harris for his fine leadership as the previous Dean.  He has done a terrific job in bringing the Deanery together and engendering the Archbishop's vision for the Church in this area.  We wish him well and pray for him as he takes up his appointment at the Parish of Surfers Paradise.

I particularly want to thank the Priests of the Deanery.  They have been working tirelessly and very faithfully over many years in the different Parishes.  They continue the Lord's work in the vineyard on a regular day to day basis.  For their leadership of prayer and pastoral care the Church is very indebted.

The first Deanery event I attended was the Deanery Youth Mass at Jindalee.  I was able to be there while the rehearsals and preparation for the Mass were happening.  There was a great deal of energy and tremendous spirit that I know flowed into the Liturgy, the meal and the catechesis that followed.  Many thanks to Michael Doherty, our Deanery Projects Officer, and to all who helped organise and participate in this celebration.

I will soon meet with the Deanery Youth Ministry Team.  After the success of the Youth Mass, the Team is now busy planning a Trivia Night for the young adults of the Deanery, to be held at St Ignatius Hall Toowong, on Friday 1st October, at 7.30pm.

It has been impressive to see the amount of special events across several Parishes within the Deanery in the past few weeks alone, such as Toowong's Women's Night of Spirituality, the monthly Ongoing Learning and Renewal Program at Kenmore, and the recent day of reflection on "Jesus and His Good News" led by Fr Bill O'Shea and Margaret Green at Corinda Graceville.  The vitality of each Parish and the Deanery as a whole is very evident.

I also look forward to working with the Deanery Pastoral Council.  Since their beginnings this year they have coalesced into a good working group.  They will certainly help in providing a forum for Deanery views and shaping our pastoral response in the region.

Michael Doherty has done a superb job in the transition time between Deans.  He has promoted the various Deanery events that have occurred, as well as planning for what lies in the future.  The Deanery is very lucky to have such a capable Projects Officer.  From my experience with him to date, I know that he is a pleasure to work with and that the ongoing practical Deanery operations are in excellent hands.

With God's help, may the good work that has begun, continue to evolve into ever more expressions of God's Kingdom present amongst us.  Please pray for me and my ministry in the Deanery that lies ahead.  I am looking forward to working with you and co-creating the Kingdom of God in the area. God bless us all.   

Very Rev Fr Gerry Kalinowski

Dean - Brisbane West Deanery