Fr Joe Taylor is one of 5 siblings, originally from Lockington/Echuca. He studied in Melbourne and was ordained in 1974. He currently serves as Parish Priest of both Shepparton and Dookie. He is the Vicar General of the Diocese. He loves to read and watch movies. He also enjoys a good daily walk with Mausgras the dog.
My name is Tiff Chandler. I live in Shepparton with my husband Scott and two sons Isaac and Abel.
I work for Notre Dame College as the Project Based Learning Leader (PBL) and teach PBL Science and Religious Education. I was born in Hamilton, Vic and have lived in Shepparton since 1999 and have been a part of the St. Brendan’s parish community since late 2018, when I began my RCIA journey. I have the privilege and honour of being a member of the RCIA team as we walk beside people in their faith journey. I am also a part of the Adult Faith Education Ministry: To Know Him is to Love Him which is a guided discussion through the Catechism of the Catholic Church - which I am thoroughly enjoying.
I am looking forward to working with Fr Joe and the other members of the PPC to ensure St Brendan’s Parish thrives as a community of Faith.
My name is John Cortese. I am Principal of Notre Dame College, having taken up the role at the start of 2013. I grew up in Merrigum on a dairy farm. My schooling was completing Prep at Merrigum PS, Grades 1-10 (incl.) at St Augustine’s in Kyabram and HSC at St Colman’s in Shepparton (which, after a merger with Sacred Heart College, is now Notre Dame College. I completed B.Sc (Ed) at Melbourne University, followed by a variety of post grad studies at Melbourne University and online courses at Harvard University. My lovely wife Sue is a Kyabram girl. My children are Stephanie (25 yo Physio in Bendigo) and Nathan (22 yo studying at Melb Uni). I have 2 older sisters (one who lives in Mooroopna) and a twin brother (who lives in Shepparton). I have taught in metropolitan and rural schools in DEECD all my life in 4 different Regions. I was a long term teacher at Mooroopna SC (12 years) and for 12 years was Principal of Red Cliffs SC. For the past 4.5 years, I worked in the Regional Office at Ballarat (last 2.5 years as Assistant Regional Director). Sport is one of my great loves. During my football career, I played at Merrigum, Uni Blues, Melbourne FC (2nds), and Tongala and Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley Football League. I was fortunate to achieve Premierships and B&Fs through my careers and often reflect on the people I met through football. I play social tennis and cricket. The mighty dees (Melbourne FC) are my team of choice. I have a passionate belief that schools have a responsibility to develop young men and women who fit into our society and who also strive to be leaders in our world. Our schools must ensure that these students have the desire and passion as well as the ability, knowledge and skills to “right” the many ills and wrongs that exist in our world. Our schools have the responsibility to educate our students (make them literate and numerate). Our schools must develop a caring person who strives for personal success and betterment but also strives for success and betterment for all mankind. To achieve this second part, our schools must develop leadership skills in our students. I am a huge believer in using QUOTES. One of the most powerful ones that I use refers to students view of teachers, namely: “They will not care how much you know until they know how much you care” by Aristotle.
My name is Paula Stevenson, I am Principal at St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School. I have been involved in the school and Parish since 1977 when I first began as a Prep teacher at St. Brendan's. I am married to Phil and have four children, Alana , Kate(DEC) Clare and Xavier. Our children all attended St. Brendan's and Notre Dame. I am very passionate about Catholic Education and allowing children to develop spiritually, academically , socially and emotionally. It is great to be involved in the Parish Pastoral Council as our school has a strong connection to our Parish and we want to be involved in different events with the Parish.
I am the Principal of St. Luke's Catholic Primary School. I started my teaching in 1996 in Young, NSW. I spent 11 years in Young. In 2007 I moved to St. Anne's Temora as Deputy Principal. My last 4 years at St. Anne's was as the Principal, before coming to Shepparton. I am originally from Griffith, NSW and I am the youngest of 4 children. My family all live in Griffith. I went to Aquinas, ACU Ballarat, so I had some experience in Victoria many years ago. I am married to Nicole and we have two children, Clancy and Matilda. Clancy attends St. Luke's and Matilda is at Notre Dame College. I love teaching and seeing young people grow. Life is full of challenges and I get to help people through these. My parents and my own educators supported my faith journey. From the Josephite sisters, to the Marist brothers, I have been blessed with great support. Education does start at home, and I thank my Mum and Dad. This parish is sensational and I love being a part of it.
Born Ballarat 1966 One of Seven children
Married to Rosey with six children
Dairy farmer until 2010
Studied in Christian Theology Foundation
Working in pastoral care at St Brendans and Mercy aged care.
Interest’s Family, sport footy, golf, training and trialling Kelpie’s to work stock.
Born and bred in Bendigo, Fr Jackson Saunders attended St Monica's, Primary School in Kangaroo Flat and Catholic College Bendigo.
He worked full-time for five years after graduating from secondary school. Firstly, as a reporter at the Bendigo Advertiser and then as a Youth Ministry Worker for the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst.
He entered the seminary in February 2015 studying both at Corpus Christi College in Carlton and at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. His training saw him serve in the Parishes of Wangaratta and Moyhu, St Kilian's in Bendigo and Echuca.
He was ordained as a deacon on November 19, 2021, and as a priest on March 26, 2022. Both ordinations took place at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo.
His appointment as Assistant Priest of St Brendan's, Shepparton, and St Mary's, Dookie, began on April 9, 2022.
Fr Jackson's hobbies include commentating sport on ONE FM Shepparton, as well as British comedy, swimming, running, visiting family and friends, travel and camping.
His favourite Saint is Mary of the Cross MacKillop.