Welcome to Saint Brendan's Catholic Parish in Shepparton

St. Brendan of Ardfert and Clonfert, known also as Brendan the Voyager, was born in Ciarraighe Luachra, near the present city of Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland,in 484; he died at Enachduin, now Annaghdown, in 577. He was baptized at Tubrid, near Ardfert, by Bishop Erc.  For five years he was educated under St.Ita,"the Brigid of Munster", and he completed his studies under St. Erc, who ordained him priest in 512. Between the years 512 and 530 St. Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and at Shanakeel or Baalynevinoorach, at the foot of Brandon Hill. It was from here that he set out on his famous voyage for the Land of Delight.The old Irish Calendars assigned a specialfeast for the "Egressio familiae S. Brendani", on 22 March; and St Aengus the Culdee, in his Litany, at the close of the eighth century,invokes "the sixty who accompanied St. Brendan in his quest of the Land of Promise".

 Naturally, the story of the seven years' voyage was carried about, and, soon, crowds of pilgrims and students flocked to Ardfert. Thus, in a few years, many religious houses were formed at Gallerus, Kilmalchedor, Brandon Hill, and the Blasquet Islands, in order to meet the wants of those who came for spiritual guidance to St. Brendan. Having established the See of Ardfert, St. Brendan proceeded to Thomond, and founded a monastery at Inis-da-druim (now Coney Island, County Clare), in the present parish of Killadysert, about the year 550. He then journeyed to Wales, and thence to Iona, and left traces of his apostolic zeal at Kilbrandon (near Oban) and Kilbrennan Sound. After a three years' mission in Britain he returned to Ireland, and did much good work in various parts of Leinster, especially at Dysart (Co. Kilkenny), Killiney (Tubberboe), and Brandon Hill. He founded the Sees of Ardfert, and of Annaghdown, and established churches at Inchiquin, County Galway, and at Inishglora, County Mayo. His most celebrated foundation was Clonfert, in 557, over which he appointed St. Moinenn as Prior and Head Master. St. Brendan was interred in Clonfert, and his feast is kept on 16 May.

From Catholic Encyclopedia 

Was Echuca born, 2nd of 5 boys.

Spent 4 years in boarding school in Sunbury.

Underwent seminary formation in Werribee, Glen Waverley, Clayton.
Was ordained in 1974.

Was ministering in: Kennington parish, Wangaratta, Margarima (PNG), Erave (PNG), Kerang, Wodonga, Euroa, Kennington, Shepparton.

Enjoys reading, movies, walking, growing veggies, walking the dog, swimming.

Sees the role of the Parish as furthering the Kingdom of God through our call to holiness.

Sees St Brendan's Pastoral Council as focusing on both Mission and Maintenance. 

Born as the youngest of two brothers in Kerala, India Fr. Joseph did his primary and secondary studies in Aruvithura. He joined the minor seminary of the diocese of Palai in 1999. Completed philosophical studies at St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye.

He was sent to Rome for his Theological studies and did his Masters in Bioethics and Ordained Deacon at Rome.

On 10th September 2011 He was Ordained Priest.

After serving 3 parishes in the diocese of Palai as Assistant Priest and as Parish Priest in 1 parish, He was sent to the pastoral ministry in the Syro Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne, Australia. Appointed as the Chaplain to the Syro Malabar Mission in the Archdiocese of Sydney in November 2018, He continued there till 2023. On 14th February 2023 He was appointed as the Chaplain for the Syro Malabar Mission in Shepparton and Bendigo.

His hobbies include reading, playing badminton, watching sports and movies and travelling. 

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.  

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