Community
26 May, 2023
Popular priest relocates
PARISHIONERS from St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Port Fairy recently said farewell to popular priest, Father John Corrigan.
Father Corrigan has relocated to Mildura following his appointment as assistant priest to the parishes of Mildura, Merbein and Red Cliffs.
The popular member of the Port Fairy community had played an important role in the development of the district over the past three years and will be greatly missed.
The parish credits him with the smooth transition of merging the Catholic communities of Warrnambool, Dennington, Koroit and Port Fairy into one Parish which is now collectively known as ‘Star of the Sea’ - a name chosen by Father John himself.
His departure leaves a hole in the heart of many St Patrick’s parishioners who developed a fondness for his lively, enthusiastic and kind-hearted personality.
Although originally from Ballarat, Father John holds a special place in his heart for the Warrnambool region as most of his family are based there.
Always dressed in traditional priesthood attire, parishioners were impressed that someone so young had developed such profound faith and clarity about the purpose of his life.
It was noted that Father John demonstrated a truly selfless lifelong commitment to God and the church which extended into the everyday lives of his parishioners.
Visiting the sick, making home visits to distribute Holy Communion and being a shoulder to lean on, Father John also performed weekly Masses and Sacraments, united to form a somewhat modern, holistic approach to caring for the well-being of his parishioners.
Despite his heavy emotional workload, Father John is capable of finding positivity and spiritual insight in most situations and left Port Fairy in this frame of mind.
He also acknowledged his sadness at leaving behind his parishioners, the community so close to where his family is based and the place he has come to call home.
His compassion, generosity and commitment to the Parish of Port Fairy and the town itself will be sadly missed.
