9 September 2025

Dear Fathers, Deacons, Religious, and Colleagues

NOTIFICATION OF THE DEATH OF FATHER ANDREW WISE
9 SEPTEMBER 2025

I share with you the sad news which I have received from the Brisbane Oratory in Formation advising me that Fr Andrew Wise died this afternoon. He was aged sixty-four and in the thirty-eighth year of his priesthood.

As you have been aware, Fr Andrew has endured his own serious illness and has been receiving palliative care for some time. The community of the Oratory has provided extraordinary fraternal care, support and have spiritually accompanied Fr Andrew in so many ways. As a founding member of the community, Fr Andrew saw his initial dream of the opening of the Oratory come to fruition in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. He has shared a common life of prayer and fraternity with those who have joined him since the Oratory in Formation opening in 2015.

Fr Andrew was ordained by Bishop Eric D’Arcy at St Mary’s Cathedral on 5 September 1987. He served as an Assistant Priest at Traralgon (1988) and Sale (1991), Administrator of Cowwarr/Heyfield (1994), Parish Priest of the parishes of Koo Wee Rup (1995), Churchill (1997), Cranbourne (1998), Dean of Cathedral (2011), and after a period of discernment he was given permission to establish the Brisbane Oratory in Formation (2015).

I was privileged to have the opportunity to meet with Fr Andrew in July at the Oratory. It was clear then that his condition had worsened. He was receiving wonderful support from the community as his daily care needs grew. He spoke highly of those many wonderful people involved in his medical care and treatment. During my visit, he spoke openly of his death: He was at peace and spiritually ready for this day. He expressed his deep gratitude for being a priest of the Diocese of Sale and for the support he had received from clergy and many individuals. He was also thankful the PWF had responded so generously to their support of him. He remembered with great fondness so many wonderful lay men and women among whom he had had the privilege to serve. I told him of people I had met in my time as bishop and their gratitude for his significant pastoral care in their lives at significant moments.

As I understand the funeral arrangements will be entrusted to the Moderator of the Oratory, Rev Adrian Sharpe, and community. Once these details are to hand, we shall advise you.

Grant, we pray, O Lord,
That the soul of Andrew, your servant and Priest,
Whom you honoured with sacred office,
While he lived in this world,
May exult for ever in the glorious home of heaven.

May St Philip Neri, pray for him.

With every peace,

   +Greg Bennet

Please note if you get a text stating it is Fr Antony requesting you to urgently purchase apple gift cards, it is a SCAM.

Clergy do not contact you this way for help!!

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Thank you

STAY UPDATED ON DIOCESAN EVENTS! 

There are many exciting events happening across our Diocese! Stay informed and up to date by visiting the Diocesan Events Page.

It’s a great resource to find details on upcoming celebrations, gatherings, and important dates. Visit: https://www.cdsale.org.au/events

Check in regularly so you don’t miss out!

SPONSORSHIP: Elizabeth Lupeamanu has a calling to volunteer with NET Ministries, Australia & NZ. A Catholic peer-to-peer youth ministry, with Youth Evangelization. If you would like to sponsor support Elizabeth one of our youth members, scan the QR code.

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2025 will be a year of Jubilee, something which happens every 25 years.

The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”.

Bishop Greg has released information for the Diocese of Sale.

https://youtu.be/42LXQPxOA-8 

September 2025

For our relationship with all of creation
Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

St Agatha's Parish Pastoral Council team members: Sr. Faustina, Mrs Michelle Bruitzman (Principal, St Agatha’s School), Mrs Felicity Broughton (Principal, St Therese’s school), Fiona McKenna (St Peter's College), Bridget D’Costa (Parish Representative), Pracena Joseph (Parish Representative), David Krotwaar (Parish Representative), Ricky Hughes (Parish Representative), Dominic Rode (Youth), Tony Lupeamanu (Divine Mercy Group), Rodante Candido (Santo Nino Group), Fr. Prabhu and Fr. Antony.

To Register follow this link https://forms.gle/amhP1keXnVL3QDT17 

Religious Education Classes 

 Wednesday during school terms, during school terms 4pm to 5pm in the Parish hall.  

Do you have children who attend
Government Schools Grades Prep-6 ?

Enrolments online please follow the link on the home page drop down menu.

If you have any questions please contact the parish office on 5996 1985. 

ST AGATHA'S PARISH

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