Fr Peter Hearn - new Parish Priest of OLSH & SMM

One of the most important happenings this year for OLSH & ST.M.M’s is the arrival of Fr. Peter Hearn as our new Parish Priest who began his ministry on 28 January 2009.  He didn’t have far to come as he was stationed at Treand House prior to his transfer to Randwick. When asked where he was going he said it could be anywhere from Coogee to Saigon (literally)! But it is only five bus stops from his previous abode. Fr. Peter is originally from Yambuk at the end of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. He went to a convent school at Point Fairy and his secondary school was at Monivae in Hamilton. After High School he worked part time as a public servant while beginning his Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University. He entered the MSC Novitiate in 1968 and was ordained in 1976. He taught for 1 year in Toowoomba and 2 years in Canberra before going to a remote aboriginal mission in Northern Territory for 4 years. He then returned to Parish work in Canberra for 12 months. From 1984-87 Fr. Peter was Vocations Promoter and helped with the MSC Retreat Team. He was appointed Administrator of the Cathedral at Darwin where he remained for 7 years. Bishop Ted Collins a former Parish Priest of Randwick was there at the time. Following that appointment he has spent time in the Kensington Parish before going to Belgium where he studied for his masters of Theology. He returned to Sydney to do research for his Th.D. on The Aboriginal Missions. In 2002 he was the Superior of Kensington Monastery and in 2003 went to a University in Beijing to teach English. 2004 He was Vocations Promoter and resided at Willoughby Parish. In 2005 he was appointed convenor Sydney parishes for WYD. And was also Assistant to the Provincial of the MSC order at Coogee.
 

Fr. Hearn is an AFL supporter of The Brisbane Lions and maybe the Swans! His father played AFL for South Melbourne and Fitzroy. He likes to keep fit, loves to socialise and is planning some diner/dance events for the combined parishes. He learned the piano for 9 years and really loves playing and singing. He loves travelling anywhere and has just driven 5,000kms on a recent holiday!
 
He is very excited to be here and is looking forward to meeting with everyone.