By Contributing Writers
Although a global pandemic found him stranded on the other side of the world to his loved ones in the United States, Father Tim Deeter was joined by his Australian family last month to celebrate his 70th birthday.
Some 120 friends and parishioners from around the state came together at Royal Perth Yacht Club to honour the Mount Lawley Parish Priest and the valuable contribution he has made to the Church in Western Australia.
Born and raised in Chicago, Father Tim was welcomed to Perth more than 23 years ago by Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey.
He has been serving the Mount Lawley parish community for more than 10 years.
True to form, the hard-working Father Tim was almost late to his own birthday party after celebrating the evening Mass and attending to last minute business.
But for once, it was his parishioners who had the opportunity to thank him for his dedication to his ministry, the long hours he works day-in, day-out, and his sound teaching and pastoral care.
There were representatives from the Confraternity of St Michael, the Disciples of Jesus, Casa Frasati and pre-vocation discernment for aspiring candidates, St Mary’s Cathedral Choir and the Marian Movement of Priests.
Father Mariusz Grzech led the party in prayer before speakers, including Joe and Yolanda Nardizzi, Greg Brennan, and former MP Michael Sutherland, took to the stage to tell stories about Father Tim and his time in Australia.
Just as music is an important part of the liturgy at St Paul’s, it was central to Father Tim’s birthday celebration.
Musical director Alessio Loiacono led superb singers Theodore Murphy-Jelley and Eimear Foley throughout the evening, before Father Tim himself hit the ivories to perform three Rodgers and Hammerstein numbers with Theodore.
Father Tim’s parishioners were at a loss over what to buy him for his birthday until he unwittingly dropped a clue in a recent homily.
He had never been in a helicopter, he revealed.
So as a gift from his parishioners, Father Tim will go on a helicopter tour of his beloved Perth city.
Bishop Don Sproxton sent a message to Father Tim to be read at the celebration and praised his “deep faith and energy”.
“I wish to recognise and thank him for his pastoral and spiritual care for people,” he said.
“At this time, I will keep him in my prayer that he can rejoice in the goodness and blessings that God bestowed upon him as he has responded to the call to serve His people throughout his life.”
Father Tim told his parishioners he was “very touched by your many messages of love and support”.
“Some of you mentioned specific moments in your lives when I have been of some help to you and your families,” he said.
“This was very moving to me as your priest.
“Some priests, I know, wonder at times if it has been worth the personal sacrifice and struggle to forego wife and children in order to pursue a priestly vocation. Thanks be to God, I have never felt that at all – not one single moment.”