One of the final wishes of the late Fr Dan Foley was realised when a book capturing the history of the Good Shepherd Parish in Lockridge was recently launched.
When long time parishioner Nick De Luca had approached Fr Foley a number of years ago to discuss the possibility of recording the parish community’s journey, from its inception in 1969, the parish’s longest serving priest had eagerly embraced the concept.
He then encouraged Mr De Luca to utilise all the knowledge and talents of parishioners to bring the idea to fruition.
“I formed a committee, not only to tell the story of the parish, but to also honour the exceptional work of Fr Foley,” Mr De Luca said in a recent interview.
The committee of five, including Mr De Luca’s wife, Nuccia, extensively researched and gathered information, including Fr Foley’s memoirs from his time at the parish from 1991 to 2002.
“Every Tuesday evening, from February this year until recently, we would gather together to research, interview people and put stories together and we gradually compiled the history of this parish,” he said.
The committee’s work was given a boost in June when Fr Foley’s brother, John, arrived with a large amount of information, photos included, which added an even greater depth to the 88-page publication.
The book follows the Lockridge community’s 45 years from its humble beginnings as an outpost of the Carmelite parish of Morley – when a small group would meet for Sunday Mass at the Eden Hill Primary school, through to its establishment as the Good Shepherd parish in 1976, the building of their church in 1994, until present day.
“We are delighted to be able to honour the final wishes of our beloved Fr Dan Foley, who was a great individual and pastor,” Mr De Luca said.
“To be able to present this long awaited and beautiful publication to past and present parishioners of the Good Shepherd parish and to the wider community.”
To order copies of the book, contact Nick and Nuccia De Luca on (08) 9378 2684 or email deluca.nick@cathednet.wa.edu.au