By Robert Fimmel
For a group of WA’s seminarians, their invitation to attend a special Mass in Osborne Park on April 7 was an opportunity to observe parishioners’ appreciation of “a caring priest in action”, for a pastoral job being well done.
On Sunday April 7 fifteen priestly students and their Rector, Monsignor Kevin Long, joined 600 parishioners and friends of St Kieran’s own Father Michael Gatt to celebrate the 45 year milestone along this priest’s life journey.
The joyful celebration consisted of a Mass concelebrated by Fr Gatt and Mgr Long, and complemented by the quality choir Salvado Schola Cantorum.
It was followed by a tasty brunch served in the church’s parish centre, where a celebratory cake was cut.
There was telling symbolism in the offertory procession’s gifts.
St Kieran’s parishioners saw that those fifteen items (from the Maltese priest’s parental photo, the 24-thousand-plus Mass register, Royal Australian Airforce Base Pearce emblem, through to an award plaque for Fr Gatt’s Christmas Helpline) represented Father’s busy, giving-type of pastoral life.
His robust support for St Kieran’s school community was gratefully acknowledged by Redmond Berson, the school’s Principal, in a short address.
While not obvious, Father’s old friends from other parishes and chaplaincies across the state were present to celebrate with him.
The whole occasion was a memorable and deserving tribute to Fr Gatt’s “God’s way – My way” approach.