On 26 November, Rogationist Priests, Rene Ramirez RCJ and Ruel Desamparado RCJ were formally welcomed to the Diocese of Sandhurst at an Installation Mass celebrated by Bishop Shane Mackinlay at St Mel’s Church in Shepparton South.

With Fr Rene as leader, the two priests have established a community of Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus at St Mel’s in South Shepparton and will also serve at St Malachy’s in Nagambie.

The occasion was an opportunity to unify the congregation of parishioners from Shepparton South and Nagambie who gathered to witness the formal installation of Fr Rene to their parishes. The Mass and festivities afterwards also fostered a sense of shared purpose and spiritual camaraderie.

This momentous day was made even more special by the presence of various groups and individuals: concelebrating priests included Fr Joe Taylor (Vicar General and Parish Priest of Shepparton); Fr Orville Cajigal (Provincial of the Rogationists in Asia-Pacific); Monsignor Peter Jeffrey, Fr Cornelio (Jinjo) Solis; Fr Dean Bongat; Fr Michael Grace (former Parish Priest of St Mel’s and St Malachy’s now retired) and Rogationist Priests from the Philippines, Vietnam, and the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

A delegation from Holy Family Parish in Braybrook and Maidstone (VIC), where Fr Rene previously served as a parish priest for eight years, also attended. Additionally, staff representatives from St Mel’s Primary School (Shepparton South) and St Anne’s College (Nagambie) were present.

After the Mass, a Welcome Dinner was held at the GV Hotel in downtown Shepparton where priests and their flock took the opportunity to get to know each other better. Fr Rene and Fr Ruel bring a rich tradition of faith, service and community engagement to their new parishes of St Mel’s and St Malachy’s and Fr Rene, apparently, is a very good cook who enjoys both classical and pop music!