Monday 10 February will be an emotional day for St Mary’s in Mooroopna as the community farewells Monsignor Peter Jeffrey, who will retire from official appointments on that day after 61 years of priesthood and ten years as their Parish Priest. 

In a statement last week, Bishop Shane expressed his profound appreciation for the ministry of Monsignor Jeffrey over more than six decades, noting that he was already eligible for retirement when he was appointed Parish Priest of Mooroopna.

In his 61 years of priesthood, Monsignor Jeffrey has served in five Parishes of the Diocese – Cohuna, Beechworth, Heathcote, Shepparton and Mooroopna; and has also been the Rector of three seminaries – Melbourne, Fiji and New Zealand.

His priesthood has illustrated the words of his Homily at his Jubilarian Mass in 2023, “When we listen to the gentle prompting of the Spirit we do not know where we will be led.”
Although the Mooroopna community will feel the loss of Monsignor Jeffrey’s constant presence, they will be left in the good hands of Fr Addin Doe RCJ, a member of the Rogationist Community at St Mel’s in Shepparton South, who will continue in his ministry as Assistant Priest; and Fr Joe Taylor, Parish Priest of Shepparton, who will temporarily act as Parish Administrator.

Monsignor Jeffrey will continue to reside in Mooroopna after his retirement, and will no doubt continue to be a much-loved member of the parish community.

Interested in finding out more?

Read Mons. Peter Jeffrey’s Homily at his Parish Jubilee Mass in 2023.

Read Mons.Frank Marriott’s Homily at the Diocesan 2023 Jubilarian Mass celebrating the diamond jubilees of Mons. Peter Jeffrey and Fr John Ryan. Both men were ordained as priests of the Sandhurst Diocese on 26 July 1963.