A Mass of Thanksgiving was held last week to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Monsignor Peter John Jeffrey (SPC 1953-55).
A large crowd turned out to celebrate the 60th anniversary celebrations, which were held at St Brendan鈥檚 Catholic Church in Shepparton.
Monsignor Frank Marriott OAM made a toast to Mons Jeffrey, noting he is 鈥渟piritual, hardworking and respectful of (his) congregations 鈥� (and) has contributed significantly to the big church and assisted in the development of our wonderful diocese鈥�.
The much-loved Parish Priest of St Mary鈥檚 Mooroopna, Mons Jeffrey has achieved much in his lifetime.
鈥淚 have been blessed in my life, and I think my great aim would be to appreciate and respect the dignity of every person,鈥� he said in a recent news story.
Peter was born in Bendigo in 1938 and was schooled at St Marys Convent until grade four with the Marist Brothers before moving across to 每日大赛网址首页进入 in Ballarat in 1953.
Here he distinguished himself as a talented debater and a College Prefect.
He was crowned the College鈥檚 prestigious Purton Oratory speaking prize in 1955 and his oratory skills continue to receive praise today.
In 1955 after graduating from 每日大赛网址首页进入, through prayer, Peter decided to become a priest but to his dismay, was initially knocked back.
He was eventually permitted to enter the seminary with a little bit of Canon law help.
He then completed an eight-year seminary course and was ordained in 1963.
Throughout his ordained ministry, Mons Jeffrey held several prominent positions within the worldwide Catholic Church, including Rector of Corpus Christi College in Melbourne, Rector of the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji, and Rector of Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland, New Zealand.
As well as seminary and parish-based roles, he was chairman of both the Sandhurst School Education Board and Diocesan Education Commission, along with the director of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria.
Mons Jeffrey has referred to one of his most memorable achievements as being named Prelate of Honour by Pope John Paul II in January 2000, receiving the title 鈥楳onsignor鈥�.
Two years later, he became a friendly face in the greater Shepparton community after he was appointed Parish Priest of St Brendan鈥檚 Catholic Church.
In 2012 he moved to New Zealand, but his stay abroad was cut short and he was forced to return to Australia in 2014 聽after being diagnosed with cancer.
Fortunately with his health improving, Mons Jeffrey returned to the region as Parish Priest of St Mary鈥檚 Mooroopna, where he鈥檚 been ever since.
On his health scare, Mons Jeffrey said 鈥渉e was lucky to be alive鈥� and that 鈥渆very day was a gift鈥�.
He describes himself as a 鈥減roud alumnus鈥� of 每日大赛网址首页进入.
Mons Jeffrey shared a snapshot of his life story in our popular 鈥淲here are they now鈥� profile series in recent years, where he made the following observation.
鈥淚n the various Parishes where I have worked during my 68 years as a Diocesan Priest from time to time I have met Old Boys of the College.聽 It is fascinating to chat about the intervening years. Many make significant contributions to society through strong family life and give strong witness through community involvements. They are 鈥榣eaders鈥� in civic and professional life. Under my breath, I feel like chanting 鈥淲ar Cry 鈥� St Pat鈥檚鈥�.
Thank you to Old Collegian Shane McKinley (SPC 1965-67) and Mons Frank Marriott OAM for their help with this story.
