In the weeks since Fr Brendan Murphy SDB announced he was leaving his parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, St Marys, after 15 years, there has been an outpouring of love and support from parishioners who say they have been blessed to have had such a devoted and compassionate parish priest.
The Salesian Community of Australia-Pacific, which administers Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, has asked Fr Brendan to move to a parish in Auckland, New Zealand, starting in early 2026. He finishes at St Marys in mid-January. Fr Jeff Miller, the director of the Don Bosco Youth Centre, has been appointed as his replacement.
In a message to parishioners announcing his departure, Fr Brendan said that he was “very happy that the parish is to be entrusted to Fr Jeff”.
“For my part, I am so grateful to have been given 15 years in Our Lady of the Rosary parish,” he said.
Bishop Vincent Long, artist Marijan Bekic and Fr Brendan at the unveiling of Bekic’s statue of Our Lady of Fatima next to the church at St Marys. Image: Diocese of Parramatta/Visualeyes Photography.
On learning of the announcement, parishioners have expressed their sadness at losing such a beloved priest, but thankful that he was able to minister in their parish for so long.
They especially remember his love and concern for everyone in the parish – his gift for recalling names, how he would sit with anyone to hear their stories, and was always outside the church after Mass, whether he was celebrating or not, with a crowd of people around him wanting to talk.
This connection with people is reflected in the growing numbers who have turned up to Mass over the years. Not only are weekend Masses brimming with parishioners, but weekday Masses are too.
Rayella Haines, who joined Our Lady of the Rosary in 1961, told Catholic Outlook that in her time at the parish, Fr Brendan had trebled the numbers attending Mass.
He was the most loved parish priest they had ever had, she said. And everyone could see his devotion to them and to their spiritual growth.
“He loved his parishioners, he truly loved us, you could tell,” Rayella said.
“He’s always there for you, it doesn’t matter what time people ring him up, if someone is sick or dying, he gets up and goes. And then afterwards, he supports them in their grief.
“I’m devastated he’s going…it’s like losing a family member.”
She said in his time at the parish Fr Brendan “changed the Catholics in St Marys to love God more than they ever knew they could”, and it was because of his example.
Fr Brendan Murphy blessing the grave of Fr Peter Charles Connelly at St Mary’s Cemetary. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“He’s like one of God’s apostles; I’m 85 years old and I’ve never known a priest like him.”
Another parishioner, Dennis Collins, who became very close friends with Fr Brendan, said he had lifted the whole parish’s understanding of, and devotion to, the Eucharist.
“He’s forever reminding us that this is the greatest miracle that the world’s ever seen,” he said.
Dennis believes Fr Brendan’s biggest achievement during his 15 years was the building of the Adoration Chapel several years ago, which gave parishioners access to Perpetual Adoration at any hour of the day or night.
“The chapel is just outstanding in the benefits to the parish and surrounding area,” he said.
Another of his achievements was turning the lower floor of the Presbytery into a café, which parishioners now use regularly after Mass.
Dennis said Fr Brendan had told him that he wanted to develop the parish into a friendly, family atmosphere where people came to Mass and didn’t want to go home – where they wanted to stay and chat and get to know each.
Fr Brendan Murphy (back row left) and parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary Pairsh, St Marys, during the 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
“That’s exactly what he’s done,” he said, adding that “the social side only came after the devotion side”.
“He’s developed the parish to a very high level of devotion and reverence,” Dennis said.
“It’s quite noticeable, when we have people come from another parish, they all remark about the overall feeling of the parish. There is a feeling of love, friendship and a reverence when we come out of church.
“I don’t think there would be a person in the parish who would be glad to see him go. People are so genuinely sad and sorry to see him going, which is a testament to the respect that everybody has for him.”
Parishioner Steve Buhagiar said Fr Brendan “truly has the heart of a spiritual father. His authentic love for his parishioners and all those who come into contact with him is a trait that many note upon meeting him for the first time.”
Fr Brendan had shown the parish how to be “Christ-centred by following the example of our Blessed Mother, who is the first of all disciples”, and he did this not just through his homilies but through his everyday actions, Steve said.
A young married couple, Alan and Andrea D’Souza, remember Fr Brendan’s love and concern for them when they first moved into the parish with their three young children.
“He sent some parishioners to check in to see if we had settled into the parish okay,” they said. “On another occasion, he came himself because he hadn’t seen us for a few weeks.”
The parish is holding a public farewell for Fr Brendan on 21 December in the Don Bosco Youth Centre, after the 10.30 Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, which will be celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta.
