An estimated 800 to 900 people attended a concelebrated mass to farewell Father Brendan Quirk at St Joseph’s Church, Rockdale yesterday.
Father Brendan has been Parish Priest to the Catholic communities of Arncliffe, Bexley and Rockdale for almost 16 years.
He is taking up a new posting as an Army Chaplain.
Father Brendan has a lifetime’s connection with St Joseph’s Rockdale. He was an altar boy at the church and celebrated his first mass there as a priest after been ordained at St Mary’s Cathedral in 1994 and celebrated his first mass the next day at St Joseph’s, Rockdale.
Attendees at yesterday’s mass included members of Father Brendan’s family, many who live in the St George region.
The Most Reverend Terry Brady was the principal celebrant at the mass.
Father Brendan was praised for his unwavering, selfless, dedicated and compassionate service over the past 16 years.
Brendan will be sorely missed by the Arncliffe, Bexley and Rockdale communities, a statement issued by the St Mary MacKillop Parish, Rockdale City said.
“Brendan’s outstanding ability to emphasis and communicate with all age groups, his optimistic approach to life and the world around, and his compassion for all makes him a real ‘people’s priest’ who will be greatly missed.