THE Catholic church parishes in three district communities now have a new parish priest.
Fr Dean Bongat was installed by the Bishop of Sandhurst, Rev Shane Mackinlay, during a Eucharistic celebration in St Patrick’s Catholic Church at Kerang on Sunday.
Kerang parishioners were joined by parishioners from sister parishes at Cohuna and Pyramid Hill and visitors from other areas.
This is Fr Bongat’s first appointment as a parish priest after serving as an assistant priest in the Wodonga parish.
He is the latest in a long line of Filipino priests to be appointed to parishes in the Diocese of Sandhurst after completing seminary training.
A Filipino choir performed during Mass and local parishioners and visitors were later treated to a Filipino banquet luncheon to celebrate the appointment.
Fr Bongat said that his ambition to be a priest was previously borne out of a desire to serve others.
“But now I’m in a position where I can thank God each and every day for giving me the privilege of being here as His servant,” he said.
