Meet our Parish Staff
Parish Priest
Fr. Shabin Kaniampuram IV Dei
Fr. Shabin was appointed Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Thornbury on 11 February 2018. On 14 April 2018 Archbishop Hart installed him as Parish Priest of St. Mary’s.
Fr. Shabin has a great love for the priesthood which is reflected in his work with Youth and Families and well as in the Pastoral care of our older parishioners.
On 8 December 2019, he was appointed Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Northcote hence Partnership of the two parishes occurred.
Fr Shabin is responsible for the effective administration, direction and spiritual guidance, and direction of the Partnership Parishes.
In 2021 Fr. Shabin was appointed the Vocational Promoter for the Northern Region.
Assistant Priest
Fr Dixon Kuriappilly IVDei
Fr Dixon Kuriapilly IVDei is the Assistant Priest of the Parishes of Northcote, Thornbury, Alphington and Thornbury East. Fr Dixon supports the Parish Priest in the facilitating of spiritual and pastoral support to the parishes and parishioners. His duties include officiating at weekday and Sunday celebrations of the Eucharist, funeral liturgies and burials, marriage ceremonies, the Anointing of the Sick and other sacraments. Fr Dixon plays a key role in visiting parishioners who are sick and housebound. He is a member of the Parish Pastoral Leadership Team
Pastoral Associate and Secretary, St. Mary’s Thornbury
Mirella Pace
Mirella collaborates with the Parish Priest in the provision of spiritual and pastoral support to the parishes and parishioners. The Pastoral Associate plays a key role in Liturgical ministry, in the Sacramental preparation of children in Government Schools and the Adult Faith Formation of our Volunteers. She engages and supports the Gifts and talents of the parishioners and works to bring them to fruition for the good of the Partnership parishes. She is a member of the Parish Partnership Leadership Team and the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People Committee and oversees the implementation of the Child Safety Standards.
Mirella works Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am-2pm
Parish Secretary, St. Joseph’s Northcote
Maggie Jooste
Maggie provides key administrative support to Fr. Shabin at St. Joseph’s. She emails the newsletter each Friday.
Maggie coordinates many practical aspects of the running of the parish. Her coordination includes property maintenance across the parish; financial management of the parish; She manages our parish thanksgiving. Maggie is a member of the Parish Pastoral Leadership team and the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People Committee and oversees the implementation of the Child Safety Standards.
Maggie works Tuesdays and Fridays 9am to 2pm.
Italian Coordinator at St. Mary’s Thornbury.
Maria Zaccardi
Maria liaises with the Parish priest and Pastoral Associate in ensuring the overall pastoral care of the Italian parishioners at St. Mary’s. Maria is a member of the Parish Partnership Leadership Team and coordinates pastoral care of Communion to the Sick and elderly in the Italian Community. Maria is responsible for the Baptism Certificates at St. Mary’s and organizes and implements the Italian Music, liturgy at 9am Mass and other major liturgical celebrations.
Maria works working day is Thursday 9am-3.30pm
E: Thornbury@cam.org.au
Parish Partnership leadership Team
The Partnership Parish Leadership Team assists Fr. Shabin with decision making regarding the everyday running of our Partnership Parishes. Our PPLT meets on a bi-monthly basis to support Fr. Shabin in our partnership, in order that parish life in each of our parishes may flourish and for the gospel to be proclaimed.
The team consists of Chairperson Naomi Brammer; Fr Shabin Kaniampuram; Angelo Pierobon
Cheryl Sullivan; Chris Ray ( Principal St. Mary’s School); Laurie Martinelli; Maggie Jooste
Maria Ang; Maria Zaccardi; Martina Tassone; Mary Kearney (Principal St. Joseph’s Parish); Megan O’Donnell; Mirella Pace; Moses El-Fahkri; Paula Lanti; Rosemary Bolzan.
Members of the Partnership Leadership Team may be contacted via Parish Office.