Where are they now – Peter Jeffrey (SPC 1953-55)

The College recently caught up with Monsignor Peter Jeffrey (SPC 1953-55) who is currently Parish Priest in Mooroopna in the Diocese of Sandhurst and calls himself a “proud alumnus” of SPC.

 

“After being a day boy at the Marist Brothers College in Bendigo, I went as a boarder to St Patrick’s College for the last three years of my secondary education. Although I didn’t reach the ‘dizzy heights’ of wearing the green, white and blue in Br Bill O’Malley’s First XVIII Football team, I enjoyed my time at St Patrick’s. Subconsciously it enabled me to keep maturing. At the time I didn’t realise that my new friends came largely from strong, Catholic families. We formed strong friendships that helped to shape our growth to manhood.

Several from my matriculation class went off to study for the priesthood – one to the Columban Missionary Society, one to the Redemptorist Order and three to the Diocesan seminary to study for their home dioceses (Melbourne, Ballarat and Sandhurst).

In 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.  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 ‘leaders’ in civic and professional life. Under my breath, I feel like chanting “War Cry – St Pat’s”.

I enjoy receiving The Shamrock magazine. It is so good to see that the College is expanding and is still offering a first-class education in a Catholic context. The ratio of day students to boarders has fluctuated over the years. The staff and administrators are to be congratulated on the way the traditions of the College are flourishing.  I am a proud alumnus here as Parish Priest of St Mary’s Mooroopna in the Diocese of Sandhurst, where our Bishop is also a past day student of SPC.”