PARISH PRIESTS
Over the Years

1928: Parish formed: Father Farrell

1928 - 1965: Pastors during this time include: Frs. Morris, G. Parker & T. O'Neill

JAN 1965: Fr. Tom O'Neill dies aged 54

FEB 1965: Scalabrinian Order offered the Parish by Cardinal Gilroy

MAR 31 1965: Scalabrinian Fathers welcomed to Parish by Fr. Burn (temporary Parish Priest)

MAR 1965: John Pagnin & Luigi Asteguo

JUN 1965: Luigi Asteguo (to Rome) replaced by Graziano Tassello

SEP 1972: Fr John replaced by Emilio Vaccaro, Antonio Dal Bello and Saverio Cinquetti

JUL 1973: Antonio Dal Bello transferred

SEP 1973: John Raccanello replaces Saverio Cinquetti

Nov 1977: Giorgio Baggio replaces John Raccanello

Nov 1978: Fr Giorgio replaces Fr Emilio as Parish Priest. Tiziano Martellozzo appointed as assistant

Nov 1979: Corrando Martellozzo replaces Tiziano as assistant. Tiziano appointed Chaplain to Italians in the Northern Zone of Archdiocese

Jan 1981: Tiziano Martellozzo transferred. His duties now shared by Dee Why and Mosman Scalabrinian Fathers

May 1981: Dino Torresan replaces Giorgio Baggio as Parish Priest

Jan 1983: Baran Blaise replaces Corrando Martellozzo as assistant.

Jan 1985: Bruno Ciceri replaces Fr. Blaise as assistant

Jan 1986: Tiziano Martellozzo replaces Fr. Bruno as assistant

Jan 1987: Tiziano Martellozzo replaces Fr Dino as Parish Priest

1994: Fr. Lauro replaces Fr. Tiziano

1998: Fr. Anthony replaces Fr. Lauro

1999: Fr. John Mello replaces Fr. Anthony

St. Kevin

The first church in Dee Why was built in 1923. The Parish of St. Kevin was established in 1928, when it was detached from Manly. The original school and convent were built in the following years; they were all small wooden buildings. At the time the Dee Why Parish extended to Palm Beach.

In 1946 the new parish of Narrabeen was formed and in 1959 Narraweena became the centre of another new parish. The revised boundaries of Dee Why came to be: North - Hay St., off Long Reef; South - North Curl Curl Lagoon; along the north side of Warringah Rd.; West - eastern side of Victor Rd and northern side of Lynwood Rd, out into Willandra Rd. From Narrabeen Lakes along southern side of South Creek Rd, up to Inman St., both sides of Orlando Ave. and along sides of hill to Hay St. Long Reef.

In April 1965 the benevolence of Cardinal Gilroy, Archbishop of Sydney, offered the parish of St. Kevin to the Scalabrini Fathers. The Scalabrini Fathers, so called because of the name of their Founder, Bishop Scalabrini, saw their origin as a Religious Congregation in 1887. Their scope is to follow migrants, assisting them spiritually and socially.

The present Parish Priest, Father John Mello S.C. , is assisted by Father John Raccanello S.C and Father Gabriel Ballawig. They look after the many migrants among the parish, including the Italian, Filipino, Spanish, and Dutch members. Though appropriate that they should give assistance to the migrants of the district, the Priests themselves spend with zeal and interest for the spiritual welfare of the Catholic families of the parish.

OFFICIAL OPENINGS:
Schools: 3 July 1960 - Bishop Carroll (J)
Presbytery: 20 November 1960 - Bishop J. Freeman on behalf of N.T. Cardinal Gilroy
Foundation Stone: 20 November 1960 - Bishop J. Freeman on behalf of N.T. Cardinal Gilroy
Church: 29 April 1962 - Cardinal Gilroy
Hall: 14 May 1978 - Bishop Thomas W. Muldoon
Administration Block: 23 March 1988 - Bishop Murphy

Patron Saints:
St. Kevin of Glendalough, Abbot (AC)
Mary Help of Christians

Parish Priests:
St. Kevin's Parish has been fortunate because we have had the opportunity to meet and work with many Priests over the years. These Priests, from many different countries and different backgrounds have enriched the community of St. Kevin's Parish. The following is an attempt to outline the Priests that have helped shaped the parish's life over the years: