St Gerard Majella Church
Chermside West QLD
4032
Who we are
St Gerard Majella Church welcomes Christians and those who seek to connect to Christianity in the Chermside West area.
We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey.
We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God.
Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in Chermside West, Queensland by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, beliefs, or background. Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.
We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey.
We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God.
Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in Chermside West, Queensland by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, beliefs, or background. Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.
Church Website
St Gerard Majella Church on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI
Leader Position:
Parish Priest
Phone:
Fax:
07 3359 0550
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI
Leader Bio:
Dear Friends,
I am Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI, a religious priest belonging to the Order of ‘Carmelites of Mary Immaculate’ (CMI) founded by St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the first indigenous Order of India in 1831. The order has over eighteen hundred priests working in more than 31 countries worldwide and around twelve hundred students in seminary in formation.
I was born on 7th January 1971, in a middle class family as the eldest son of Mr John and Mrs Mary Chackānikunnel. I have two brothers and two sisters who all are settled in Kerala, India. In 1986, at the age of 15, I joined the Order and completed my Higher Secondary education, graduations, and other required religious studies for priesthood. I was ordained on 26 December 2000.
After my ordination I was asked to start a school at Kanghangad, North of Kerala State where the CMIs had no educational institutions. By the end of 2004, basic facilities and all accreditations from the Government Educational Authorities had been achieved. I left the school in 2005 to complete my Master’s degree in Economics. While I was leaving as the Founding Principal of Christ CMI Public School, it had 700 children from prep to year 9. It has now grown to year 12 with around 1300 students.
While I was preparing for my Masters, my provincial superior received an invitation from the Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese requesting couple of priests to assist him in pastoral ministries in his diocese. In response to his invitation, I agreed to come to Australia with another priest from the Order, Fr Sunny Mathew and arrived in 2006. After a month’s initial training at Forbes, I was appointed to Bourke.
When I was asked of my readiness to be appointed at Bourke, honestly, I did not know much about Bourke or its nuances. With the humility and gentleness of a missionary priest, especially as a new arrival from overseas, I consented to go to Bourke.
After arriving there, I realized that ‘Bourke is nowhere from everywhere’. However, very quickly I became familiar with the new cultural environment and the language, including the expression ‘Back O’ Bourke’. My stay at Bourke was a blessing in disguise helping me to learn the both the and Aboriginal Cultures and the Australian (Language). Along with the culture and linguistic differences, what amazed most in Australia was the breadth and length of this continent and consequently the travel distances, especially when driving through unsealed country roads for hundreds of kilometers to reach the remote out back communities.
Scarcity of Priests in Australia and my ability to adapt to my living situations reasonably well were the reasons for my long stay in Australia. As the CMI Order gets on average 50 ordinations every year, my return to my previous ministry in India, was not necessary - and I was needed in Australia. My pastoral and administrational qualifications gave me many skills and helped me to be a parish priest in country parishes rather easily.
After my appointment at Wentworth (the Junction, Murray and Darling Rivers) in 2008, my second parish in Australia, the diocese was undergoing a challenge to its existence as a mission diocese. After Bishop C Toohey has resigned in 2009, there were proposals to suppress the diocese and to divide it with the neighbouring dioceses. Because of this uncertainty, my religious superiors or the diocesan office at Forbes were not keen to renew the contract for me to continue my service in the diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane had already requested priests from the CMI Order, and my religious superior asked me if I was willing to move to Brisbane as part of my future. I agreed to this request and was appointed at Woodford and three years later at Hendra.
My appointment to Chermside was made well before COVID-19 was spreading widely. However, I did not move from Hendra to Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Chermside, until Easter Monday 22 April 2019, during the COVID-19 lock down period. It was an uncomfortable time for me to leave a community without any farewell and join another without a formal welcome!
My educational and work qualifications are:
Education:
Bachelor of Philosophy – Bph.(Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram,Pontifical Athenaeum, Bangalore)
Bachelor of Economics – B.A. (Economics) (St. Joseph’s College, University of Calicut)
Bachelor of Theology – BTh. (Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Pontifical Athenaeum, Bangalore)
Bachelor of Education – B.Ed. (St. Joseph’s College, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam)
Cert. in Pastoral Ministry and Administration (Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram,Pontifical Athenaeum, Bangalore)
Currently completing a Bachelor of Psychology B.A.(Psychology) (Swinburne University of Technology)
Work Experience:
Principal (2001 – 2005) – Christ CMI Public School, Kanhangad, India. I was the Founding Principal of this Secondary School which had 700 students at the time of his departure. The school has now grown to a Higher Secondary School with 1300 students.
Parish Priest (2006-2008) – Bourke, Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, NSW.
Parish Priest (2008-2011) – Wentworth, Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, NSW.
Parish Priest (2011-2014) – Stanley River (Kilcoy &Woodford), Archdiocese of Brisbane.
Parish Priest (2014-2020) – Mother of Mercy Parish, Hendra Northgate Hamilton.
Parish Priest (2020- ) – Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Chermside West and Wavell Heights.
Faith in Jesus, who is Lord and God, is our common bond that sets us up as one family in Jesus. This oneness is the aim of Jesus when he promised his power, the Holy Spirit, upon his followers. Helping each and everyone in this parish community to become one family in Jesus, sharing his unconditional, and forgiving love between us, is the mission and ministry that I have taken up by my appointment as the Parish Priest of the Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Chermside West and Wavell Heights. I am glad to say that we are already a welcoming community. However, we could present Jesus better to others by our dispositions, even by our genuine smile. Therefore, may I request your kind support and participation, as members of the body of Christ.
I dearly love my parish and the people wherever I am appointed because the Parish is my family. Each of you play different roles, as my parents, brothers and sisters, and children in my ministry. I am convinced of this, my ministry among you, as the plan of God, a plan that has to be unveiled in detail over time. Therefore, my first wish in this parish is to be united in prayer and in our Christian duty to love one another as Jesus loves us. Because, only in love we find forgiveness, understanding, adjustment, compassion and generosity.
Looking forward to knowing you more, and working with you.
Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI Parish Priest
I am Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI, a religious priest belonging to the Order of ‘Carmelites of Mary Immaculate’ (CMI) founded by St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the first indigenous Order of India in 1831. The order has over eighteen hundred priests working in more than 31 countries worldwide and around twelve hundred students in seminary in formation.
I was born on 7th January 1971, in a middle class family as the eldest son of Mr John and Mrs Mary Chackānikunnel. I have two brothers and two sisters who all are settled in Kerala, India. In 1986, at the age of 15, I joined the Order and completed my Higher Secondary education, graduations, and other required religious studies for priesthood. I was ordained on 26 December 2000.
After my ordination I was asked to start a school at Kanghangad, North of Kerala State where the CMIs had no educational institutions. By the end of 2004, basic facilities and all accreditations from the Government Educational Authorities had been achieved. I left the school in 2005 to complete my Master’s degree in Economics. While I was leaving as the Founding Principal of Christ CMI Public School, it had 700 children from prep to year 9. It has now grown to year 12 with around 1300 students.
While I was preparing for my Masters, my provincial superior received an invitation from the Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese requesting couple of priests to assist him in pastoral ministries in his diocese. In response to his invitation, I agreed to come to Australia with another priest from the Order, Fr Sunny Mathew and arrived in 2006. After a month’s initial training at Forbes, I was appointed to Bourke.
When I was asked of my readiness to be appointed at Bourke, honestly, I did not know much about Bourke or its nuances. With the humility and gentleness of a missionary priest, especially as a new arrival from overseas, I consented to go to Bourke.
After arriving there, I realized that ‘Bourke is nowhere from everywhere’. However, very quickly I became familiar with the new cultural environment and the language, including the expression ‘Back O’ Bourke’. My stay at Bourke was a blessing in disguise helping me to learn the both the and Aboriginal Cultures and the Australian (Language). Along with the culture and linguistic differences, what amazed most in Australia was the breadth and length of this continent and consequently the travel distances, especially when driving through unsealed country roads for hundreds of kilometers to reach the remote out back communities.
Scarcity of Priests in Australia and my ability to adapt to my living situations reasonably well were the reasons for my long stay in Australia. As the CMI Order gets on average 50 ordinations every year, my return to my previous ministry in India, was not necessary - and I was needed in Australia. My pastoral and administrational qualifications gave me many skills and helped me to be a parish priest in country parishes rather easily.
After my appointment at Wentworth (the Junction, Murray and Darling Rivers) in 2008, my second parish in Australia, the diocese was undergoing a challenge to its existence as a mission diocese. After Bishop C Toohey has resigned in 2009, there were proposals to suppress the diocese and to divide it with the neighbouring dioceses. Because of this uncertainty, my religious superiors or the diocesan office at Forbes were not keen to renew the contract for me to continue my service in the diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane had already requested priests from the CMI Order, and my religious superior asked me if I was willing to move to Brisbane as part of my future. I agreed to this request and was appointed at Woodford and three years later at Hendra.
My appointment to Chermside was made well before COVID-19 was spreading widely. However, I did not move from Hendra to Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Chermside, until Easter Monday 22 April 2019, during the COVID-19 lock down period. It was an uncomfortable time for me to leave a community without any farewell and join another without a formal welcome!
My educational and work qualifications are:
Education:
Bachelor of Philosophy – Bph.(Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram,Pontifical Athenaeum, Bangalore)
Bachelor of Economics – B.A. (Economics) (St. Joseph’s College, University of Calicut)
Bachelor of Theology – BTh. (Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Pontifical Athenaeum, Bangalore)
Bachelor of Education – B.Ed. (St. Joseph’s College, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam)
Cert. in Pastoral Ministry and Administration (Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram,Pontifical Athenaeum, Bangalore)
Currently completing a Bachelor of Psychology B.A.(Psychology) (Swinburne University of Technology)
Work Experience:
Principal (2001 – 2005) – Christ CMI Public School, Kanhangad, India. I was the Founding Principal of this Secondary School which had 700 students at the time of his departure. The school has now grown to a Higher Secondary School with 1300 students.
Parish Priest (2006-2008) – Bourke, Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, NSW.
Parish Priest (2008-2011) – Wentworth, Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, NSW.
Parish Priest (2011-2014) – Stanley River (Kilcoy &Woodford), Archdiocese of Brisbane.
Parish Priest (2014-2020) – Mother of Mercy Parish, Hendra Northgate Hamilton.
Parish Priest (2020- ) – Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Chermside West and Wavell Heights.
Faith in Jesus, who is Lord and God, is our common bond that sets us up as one family in Jesus. This oneness is the aim of Jesus when he promised his power, the Holy Spirit, upon his followers. Helping each and everyone in this parish community to become one family in Jesus, sharing his unconditional, and forgiving love between us, is the mission and ministry that I have taken up by my appointment as the Parish Priest of the Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Chermside West and Wavell Heights. I am glad to say that we are already a welcoming community. However, we could present Jesus better to others by our dispositions, even by our genuine smile. Therefore, may I request your kind support and participation, as members of the body of Christ.
I dearly love my parish and the people wherever I am appointed because the Parish is my family. Each of you play different roles, as my parents, brothers and sisters, and children in my ministry. I am convinced of this, my ministry among you, as the plan of God, a plan that has to be unveiled in detail over time. Therefore, my first wish in this parish is to be united in prayer and in our Christian duty to love one another as Jesus loves us. Because, only in love we find forgiveness, understanding, adjustment, compassion and generosity.
Looking forward to knowing you more, and working with you.
Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI Parish Priest
Administration
Admin Name:
Ms Kerstin Knott
Admin Position:
Parish Secretary
Admin Address:
146 Maundrell Terrace
Chermside West
Queensland
4032
Chermside West
Queensland
4032
Phone:
Fax:
07 3359 0550
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Ms Kerstin Knott
St Gerard Majella Church Mass Times
Weekly Mass Times
Please note NO BOOKING are required for masses unless the situation and regulations change.
Tuesdays
St Gerard Majella Church 8.30am
Wednesdays
St Paschal Baylon Church (during school term) 8.45am
Thursdays
St Paschal Baylon Church 9.00am
Fridays
St Gerard Majella Church 8.30am
Saturdays
St Gerard Majella Church 4.30pm
St Paschal Baylon Church 6.00pm
Sundays
St Gerard Majella Church 8.00am + 5.30pm
St Paschal Baylon Church 9.30am
It's been more than 2 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Please note NO BOOKING are required for masses unless the situation and regulations change.
Tuesdays
St Gerard Majella Church 8.30am
Wednesdays
St Paschal Baylon Church (during school term) 8.45am
Thursdays
St Paschal Baylon Church 9.00am
Fridays
St Gerard Majella Church 8.30am
Saturdays
St Gerard Majella Church 4.30pm
St Paschal Baylon Church 6.00pm
Sundays
St Gerard Majella Church 8.00am + 5.30pm
St Paschal Baylon Church 9.30am
It's been more than 2 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Other information
St Gerard Majella Church History
The Church of St Gerard Majella is situated at 146 Maundrell Terrace, Chermside West and is easily accessible by public transport (Bus 345). As development spread to the Chermside West area during the 1950’s and 1960’s, Masses were first held in a house bought by the church near the Chermside tram terminus and then, on the sale of the house to help fund the new St Paschal’s Church, at the Lillis home in Decker Street, Chermside West.
In 1962, a new church was built on a site in Pullford Street, Chermside West. As the congregation grew, this building was extended but soon became too small. After much agitation and wide consultation, Chermside West became a separate Parish on 1 January, 1975 with Fr Bernard (Barney) Wilson as the First Parish Priest. The current church was opened and blessed in 1977. Fr Des McQuaid became Parish Priest in 1981 and served the parish with compassion and generosity for 20 years until he became ill.
Fr Gerard McMorrow was appointed as Administrator in 2002 as the Parish prepared to celebrate 25 years in the ‘new’ church. It was extensively renovated in 2003. The conversion of the front veranda to a glassed-in atrium and the extension for the parish centre and administration building were completed in 2008.
These improvements have made parish life much more comfortable and efficient. The Car park was upgraded in 2014 and further renovations in 2015 have included the realignment of the ceiling and replacement of the Altar, Font and Lectern and the updating of the sound system.
List of Parish Priests served at St Gerard Majella Church:
1 January 1975 - 1981 Fr Bernard (Barney) Wilson
1981 - 2002 Fr Des McQuaid
2002 - 2020 Fr Gerard McMorrow
14 April 2020 – (Current) Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI
Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI was appointed on 14 April 2020, as the Parish Priest of the Our Lady of the Angels Parish Chermside West and Wavell Heights.
Though COVID-19 restricted our community worship and activities to an extent, we are again progressing with new norms and purposes. In order to facilitate the needs of the community and to provide better service, the Parish Office has been restructured and refurbished just after Fr Paul arrived. The Piety Stall is growing and evolving with an ever expanding range of sacramental and religious items to serve the people and parishes in North Brisbane.
Upon reopening after COVID-19 limitations, we have reinstated almost all previous activities. However, it was decided not to continue Christmas lights and Festival until the redevelopment plans have been implemented. In order to provide ample space and facilities to continue and expand all parish functions and celebrations, and even to provide venues for other activities, the Parish has decided to develop the frontage of the property, including buying the neighbouring block of land (previously the Dentist). On 21 December 2021, settlement of the purchase was finalised and the property now belongs to OLA Parish. The Parish Community Consultation meeting held on Wednesday, 3 November 2021 supported the proposed development and the continuation of the project. Further details will be provided as plans progress.
Chermside West has been a strong and vibrant community with a long history of parishioner involvement. Many having actually worked together to build the church, presbytery and hall. Today, numbers of these long-term parishioners are still living in the area and are committed, with newer members, to our current and proposed projects.
The community is truly blessed by the abundance of talent so generously and enthusiastically shared.
In 1962, a new church was built on a site in Pullford Street, Chermside West. As the congregation grew, this building was extended but soon became too small. After much agitation and wide consultation, Chermside West became a separate Parish on 1 January, 1975 with Fr Bernard (Barney) Wilson as the First Parish Priest. The current church was opened and blessed in 1977. Fr Des McQuaid became Parish Priest in 1981 and served the parish with compassion and generosity for 20 years until he became ill.
Fr Gerard McMorrow was appointed as Administrator in 2002 as the Parish prepared to celebrate 25 years in the ‘new’ church. It was extensively renovated in 2003. The conversion of the front veranda to a glassed-in atrium and the extension for the parish centre and administration building were completed in 2008.
List of Parish Priests served at St Gerard Majella Church:
1 January 1975 - 1981 Fr Bernard (Barney) Wilson
1981 - 2002 Fr Des McQuaid
2002 - 2020 Fr Gerard McMorrow
14 April 2020 – (Current) Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI
Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI was appointed on 14 April 2020, as the Parish Priest of the Our Lady of the Angels Parish Chermside West and Wavell Heights.
Though COVID-19 restricted our community worship and activities to an extent, we are again progressing with new norms and purposes. In order to facilitate the needs of the community and to provide better service, the Parish Office has been restructured and refurbished just after Fr Paul arrived. The Piety Stall is growing and evolving with an ever expanding range of sacramental and religious items to serve the people and parishes in North Brisbane.
Upon reopening after COVID-19 limitations, we have reinstated almost all previous activities. However, it was decided not to continue Christmas lights and Festival until the redevelopment plans have been implemented. In order to provide ample space and facilities to continue and expand all parish functions and celebrations, and even to provide venues for other activities, the Parish has decided to develop the frontage of the property, including buying the neighbouring block of land (previously the Dentist). On 21 December 2021, settlement of the purchase was finalised and the property now belongs to OLA Parish. The Parish Community Consultation meeting held on Wednesday, 3 November 2021 supported the proposed development and the continuation of the project. Further details will be provided as plans progress.
The community is truly blessed by the abundance of talent so generously and enthusiastically shared.
Listen, my friend!
Listen, my friend! Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of God with greater effect than all your uttered pleas. He hears it from the very moment that you are seized with helplessness, and He becomes actively engaged at once in hearing and answering the prayer of your helplessness.
St Gerard Majella Church listing was last updated on the 21st of March, 2022
