useful people to know

Vicar -- Fr Dennis Webster

Fr Dennis Webster came to St Stephen's in 2009. His previous appointment was as vicar of Pascoe Vale/Oak Park (2003-09), during which time he was Area Dean of Coburg.

Fr Dennis's early training was as a musician. He was awarded a studentship in Music Education at the University of Tasmania where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Education) in 1986. Following this, Fr Dennis was worked for the Tasmanian Education Department, and held teaching posts at Howrah Primary School, Campania District High and Woodbridge District High, and later, St James' College, Cygnet. Dennis was involved with St David's Cathedral, Hobart, serving in the choir, as cantor, authorised lay reader, sacristan, youth leader, and councillor.

Fr Dennis attended Trinity College, Melbourne, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from the Melbourne College of Divinity in 1994. During the first decade of his ministry Fr Dennis served in the parishes of Holy Trinity, Launceston, Burnie, Channel/Cygnet and Ss Peter & Andrew Braybrook.

Fr Dennis has diverse interests. He is a passionate follower of the Carlton Football Club, and enjoys cricket and swimming, in which he has worked as an umpire and time-keeper. He enjoys football at all levels. He has a a collaboration with poet Peter G Baker on giving the Psalms an Australian Voice, and one of their pieces has won a national Christmas Carol competition. He remains active as a composer for liturgy, producing many chants and responses for use at St Stephens. Many of his responsorial psalms feature at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.

Dennis has a long-haired tortoise shell cat called Sophie, and a long-haired German Shepard called Harlequin (Harley).

Dennis is currently Area Dean of Melbourne, serves on the Regional Senior Staff and Council of the North West Region, and is provincial chair of the Ecumencial Advisory Committee. He is also currently a Vice President of the Victorian Council of Churches.

Adjunct Priest -- Fr David Conolly

Fr David Conolly was ordained in Melbourne in 1964, and has enjoyed a varied ministry. He served curacies at Glenroy and Cheltenham before taking overseas appointments in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Willesdon Green, London. He returned to Melbourne in 1970 and became Vicar of East Thornbury, later moving to to St John's, East Malvern (1977) and St Faith's, Burwood (1987).

Fr David came to St Stephen's on his retirement from Burwood in 1999, where he makes a valued contribution to the life of the parish. A Conolly sermon is something to really treasure, and there will always be some gems in there regardless of where you are in life, faith or hope. Come and listen next time Fr David is preaching.

Parish Officers

Churchwardens
Dianne McDonald (Vicar), Luke Priday and Oliver Hodson (People)

The churchwardens are responsible for the upkeep of buildings and facilities at St Stephen's, including financial and administrative management. They are presently involved in an extensive capital works program which will increase the beauty and functionality of our worship and communal spaces.

Parish Secretary
Oliver Hodson

Treasurer
Barrie Bell

Parish Office
Kieran Crichton

Parish office hours:

9.30am-2.30pm

Tuesday and Friday.