Scanning the heartwarming photos of Fr Geoff Plant’s career as a priest, is like peeking into a love-filled family photo album, which in many ways, it is.
For over 5 decades, the many church communities Fr Geoff lead as a parish priest have become his “family”.
Fr Geoff has been a father figure and community leader throughout Singapore, Western Australia, Brisbane and Melbourne.
In Sydney, he was a parish priest in Lane Cove for more than 12 years, and nearly as long in Revesby.
For over 5 decades, this loving parish priest has connected his parishes with God’s grace, the Sacraments, and the Eucharist and whilst he never built a family of his own, he has given his life to nurture the lives within the family of his church.
It’s why the call to support priests in retirement this Father’s Day is such an important one and why he is leading the push to support his fellow retired priests this year. His message is clear: “by supporting the Priests’ Retirement Foundation, people are thanking the fathers for their ministry.”
Donations to the Priests’ Retirement Foundation, are vital to help and support retired priests with adequate accommodation, health care and day-to-day support. This includes assistance with board and lodging, nursing home and hostel care for frail priests, dental expenses, motor vehicles, and other essential needs.
Even in retirement, parish priests like Fr Geoff, remain tethered to their church family.
Since retiring Fr Geoff has assisted 25 parishes across Sydney, stepping in for priests who need to take leave. He also continues to run an online parish, focusing on in depth study of Scripture.
Recently, back behind the altar in his beloved Revesby parish, he saw the lasting fruits of his ministry when meeting a man leading the singing: “he came up to me after Mass and said: ‘Father, you baptised me.’ Another week, I had dinner with a family and again I baptised the daughter, who’s now in year 10. It’s lovely making those connections.”
Fr Geoff has walked with his community in their moments of joy and in times of sorrow.
“I’ve kept contact with a lady in Revesby. I did the funeral for both her parents and for her husband,” he recalled.
For him, being a father is a deeply meaningful calling: “To be a father is to be an embodiment of God’s hospitality making the parish a place of welcome, inclusion, growing and learning – a place of celebration.”
Parishioners speak warmly of Fr Geoff as a true spiritual father. Mr Mullins, a Revesby parishioner, recently reflected on the lasting impact of his ministry on the community: “Father Geoffrey was a significant father figure for the parishioners of Revesby, offering spiritual guidance, pastoral care, and a sense of community. He embodied the ‘true” meaning of the definition Father in every aspect and I will be forever grateful in having him in my life.”
Tania Penny, Senior Fundraising Officer from the Development and Fundraising Office said: “Our Fathers look after us when we have our babies, when we get married, when we farewell loved ones and all situations in between. Once they retire, we become their family and must care for them in return. Please donate generously today,” she said.
“I’ve always enjoyed spending time preparing and preaching God’s word,” explains Fr Geoff.
“There are many parts to the body of Christ: some are called to father, some to teach.”
Today we encourage you to do your part and support our retired priests.
To donate to the Priests’ Retirement Foundation please click on the QR code:
