Induction of Father Philip Bentley

By Mitchell Fox, Chapel Prefect | All Souls St Gabriels School, QLD

At the start of the term we were blessed with the much anticipated arrival of our new Chaplain, Father Philip Bentley. The Installation Service was presided over by The Right Reverend Dr Keith Joseph (Bishop of North Queensland) with the support of The Very Reverend and Venerable Dr Kenneth Lay. The service was also attended by representatives from St Paul’s Anglican Church, Charters Towers, as well as other invited guests.

Chad and Page Houses had the honour of providing a Serving Team for the Chapel Service and the Year 11 boys and girls did a marvellous job. Along with the thurifer team and the bell ringers, all of the serving team are to be commended for their service to the school. In addition to inducting Father Philip, the Paschal Candle was also blessed by Bishop Keith and placed at the front of the Chapel, where it stayed until after the season of Easter.

Father Philip has presided in numerous Chapel services, including the very important ANZAC Day Requiem Mass, and is quickly adjusting to the life of an All Souls St Gabriels School Chaplain. He has continued to preach The Word of the Lord incredibly well and bring everyone in the School together for our weekly worship.

Whilst this is the start of a new chapter for the school, we must also give thanks to Father Kenneth who, every week for close to a year, came out to our school and presided over both Senior and Junior School Chapel services, a role that has since been passed onto Father Philip. I shall leave you now with a thought that is embodied by the numerous traditions such as this that we have at our school: “Let those who drink the water remember those who dug the well”.