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Our St Canice Parish Manager of six years, the smiling, ‘can-do’ Lynelle Lembryk, is moving on to a position that allows her to spend more time with family and be a first-time grandmother to new baby Ryan, who means so much to her.

St Canice’s Elizabeth Bay staff who work closely with Lynelle gather for a simple lunch in Blaiket today to say goodbye and thank you. These include Fr Sacha Goldman and Fr Dave; Bronwyn Clulow and Fran Jauncey, two long-standing friends and volunteers; Carrie, Dre, Davey and Maria from Canice Kitchen; Michael Musgrave; and Greg, a new member to the Parish Team.

Lynelle leaves big shoes to fill. There are so many aspects to what Lynelle contributes to the success of the parish. Attention to administration, bookkeeping, facilities management of many buildings on the property, and parishioner communications duties is to be expected in such a position.

But, perhaps even more importantly here in a parish like St Canice’s, Lynelle brings a special gift of a ‘listening ear’ to the many who telephone, or knock on the door of the parish office every day, or who are guests in Canice Kitchen. True to the Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences, Lynelle patiently accompanies and comforts so many troubled people.

Lynelle works so very closely with our Community Manager Carrie in St Canice’s Kitchen. We can proudly say that the Kitchen ceased serving meals for two weeks only during the Covid lockdowns. Lynelle and Carrie work as a team and carry the caretakers and amazing band of volunteers along with them.

Evangelisation and growing our parish community is another passion for Lynelle. She brings years of experience working in a range of jobs in the Archdiocese and in large Sydney Catholic parishes. Reinvigorating our Parish Pastoral Council and creating innovative events, special liturgies and social interactions brings new life to the parish. With the pandemic behind us, green shoots are now ready to bring new life.

Lynelle’s unstinting support and expertise greatly assisted three parish priests during her six years here in the parish. Fr Chris, Fr Paul and Fr Sacha are all very grateful to Lynelle for her counsel (and at times, patience).

We wish Lynelle well, and thank her most sincerely for all she has done for us as a faith community and for being the smile behind a warm welcome for so many who pass our way.

Lynelle will be at the Parish barbecue after the 10.30 am Mass on Sunday 9th October, St Canice Feast Day, with her grandson. Come and say hello and goodbye.