Fr. Bob Bossini – Parish Administrator

Fr. Bob Bossini

I am delighted to have been appointed to the Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, Fairfield. In many ways it is like coming home to familiar territory since I completed my secondary studies at Patrician Brothers Fairfield. I would like to provide just a little brief biography.

I was born in Port Said, Egypt on March 1st, 1955, of Maltese and Italian parents: Dad was Maltese and Mum Italian. We arrived in Sydney on August 1st, 1957 after my family was expelled from Egypt during the Suez Crisis, since Dad held a British passport. After being airlifted to Cyprus, we were flown to London, where we stayed until our departure to Australia. On arrival we spent some time with my aunt in Petersham, finally moving to Merrylands, which has been our family home since Mum’s death in 2010.

I began my schooling with the Marist Sisters at St Margaret Mary’s Primary School, Merrylands and then to Patrician Bothers Granville (what is now Delaney College). As stated previously I completed my last two years at Fairfield Pat’s.

My religious vocation has been a little of a roller-coaster ride. I entered the Diocesan Seminary of St. Columba’s Springwood where I competed the first years of philosophy. In 1976 I decided to join the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious order whose main apostolate was youth ministry. After an initial year living with the Salesian community at Engadine, I departed for Melbourne to begin their Novitiate year. I took my first vows on January 31st, 1978. After completing my Philosophical studies and teacher training, I was assigned to teach at Salesian College ‘Ruperstwood’ in Sunbury Victoria. I completed my theological studies and was ordained priest at the Shrine of St John Bosc in Engadine on July 11th,1987 by Archbishop Edward Clancy. Since then I have taught in various schools Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart. I have held the positions of Boarding Coordinator and Religious Education Coordinator at various Salesian schools. I held the position of Coordinator of the Don Bosco Youth Centre, Brunswick Victoria. I have also been Rector of several Salesian communities.

In 2004 in was assigned to the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary St Marys (NSW) as Parish Priest and where I stayed till the end of 2010. In 2011 I joined the Diocese of Parramatta and was assigned Parish Priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace from 2011 until August 2013 when I was asked to take on the position of Dean and Parish Priest until July 2020. I have now returned to the Archdiocese of Sydney. Quite a journey. In 2005 have completed in Master of Arts in Theological Studies and hold a Certificate in Spiritual Direction.

My interests are few: reading, movies and classical music. I enjoy people’s company and have found (and still find) a great sense of joy and fulfilment in ministering as a priest. I am deeply impressed in what I have seen in this Parish and I look forward to working with you all in deepening and developing the great work achieved by Fr Michael and his team.

May we continue to pray for and support each other in our vocation.