Meet the clergy
Fr Joe Matsau
Deacon Simon Mamabolo
Deacon Alex Niven
PPC
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) at Church of the Resurrection is a dedicated group of parishioners who work closely with our pastoral team to guide and support the spiritual, pastoral, and community life of the parish. The PPC serves as a bridge between the congregation and the clergy, ensuring that the voices, needs, and aspirations of parishioners are heard, addressed, and integrated into the mission and vision of the church. Together, they aim to foster a welcoming, vibrant parish community that is focused on service, worship, and growth in faith.
The PPC is composed of parish members who represent a diversity of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. Members are chosen for their commitment to the parish and their desire to serve, with each person bringing unique insights to the council’s discussions and decisions. They work collaboratively, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they discern the needs of the parish and the best ways to address them.
Through their dedication and leadership, the Parish Pastoral Council plays a vital role in shaping the present and future of Church of the Resurrection. The PPC welcomes all parishioners to engage with them, share their thoughts, and join in building a faith community that reflects the love, hope, and mission of Christ.
The PPC is assigned the roles of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Financial representative and the rest take on at least one portfolio being Faith Formation, Evangelisation, Liturgy & Worship, Youth & Young Adults, Administration, Marriage & Family Life or Community Engagement.
Our church’s history
Fr Ronan Byrne (CP), a Passionist, was appointed the first Parish Priest for Bryanston and began his ministry on Easter Sunday 1967. Until then, Fr McNab (OMI) travelled from Rivonia to celebrate Sunday Mass at Brescia House. Initially, there was no accommodation so parishioners Jim and Pat Maddison hosted Fr Ronan. He later moved closer to the church site and was accommodated by Carl and Deidre Pingle. Deidre became the first Parish secretary while Carl studied and was ordained as one of the first married Deacons in the Diocese.
Mass was initially celebrated in the Brescia House School Chapel and later in the School Hall. As Parishioner numbers grew (some 350 families), the need for a church became apparent. On the vacant property adjacent Brescia House, the church was built for around R220,000. On 13 November 1977, the new Bryanston Parish Church of the Resurrection was solemnly blessed and dedicated by the late Archbishop Joseph Fitzgerald (OMI). It was built to seat 400 worshipers.
This Church was later converted to the Emmaus Centre when the New church was built.
During the 1980s three parish priests served at the Church of the Resurrection, Fr Ronan Byrne, Fr Kieron McIvor and Fr Adrian Kelly. During that time the Parish Centre was blessed and opened on 6 July 1986 by Bishop Reginald Orsmond. The Garden of Remembrance was also blessed in November 1986.
The early 1990s saw the appointment of Fr Brian van Zeil, Fr Paul Mary Madden, Fr John Craven and Fr Bogdan Wilkaniec.
Most notably Fr Michael Fitzpatrick was appointed in September 1993, during his tenure the current Parish Church of the Resurrection was built, blessed and dedicated by Bishop Reginald Orsmond in 1998. This church was built to accommodate about 1000 worshippers. In January 2011 the Catechetical Centre was opened. Fr Michael remained the parish priest until he passed away in 2014.
Father Keith Gordon-Davis served as parish priest from September 2014 until May 2023. He oversaw the building of the Parkade which opened in February 2017.
Many societies and services have been formed and become active over the years from the Parish. Liturgy in the Parish is alive and well with ever-increasing parishioner participation in church activities. Families of the Parish also continue to grow each year, from their humble beginnings in a school chapel to close on 3,500 registered families today.
It has been a long road so far that has truly been blessed by our Lord. With His grace, we continue to grow and prosper as a strong community that serves others in meaningful spiritual and life-fulfilling ways. May we continue to do so for years and generations to come.
Safeguarding
From the Catholic Church to all Children and Young People
Keeping you safe
You are always welcome in Church and in our parish community.
We are committed to keeping you safe from harm.
If you have been hurt in any way by someone, or you are at risk of being hurt, please tell us straight away so that we can help you.
or
If you know of another child or young person who has been hurt by someone, or is at risk of being hurt, please tell us straight away so that we can help him or her.
Contact us or phone one of the following numbers:
Diosesan contact numbers:
