Pastoral Council Members
CO-CHAIRPERSONS
David Bland and Tasha Chye
David Bland and Tasha Chye are a husband and wife team who, as a couple,have been members of the parish since 2015.
Tasha has been working in the financial services industry for almost twenty years and in her current role is involved activities run in collaboration with community advocacy groups to support people who find themselves in vulnerable situations. Her professional background spans a variety of experiences including Marketing & Communications, Project and Change Management, Business Strategy, People Development & Training and Customer & Community Advocacy.
David works in local government and has been for the past twenty years in various roles supporting at the grass roots level of community. His career in local government has encompassed project management, contract management, development process, strategy and resource recovery.
Together, they look forward to bringing their respective skills and experience to the Parish Pastoral Council, and contribute to the continued efforts to renew our Parish community.
Christine Comas
My name is Christine Comas and I have had a long association with the parish, as a result of being a parishioner since 1996, Principal of St Monica’s School from 1996 – 2005, and now currently Principal of St Martin’s Catholic Primary School.
I attend St Monica’s Church at 6:00pm on Saturdays and am a Eucharistic Minister and COVID Marshall. Over the years, I have also been involved in assisting at Family Masses, the Sacramental Program and various Parish activities. Both of my sons attended St Monica’s Parish School where they enjoyed being altar servers both at school and parish Masses, and also were involved in the Sacramental Program in the parish.
Having been educated at St Pius X School, Kildare College and St Ignatius College, and having worked in various Catholic schools as a teacher, Deputy Principal and Principal, I have always enjoyed being part of a parish community. Belonging to the Greenacres Walkerville Parish, I enjoy working in a family-based community that encapsulates the vision of serving its community through worship, commitment to Social Justice and outreach programs for different groups, primary education, sacramental programs and pastoral care.
Pat Patience
Married to Bill, with 2 adult sons (our youngest attended St Monica’s Parish School) and 2 wonderful grandchildren who, unfortunately, live in Sydney.
My working life has been in School Library Services.
As a member of the Parish for 40 years, I usually attend Saturday evening Mass at St Monica’s where I share the Sacristan duties.
I represent our St Vincent De Paul Conference and the Work Health Safety Committee on the Parish Pastoral Council and also serve on the Parish Finance Council. As an Eucharistic Minister I take Communion to the Catholic Community at Helping Hand Northgate.
Rose Valenti
My name is Rose Valenti and I currently work as the APRIM (Assistant Principal Religious Identity & Mission) at St Martin’s Catholic Primary School. I have been at St Martin’s since 2011 and during that time I have worked in varying class and administrative roles.
I have been a member of the Greenacres Walkerville Parish since 2009 and since joining the parish, I have undertaken a variety of responsibilities in supporting Fr Kym and our parishioners. Namely, I support our Sacramental Program for primary aged children as one of the team leaders, help with Family Masses and read at during liturgical celebrations.
Originally from Port Pirie, I attended St Mark’s College from Reception-Year 12 and then resided at Aquinas College in North Adelaide during my University studies. I have taught at various Catholic schools, including Caritas College in Port Augusta, Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Rosewater and St Gabriel’s in Enfield.
My husband, Eddy and I have a 7-year-old girl, Jessica who was baptised in the Greenacres Walkerville Parish in 2015. We were also married in our parish. She attends St Martin’s Catholic Primary School. Jessica certainly keeps us on our toes and is full of energy and enthusiasm, and we love watching her grow every day.
Please come and introduce yourself to me when you see me at Mass on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings
CHAIR OF THE PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL
Gerry McCarthy
I grew up in the Enfield Parish and served as an altar boy at the Holy Family Church which stood in the grounds of what is now OLSH College. My mum, dad, aunty, brothers and sisters were involved in Parish life and I can remember as a small boy attending working bees for the building of St Martin’s Church.
My working life was as a primary school teacher and I served on Parish Councils at Millicent and Tea Tree Gully. I returned “home” to live in the Parish again in 2004.
Our previous Parish Priest coopted me onto the Financial Council and I’ve found no way of escaping ever since! I currently serve my Parish through managing finances, maintenance of buildings, safety and welfare and being an active St Vincent de Paul member.
My wife, Cheryl, passed away in 2019. We have three sons who live and work in far flung parts of the world.
Bronwyn Ridley
My name is Bronwyn Ridley and I am the Assistant Principal at St Monica’s Parish School. I was appointed at St Monica’s in 2018 after 13 years at St Gabriels where I was a classroom teacher, Assistant Principal and active member of the Clearview Kilburn Parish.
My husband Craig and I, have been married for sixteen years and have two girls, Lara (14) and Tayla (8). Both born premature, we are grateful everyday for the Grace of God that blessed them with good health and the endless love they gift us with.
In my ‘spare’ time I enjoy going to the gym, spending time with family and friends and supporting my football team the Richmond Football Club. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Greenacres Walkerville Parish and I look forward to the opportunity to meet many of you in the years to come.
God Bless
Bronwyn.
Peter Higgs
My name is Peter Higgs and I have been involved in this parish since 1983. I am married to Kaye and we have two children, Nina and James.
I have served as a reader, Commentator, Eucharistic Minister and member of the P.P.C over the years. I thank the late John Keogh for encouraging me to start as a reader at mass. Kaye and I have also been involved in the Baptism Training Team.
Kaye and I have run a Pharmaceutical supply business since 1991.
We both feel privileged to serve such a great Parish.