Fr Emmanuel (Manny) Bonello

Manny Bonello was born on 21 January 1956 in Xaghra, Gozo, Malta. His parents Rita and Joseph are both deceased. Manny is the second last of a family of nine children. After Primary and Secondary schooling, Manny entered the Sacred Heart Major Seminary of Gozo in October 1974 to start his studies for the priesthood. Manny came to Australia July 1979 until August 1980 and did his pastoral intermediary year here as work experience. He lived with his brother and sister-in-law Tony and Mary and worked manually for a year at the Cardboard factory in North Sunshine. Once the year was completed he returned to Gozo to continue his studies and was ordained priest on 25 June 1983 in the Cathedral of Gozo Malta. In 26 October 1983, Manny arrived in Australia and started his priestly work in the Melbourne Archdiocese. He was then appointed assistant priest in the following parishes: Flemington for 3 months, East Keilor for 3 years, Moreland for 2 years, Moonee Ponds for 5 years, and North Reservoir for 6 months and as parish priest in Hadfield for 13 years. Manny was appointed parish priest of St Joseph the Worker Parish, North Reservoir on 4 July 2007.

Manny barracks for North Melbourne (Kangaroos). He likes listening to classical music especially opera, and enjoys working in the Church of Melbourne.

Sister Estelita hails from the Philippines where she joined the Pastorelle Sisters in 1972.  Soon after her profession in 1976, she was assigned to work as a Pastoral worker for four years at St. Mary’s Thornbury Melbourne.  She was then transferred to St. Stephen’s East Reservoir working there for five years.  After making her final profession in 1986, she was recalled to the Philippines holding various positions in the province.

She was elected as a provincial councilor immediately on her return to the Philippines as the same time being principal of their school with 1,300 children.  Other various areas of the Pastorelle ministries in which Sister Estelita got assigned were: serving as Spiritual Directress in the Diocesan Minor Seminary of San Fernando, being engaged in Vocation Work, assigned as liaison officer in Imus Social Action Office, Parish worker at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish and St. Augustine Parish at different times, with involvement in the formation of various ministry groups, and again serving the province as councilor for eight years.

Sister Estelita was enriched by her two years (1991-92) Spirituality Course in Rome after which she engaged in sharing her charism studies to the sisters of the province in various occasions.

Jubilee Year 2000 was a significant year for Sister Estelita for together with another sister, they celebrated their Silver Jubilee of the Religious Profession.  These were twenty colourful years of varied experience in her ministries.

Happy to be back in Australia in 2002, she accepted to work as a Pastoral Associate at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Newtown S.A. where she enjoyed her apostolate for eight years.  In February 2011 Sister Estelita started a new chapter in her apostolic journey in the parish of St. Joseph the Worker North Reservoir where she trusts that her involvement in this parish community will be another beautiful experience for her.

Mrs Liz Pistoni

Liz Pistoni was born in Coburg to Italian immigrant parents.  Attended St Bernard’s primary school followed by secondary education at Mercy College, North Coburg.

She was an active member of her parish involved in several ministries.  She was also a member of Young Vincentians which involved a lot of voluntary work one of which was Ozanam House.

After completing secondary college she attended Secretarial Business College in 1981.

Previous employment:  

Liz started at St Joseph the Worker Parish in 2003 as part-time Parish Secretary, however after a few months she began working full-time.  Her hobbies include Movies, Restaurants, Shopping, Visiting the Sick and Lonely, and going on lovely country drives.

Mrs Maria Barnes

Maria began as the School Principal at St Joseph the Worker North Reservoir in 2016.