Father Wrex Woolnough of St Ignatius Parish Toowong celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Ordination with a Mass of Thanksgiving, as he looks back on his journey as a priest which saw him move from Aspley to England to Wavell Heights to Caboolture and then finally, Toowong.
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On his golden jubilee mass, Fr Wrex looked back on his journey as a priest which began in Aspley, where he was posted for two years, before spending the next three years in England.
He returned to the seminary for 13 years, then spent over a decade at Wavell Heights before becoming a Parish Priest at Caboolture for 17 years. From there, he moved to Toowong, where he has spent around four years, also as Parish Priest at the time of writing.
Fr Wrex thanked everyone who showed up in his golden jubilee, sharing how the people’s presence in his life has been significant and how it left a significant mark on who he is.
All the parishioners at St Ignatius Parish are also grateful for all the things Fr Wrex has done for their Parish community since his appointment in 2018.
“We give thanks for the gifts you have shared so freely with the Catholic community of Queensland for 50 years. We celebrate your scholarship, teaching, steady friendship and gentle purpose and offer our loving blessings for the years ahead,” a social media post from the St Ignacius Parish reads.
St Ignatius School Principal Duncan Maitland congratulated Fr Wrex on his golden jubilee, describing him as an important part of the parish and school community.
Always generous with his smiles and hi-fives, Mr Maitland said Fr Wrex is a common face in the playground.
“He has touched so many people’s lives in so many ways. We value his generosity, kindness, joy, ability to have a good laugh and of course, the enthusiasm he shows for the learning happening at St Ignatius,” Mr Maitland said.
St Ignatius Catholic Primary School Toowong had a double celebration that day. Aside from special celebrations for Fr Wrex’s Jubilee, the school also held their annual St Ignatius Day.