Meet our Parish Team

Stella Maris Catholic Parish

Parish Priest: Peter Brannelly

Associate Pastor: Isaac Falzon

Parish Deacon: Michael Khoury

Parish Office Address

Street: 2-10 Church St, Maroochydore, QLD Australia
Postal: PO Box 449, Maroochydore, 4558, QLD, Australia

Office Hours: 9:00am -2:00pm

Fr Peter Brannelly

Parish Priest

Peter Brannelly was raised on the Southside of Brisbane, the first born son of Kevin & Betty Brannelly, older brother of Jo-Anne, Louise and John. He was educated at the parish schools of St Joseph’s, Kangaroo Point, St Elizabeth’s, Ekibin and St Bernard’s Upper Mt Gravatt before going on to complete his primary and then secondary education at Clairvaux College.

After completing his senior year, Peter worked briefly in the bank before entering Pius XII Provincial Seminary at Banyo in 1981 to commence his studies for the priesthood. On 10 February 1989, Peter was ordained a priest by Archbishop Francis Rush at St Bernard’s Church, Upper Mt Gravatt. Fr Peter’s first appointment was as Assistant Priest to St Edward the Confessor Parish at Daisy Hill, followed by Our Lady of Lourdes at Sunnybank. On completion of his term at Sunnybank, Fr Peter was appointed Administrator of St Francis Xavier Parish at Goodna in 1994 and Administrator of St William’s Parish at Grovely in 1995.

With Archbishop Bathersby’s support and blessing, Fr Peter volunteered to work in the mission Diocese of St John-Basseterre (Antigua) in the West Indies in 1995. For the next 11 years, he was pastor of the islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda and the people of the British Virgin Islands. During this time the new church of St William’s in the capital of Road Town was built.

On his return to the Brisbane Archdiocese in 2006, Fr Brannelly served briefly at Burleigh Heads before being appointed as the foundation Parish Priest of the Jubilee Parish with the responsibility of completing the process of amalgamating the historic city fringe parishes of Ashgrove, Bardon, Herston, Newmarket, Red Hill and Rosalie. After 11 years at Jubilee, Archbishop Coleridge appointed Fr Brannelly as Dean of the Cathedral of St Stephen in July 2017. Two years later, Fr Peter was appointed as the Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Caloundra, where he served for four years and celebrated the Parish's Golden Jubilee. In 2022, Fr Peter took up his new appointment as the Parish Priest of Stella Maris Catholic Parish.

Fr Isaac Falzon

Associate Pastor

Fr Isaac Falzon was born and has lived most of his life in Brisbane. His father Robert is a successful business owner and co-founder of menALIVE and his Mother Alicia is an experienced counsellor, family therapist, supervisor and group facilitator. Fr Isaac is the eldest of two brothers and one sister and he holds his family in high regard as they are an extremely important part of his life.

Before entering the Seminary, Fr Isaac completed a Cabinetmaking apprenticeship, worked in hospitality, sales, construction, and welding. He has also travelled overseas.

Fr Isaac was ordained into the priesthood by Archbishop Mark Coleridge on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June 2023 at the Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane. Fr Isaac heard the call to become a priest while volunteering a year of his life with NET Ministries. He was searching for something greater and more meaningful in life and felt as though God was gently directing him towards discerning the priesthood at the Holy Spirit Seminary Queensland.

In November 2022 the Archbishop appointed Fr Isaac, then a deacon, to begin his pastoral ministry at Maroochydore where he will continue his ministry as a Priest following his ordination in June. He is looking forward to meeting and journeying with all the parishioners of the Stella Maris Catholic parish.

Fr Isaac is a fun, outgoing, and friendly character that likes prayer, keeping fit and, the Brisbane Broncos.

Michael Khoury

Deacon

Deacon Micahel Khoury was first ordained to the Diaconate in South Africa. He is part of the Maronite Church but has his faculties with both the Maronites and Roman Rite.

Deacon Michael is a permanent Deacon who is married with a lovely family and children who have mostly moved on from home.

Deacon Michael can generally be seen leading our Baptisms over a weekend and even assisting at the altar in Maroochydore and Sippy Downs.

We're blessed to have Deacon Michael as part of the team as he brings deep faith and reflections on the scriptures. Be sure to catch his reflection in our Newsletters over the coming weeks.