The Spiritans

The Parish of St.Joseph’s/St.Rose was placed in October 2004 under the Pastoral Leadership of two Spiritans, Fr.Paul Walsh C.S.Sp. and Fr.Gerard T.Ryan C.S.Sp.
Both of our priests belong to one of the largest male missionary Congregations in the world, and incidentally both spent many years in Africa before appointments elsewhere.

The Spiritans (members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit) came into existence over 300 years ago in Paris. They were founded by Fr.Claude Poullart des Places, a young French Priest. Initially they worked with the poor in France, but were later able to work with people in (former)French colonies.

In 1848 their numbers being quite low, they were amalgamated with a young, vibrant group of missionary priests, The Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, founded by Fr Francis Mary Paul Libermann.  So our Congregation has a double title, but we are known more familiarly as Spiritans.