KCP - Catholic Diocese of Broome

The end of July will be remembered in the Parish of Derby and in the rest of the Kimberley as a sad time best used for giving thanks to Almighty God for the ministry of one priest whose life has been synonymous with service and dedication. Father Wendelin Lorenz S.A.C. has retired from being Parish Priest of Derby, a position he has held for over thirty-five years. Earlier appointments in Beagle Bay, Balgo and Kununurra take his total time of priestly work in the Kimberley to forty years.
Bishop Saunders presided at a Mass of Thanksgiving in honour of the retiring emeritus Pastor. A record (for Derby) fifteen priests concelebrated including twelve from the Kimberley. Also present were Fr. Ray Hevern, the Pallottine Provincial and Father Joe Butcher- a classmate of Fr. Lorenz who had once served in Derby at St. Joseph's Hostel. Father Greg Tait from the Ballarat Diocese is doing a placement at Balgo Parish and came to Derby for the occasion.
The Mass was a fitting tribute in prayer to the work of Father Lorenz. A packed Church heard Bishop Saunders praise Father's dedication and resoluteness: "He came as a missionary from Germany to a vastly different culture leaving father, mother and siblings and friends behind. He came because he felt called to proclaim the Good News, to help people in their spiritual need, to live the life of a priest firstly in Melbourne, then in Wandering WA and finally he came to the Kimberley. His ministry was always heroic. Almost everywhere he is known and certainly everywhere he is appreciated."

A reception organized by the Parish at the Derby Civic Centre was very well attended. There was plenty of food, conversation, story telling, speeches and remembrances. After thirty-five years in Derby many people had a story to tell about Father Lorenz and were eager to share these with the crowd. It was a sad but joyous night.
Bishop Saunders made a presentation to Father Lorenz on behalf of the Priests, Religious and people - an icon of the Trinity. A beautiful lapel cross hand-crafted in Broome by an anonymous donor was included in the presentation. Bishop Saunders joined his thanks to Father with gratitude to the people of Derby for their outstanding hospitality that evening. He concluded by wishing Fr. Lorenz every good wish and blessing for the future.
Father Ray Hevern on behalf of the Pallottines alerted the gathering to the historical significance of Father's retirement. "Wendelin's departure marks the moment of the last Pallottine in Parish ministry leaving the Kimberley. The Pallottines have served the Church in the Kimberley for 103 years and have enjoyed a proud association with Aboriginal people in many missions and towns."
Parish Council President, Mr. Geoff Porra, spoke highly of Father Lorenz's pastoral care and his commitment to the community. He then presented Father Lorenz with a wallet containing a healthy collection from the people of Derby - a gift generously offered as a token of appreciation. Mr. Chris Kloss was the MC for the evening and conducted the event in his usual professional but shy and retiring manner! The celebration was truly Derby at its best.