Vale Father Mick Wheeler

Last week the College was informed of the passing of Father Michael (Mick) Wheeler PE.  Father Mick was an integral part of the Nazareth Community from 1986 to his retirement in 2016.

Father Mick was born in 1937 and was one of six children.  He was ordained as a priest in 1971 and was an assistant priest at a number of parishes throughout the 1970s.  In 1981 Father Mick was appointed as Chaplain to the Repatriation Hospital in Heidelberg. He was appointed Parish Priest to the newly established Parish of St Justin's in Wheelers Hill in 1986.

As well as building up his own parish, Father Mick was tireless in his support of Nazareth College.  He celebrated many masses with us over the years and spent time talking with staff, students and families.  He attended many College events outside of school hours.  As a Canonical Administrator, Father Mick helped with the decision making process to expand and enhance the structure of the College.  A passionate Carlton supporter, he had only one rule - no weddings on Grand Final Day.

His sense of humour and ability to reach our students with his homilies were special gifts that he shared with us for over 30 years.  The College honoured Father Mick in 2014 for all his work at Nazareth by naming the newly refurbished Sport and Performing Arts Centre as the Wheeler Auditorium.

Father Mick passed away on Tuesday 12 August at Epworth Hospital aged 82.  We are grateful that he was an active participant in the Nazareth Community for so many years.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.