Assisting the retired clergy to remain safe and independent within their chosen environment.
Credit: Mhrezaa, Unsplash
Assisting the retired clergy to remain safe and independent within their chosen environment.
Fr Andrew Jekot assumed the role of the Clergy Care Coordinator for retired clergy within
the Clergy Life and Ministry Office in the Archdiocese in January 2026. This is in addition to
his appointment as Parish Priest of Our Lady of All Nations Parish, Flemington and Kensington.
This role focuses on those clergy who are approaching retirement or already in retirement.
The Coordinator works alongside three clergy care workers - registered nurses collectively known as the Clergy Care Team (CCT). Funded by the Priests Retirement Foundation, the team provides support and assistance to the approximately 90+ formerly active and now retired clergy from the Melbourne Archdiocese. The members are Therese Rush, Deslee Mortensen and Fiona Healy.
The CCT also facilitates access to support services for clergy in parishes who may require assistance during or after a significant life event. Such support enables clergy to continue their priestly ministry as effectively as possible. For example, a member of the CCT can coordinate care for a parish priest at the onset of an acute illness, including arranging in-home care and domestic assistance.
Upon turning 70, clergy can expect a call and a visit from the Wellbeing Advisor of the Clergy
- Assistance with management of medical appointments
- Provide emotional and pastoral support, including social outings
- Liaise with hospital staff with discharge planning
- Liaise with family and friends as requested by Clergy
- Clinical resource for medications, mobility aids (shower chair), medical referrals, allied health and organize personal alarms
- Assistance to arrange short term nursing care in the home, ongoing domestic help and delivery of meals
- Arrange and coordinate trades and maintenance as required
- Assistance to navigate the My Aged Care (MAC) process
- Liaise with managers of Residential Aged care (RAC) as required
- Work with Justin Villa (JV) staff in regards to respite and permanent care as required
- Liaise with JV staff to accompany residents to medical appointments
- Assist Clergy with the process of sending all paid medical bills to the Clergy Healthcare administrator
- Work closely with the Clergy Life and Ministry team and the Priests Retirement Foundation
Life and Ministry Office, who will accompany them in the years leading up to retirement at age 75. Following retirement, the CCT steps into the primary role in supporting and guiding each clergy in developing a plan to manage his health and wellbeing, enabling
a fulfilling and productive retirement.
The CCT also assists all retiring and retired clergy to remain safe and independent within their chosen environment.
Further information about the actual financial and logistical mechanics of retirement can be found via the Priests Retirement Foundation.
* Arrange suitable retirement accommodation
* Assist with the transition by coordinating the purchase of household supplies and groceries
* Encourage to complete power of attorneys (POAs), advanced care plan, complete a will
* Provide support by regular contact, review current status and navigate progression of care as needed
* Shopping assistance as requested
CCT assistance available to retired clergy include:
- On retirement
Clergy Care Team
Fr Andrew Jekot
Fiona Healy
Fr Andrew Jekot
Deslee Mortensen
Therese Rush
Fr Andrew Jekot assumed the role of the Clergy Care Coordinator for retired clergy within the Clergy Life and Ministry Office in the Archdiocese in January 2026. This is in addition to his appointment as Parish Priest of Our Lady of All Nations Parish, Flemington and Kensington.
This role focuses on those clergy who are approaching retirement or already in retirement.
The Coordinator works alongside three clergy care workers - registered nurses collectively known as the Clergy Care Team (CCT). Funded by the Priests Retirement Foundation, the team provides support and assistance to the approximately 90+ formerly active and now retired clergy from the Melbourne Archdiocese. The members are Therese Rush, Deslee Mortensen and Fiona Healy.
The CCT also facilitates access to support services for clergy in parishes who may require assistance during or after a significant life event. Such support enables clergy to continue their priestly ministry as effectively as possible. For example, a member of the CCT can coordinate care for a parish priest at the onset of an acute illness, including arranging in-home care and domestic assistance.
Upon turning 70, clergy can expect a call and a visit from the Wellbeing Advisor of the Clergy Life and Ministry Office, who will accompany them in the years leading up to retirement at age 75. Following retirement, the CCT steps into the primary role in supporting and guiding each clergy in developing a plan to manage his health and wellbeing, enabling a fulfilling and productive retirement.
The CCT also assists all retiring and retired clergy to remain safe and independent within their chosen environment.
Further information about the actual financial and logistical mechanics of retirement can be found via the Priests Retirement Foundation.
CCT assistance available to retired clergy include:
- On retirement
* Arrange suitable retirement
accommodation
* Assist with the transition by
coordinating the purchase of
household supplies and groceries
* Encourage to complete power of
attorneys (POAs), advanced care plan,
complete a will
* Provide support by regular contact,
review current status and navigate
progression of care as needed
* Shopping assistance as requested
- Assistance with management of medical
appointments
- Provide emotional and pastoral support,
including social outings
- Liaise with hospital staff with discharge
planning
- Liaise with family and friends as requested by
clergy
- Clinical resource for medications, mobility
aids (shower chair), medical referrals, allied
health and organize personal alarms
- Assistance to arrange short term nursing
care in the home, ongoing domestic help and
delivery of meals
- Arrange and coordinate trades and
maintenance as required
- Assistance to navigate the My Aged Care
(MAC) process
- Liaise with managers of Residential Aged
care (RAC) as required
- Work with Justin Villa (JV) staff in regards to
respite and permanent care as required
- Liaise with JV staff to accompany residents
to medical appointments
- Assist Clergy with the process of sending all
paid medical bills to the Clergy Healthcare
administrator
- Work closely with the Clergy Life and Ministry
team and the Priests Retirement Foundation
Clergy Care Team
Therese Rush
Deslee Mortensen
Fiona Healy
Get In Touch
For inquiries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can reach us using the details below or drop us an email!
All enquiries are treated with utmost confidentiality.
CLERGY CARE TEAM
George Maher House
256 Queens Parade, North Fitzroy VIC 3068
P: +61 9287 5541
H: Monday - Friday | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Get In Touch
For inquiries, please don’t hesitate to get
in touch.
You can reach us using the details below or drop us an email! All enquiries are treated with utmost confidentiality.
CLERGY CARE TEAM
George Maher House
256 Queens Parade, North Fitzroy VIC 3068
+61 9287 5541
Monday - Friday | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm