PPC Members

Jessica Patterson – chair

Perth born and bred, I attended Mercedes College and then UWA Law School in my younger years.  I have built an extremely busy legal career which I juggle with several board and management committee positions of non-profit organisations, together with an olive tree farm, family (including a beloved spoilt-only-Kelpie-child) and many other never-ending activities that take me all around WA, including offshore.  I have been a parishioner at St Mary’s since 1992, including 20 years as the coordinator and manager of readers and special ministers.  I am part of the reading team at the 8am Mass, which is the best Mass for me because I can’t torture people with my singing.  Notwithstanding an already overflowing diary of commitments, I was keen to take up membership of the Parish Pastoral Council in the hope of making a valuable contribution from a slightly different perspective.  I was humbled and delighted to be appointed Chair and pray that I can help lead the Council towards achieving desired goals as a wonderfully eclectic collegiate parish community.

Jet Bautista – secretary

I come from a Catholic family of 12 children, born and raised in the Philippines. After working as an engineer and manager in an energy company for over 30 years in various countries, I migrated here in Perth in 2013. Since 2015, I led the Filipino community at St Mary’s Cathedral, a group that holds the monthly Filipino Mass and other activities centred around St Mary’s Cathedral. In Feb 2018, I became Head Sacristan of St Mary’s Cathedral, to go with the roles of being an acolyte and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. In late 2020, I joined the Parish Pastoral Council of St Mary’s Cathedral, taking on the role of secretary of the council. I am married for 40 years to Marife Bautista and we have 3 children.

Damien Bowen

My wife Alice and I have been parishioners since 1979. We have four children, all in their 30’s. I am a family lawyer and have practised in the city since graduating from university in 1976. St Mary’s as an inner-city parish is unique in that while there are many masses on a weekend,  the opportunities for parishioners to get together, of even to meet, are limited. Parishioners come from beyond the parish boundaries and inner-city residents for whom St Mary’s is their parish church. There are visitors to the city who just want to go to mass. I hope to see the Parish Council encourage and facilitate social and other events to foster a welcoming and inclusive parish life.

Ann Brown

My parents migrated to Australia from the Netherlands in 1956 for a better life, I am one of 10 children. Married to Ken we have 3 children, 5 grand children who we are very proud off. Since moving back to Perth in 1998 (from Sydney) the Cathedral has become our Parish Church, but Sunday mornings we attend St. Francis Xavier. My school days were at St. Mary’s Highgate, St. Peter’s Bedford and St. Thomas Aquinas Bedford. I have been a dental nurse, Flight Attendant and receptionist. I feel very honoured to be a Parish Pastoral Council member representing the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier.

Tony Meyrick

Born and bred in Perth I am one of 5 children of British migrants. The first 35 years of my working life were in the IT industry specialising in accounting software for small to medium enterprises. When I left IT I was lucky enough to secure the role of Cathedral Manager here at St Mary’s Cathedral, a position which I held for 11 years till my retirement in November 2020. This was an extremely rewarding role which I enjoyed immensely. Since retirement I have remained involved in Cathedral Parish life by looking after the Working With Children Card administration as a volunteer and as a member of the newly formed Parish Pastoral Council. I have been married to Sue for 46 years and have 3 adult children and four grandchildren with another on the way.

Anna Rowe

Born in Singapore from a loving Catholic family, my parents and brother lived mostly in Melbourne. Having married Bill the love of my life for 43 years, I spent most of my life in Perth since 1976. Graduated from ECU, Curtin University and Macquarie University (Syd), I am a Fellow CPA. As an academic researching and involving managers in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), I have been blessed with opportunities in university staff exchange to work in Bologna, Prague and the UK. I am involved with the Cathedral reading team and have been an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion; and now nominated to serve with the Parish Pastoral Council. In striving to facilitate social and other parish events to foster a welcoming and inclusive vibrant Catholic community, I seek and pray for your support.

Joan Lim

Peace be with you. I migrated to beautiful Perth in 1989. I work in the insurance industry.  Don’t worry… not in sales. Fr Sean said in one of his sermons: “we are miraculously chosen by God”. Whether we are regular church goers, fervent Catholics or someone who’s walked into church for solace, we ARE miraculously chosen. With your prayers, help and feedback, the Parish Pastoral Council hopes our Parish can grow to be a vibrant  community.