God And Beer- Edition 37- Fr Jude Pirotta (Parish Priest St James the Apostle Parish Hoppers Crossing North) And Sean Menere (Counsellor)
An event from the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria to bring together Catholic men and women of all ages from across the south-east suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, several times a year. The aim is to inspire and strengthen Catholics by providing ideas and inspiration for renewal by drawing on the truth, beauty and goodness of the Catholic faith.
The thirty-sixth face-to-face event (held at the Hoppers Club on Thursday August 7, 2025) featured Fr Jude Pirotta and his nephew Sean Menere. Fr Jude and Sean spoke on the topic of 'Building Resilience and Finding Purpose Through Faith'.
Father Jude M. Pirotta MSSP
Father Jude M. Pirotta MSSP was born in Yallourn, rural Victoria in 1956, the eighth child of a family of eleven. He studied at St Vincent’s Primary School, Morwell, and St Paul’s Secondary Catholic College, Traralgon.
He joined the Paulist Missionaries at the age of 18, completed his training for the priesthood at Catholic Theological College, Clayton, and was ordained on 31 March 1984.
He has served as an Assistant Priest at the Parishes of St Bernadette’s, North Sunshine and St Michael’s, Traralgon, where he was heavily involved in youth ministry. He was also administrator at the Paulist Retreat Centre in Wantirna, and between 1998 and 2004 was Parish Priest of Our Lady of Victories, Horsley Park NSW.
Fr Jude did Clinical Pastoral Education at the Austin Hospital, Heidelberg for 12 months then he began supervisory training at Instep, Mulgrave. In 2005 Fr Jude began his ministry at St James the Apostle Parish, Hoppers Crossing North.
He is a one-eyed Collingwood supporter, enjoys movies, horse riding and swimming.
His nephew Sean Menere is a highly accomplished and experienced counsellor dedicated to helping his clients navigate life's complexities through a grounded and practical approach. As a member of the Australian Counselling Association, Sean brings over 20 years’ experience to his practice. His unique perspective has proven to be beneficial for an incredibly diverse range of clients. The combination is Sean’s professional and personal experience has helped deepen his understanding of psychological and emotional resilience and how they impact psychological wellbeing and relationships.
Sean's approach is highly supportive and engaging. He believes in meeting clients where they are, and creating an opportunity where they can explore their thoughts and emotions openly. Using a combination of Person-Centred, Acceptance and Commitment, and Solution-Focused therapies, Sean tailors each session to address his client's unique needs. His integrated methods provide practical tools that help his clients build self-awareness and manage their challenges effectively, guiding them toward meaningful, lasting change.
Through his practice, Sean is committed to empowering individuals to take control of their psychological well-being, and couples to create harmony. He supports his clients in breaking down complex issues into manageable steps, making progress feel achievable from the very first session. Sean’s nature and genuine interest in his clients' situations fosters a trusting environment where they can discover their strengths and develop the skills needed to thrive.
An initiative of the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria to bring together people of all ages from across the south-east suburbs of Melbourne each month. Our aim is to inspire and strengthen Christians by providing ideas and inspiration for renewing the Church by drawing on the truth, beauty and goodness of the Catholic tradition.
Many thanks to those who made this possible, and those in attendance.
