Father Troy Bobbin with young altar servers at Holy Spirit Parish in Gungahlin, where he encouraged children and families to take an active role in parish life. Photo: Catholic Voice.
The extraordinary farewell given to Boorowa-born priest Father Troy Bobbin this week reflected the quiet but profound influence of a man who spent 30 years walking alongside people through some of the most important moments of their lives.
In a report for Catholic Voice, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn communications manager Jeanine Doyle said more than 1500 mourners filled Holy Spirit Catholic Parish at Gungahlin on Monday 13 July, following Fr Troy’s sudden death from complications associated with treatment for recently diagnosed cancer.
Hundreds more watched online, while about 45 priests joined in celebrating the Requiem Mass marking his three decades of ministry.
Fr Troy Joseph Bobbin was born in Boorowa on 28 October 1962 to Maurice Bobbin and June Corcoran.
He studied for the priesthood at St Paul’s Seminary in Kensington, Sydney and was ordained a deacon on 27 October 1995 before being ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Francis Carroll at St Peter Chanel’s Church in Yarralumla, Canberra, on 17 May 1996.
Starting in Young, his appointments would then take him to parishes across southern NSW and the ACT, including Calwell in Canberra, the Riverina towns of Ardlethan, Barellan and West Wyalong, back to Queanbeyan and finally, Holy Spirit Catholic Parish at Gungahlin.
His connection with country communities continued beyond those formal appointments.
In a tribute following his death, the Jugiong Catholic Church community remembered Fr Troy as, “a kind and compassionate man who was a faithful servant of God and the people”.
Tributes from Queanbeyan reflected the close relationship Fr Troy developed with the community during his years at St Gregory’s Parish.
St Gregory’s said he would be remembered for, “his humility, his love for our parish, his vitality and friendship to many”.
Queanbeyan’s Simplicity Funerals described Fr Troy as, “a beautifully warm, kind and gentle soul who touched countless lives across our region”.
“A man of the community, he will be deeply missed,” its tribute said.
These tributes were echoed at his funeral.
Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Father Richard Thompson read a message to mourners from Archbishop Christopher Prowse who was unable to attend.
The Archbishop said Fr Troy had served the Archdiocese with remarkable devotion and spiritual closeness for more than 30 years.
“His pastoral style was to offer pastoral leadership from the midst of his parish communities,” Archbishop Prowse said.
“He was always keen to shepherd parish and school leaders.”
Delivering the family eulogy, Fr Troy’s nephew Joel Patterson said hundreds of messages received after his uncle’s death repeatedly pointed to one defining quality.
“He would quietly listen, never dismissive, never defensive,” Mr Patterson told mourners.
“He had that incredible way of making you feel like you mattered.”
In his homily, Father Mark Croker, parish priest of St Patrick’s Parish in Cooma and a former parish priest at Gungahlin, reflected on the lifelong health issues and learning difficulties Fr Troy had overcome on his journey to the priesthood.
“He was a battler from the beginning,” Fr Croker said.
Despite those challenges and the demands of parish ministry, Fr Troy never lost sight of why he continued.
When asked why he persevered in work he sometimes found exhausting, his answer remained the same: “Because I love Jesus.”
A tribute published by Holy Spirit Parish after his death revealed that Fr Troy remained focused on his people and the future of the church even during his final illness.
The parish said he was granted a three-hour leave pass from hospital to return for what would become his final parish Mass, where he welcomed 11 people into the Catholic Church.
Only days later, he joined a Parish Pastoral Council meeting online from his hospital bed.
Rather than dwelling on his illness, the parish said he wanted to discuss the future of the community he loved.
“That was Fr Troy,” Parish Pastoral Council chair John Mikita wrote, “his concern was always for others.”
Mr Mikita described Fr Troy as a priest who was never short of ideas.
His plans included parish assemblies, youth ministry, Alpha programs, renovations, new ministries, welcoming religious sisters and finding ways to reconnect with people who had drifted away from the church.
He also developed an “Altar Kids” program encouraging children who had made their First Communion to become altar servers.
The initiative combined training with food and activities, with older students helping guide the younger children.
He was also remembered for his ability to connect with children in Catholic schools.
“He listened without judgement, welcomed without conditions and gently reminded them that God’s love was always bigger than their mistakes,” Mr Mikita wrote.
This commitment to Catholic education continued until his final days.
Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School assistant principal Vanessa Ross told Catholic Voice that Fr Troy had been due to join staff at the Amaroo school for a professional development day at the beginning of Term 3.
The school planned to continue with the program he had prepared in his memory.
“We’ll do that in his memory and honour what he wanted us to do,” she said.
Father Lolesio Gisa, who began serving as Fr Troy’s assistant priest in April, remembered him as an excellent organiser, a dedicated leader and a priest who always wanted the best for his parish.
“You faithfully shepherded our parish with kindness, compassion and dedication,” he wrote, “you celebrated the sacraments with us, preached the Gospel and walked beside us through life’s joys and sorrows.”
Fr Croker concluded his homily with a farewell that captured both the grief and hope of the day.
“You have been totally dedicated to that call … walk on now, we pray, through the heavenly gate … Goodbye, Troy. Rest in peace, old man.”
*About Regional thanks Jeanine Doyle for allowing us to draw on her Catholic Voice report, Thousands farewell Fr Troy Bobbin.
