Go, Therefore Make Disciples.

The Discipleship Team is dedicated to sharing the hope and joy of the gospel with the youth, young adults and university students of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. In imitation of Jesus' own way of forming His disciples, we have been commissioned by our Archbishop to go out, into the parishes, communities and onto the university campuses of Melbourne and invest in our next generation of leaders, inviting them into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

Jesus calls each one us, by virtue of our baptism and confirmation, to follow him and become his disciples in the world, making the Gospel known by our words and actions. Like the Apostle Paul, Jesus sees deep within our hearts and emboldens us to engage in a life in service to him and others. Each of us is sent as a missionary disciple, to embark on the Gospel mission using our own gifts in the service of God’s kingdom. It is his Spirit that urges us on. - Archbishop Peter A Comensoli

Through small-group Bible studies, opportunities for prayer and formation, and one-on-one discipleship and mentoring, we seek to inspire the young people of Melbourne to embark on the life-long journey of discipleship and equip them to put their gifts and talents at the service of Jesus and others.

Meet the Team

Fr Nicholas Pearce

Senior Chaplain Youth, Young Adults, and Campus Ministry.

Fr Nicholas is a priest of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. In addition to his work on campus, he is completing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counselling through Divine Mercy University in Washington DC and is Parish Priest of St Michael’s Parish in North Melbourne.

Silvana Scarfe

Young Adults and University Discipleship

Originally a Melburnian, Silvana holds a degree in the Liberal Arts from Campion College and has completed postgraduate studies in theology from the John Paul II Institute and canon law studies from St Paul University in Ottawa, Canada.

Maria Michieli

WYD Coordinator

Maria has over 30 years of experience in Catholic Education and in leading groups of young people on exciting adventures around the World. She joins the Discipleship Team to lead up our Pilgrimage from Melbourne to Lisbon for World Youth Day 2023

Emma Bakker

Youth Discipleship

Emma is a mother of four and has a wealth of experience designing and delivering discipleship-based programs with young people and families for 20 years. Emma specialises in supporting parishes and movements, families and young people in developing their skills as leaders and to be evangelists and making disciples in their communities.

Andrew Lemalu

University Discipleship

Andrew is a Melbourne local from the Southeast suburbs, he frequents the Oakleigh parishes of Christ Our Holy Redeemer and Sacred Heart and returns to Melbourne after six years of experience working in campus ministry in the Sydney Archdiocese.

Sr Mary Helen OP

Discipleship Formation

Sr Mary Helen is a religious sister from the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia. Growing up in Melbourne, she studied Chemical Engineering and Science at Monash University before going on to further studies abroad in Moral Theology and Education.

Meet Our University Chaplains

Fr Peter Fitzsimons

La Trobe University

Fr Peter Fitzsimons has degrees in Law and Commerce, a Masters of Commercial Law (1st Class Honours), and a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the University of the Holy Cross, Rome. He was ordained in 2004 and has been involved in university chaplaincies at the University of Auckland, University of Queensland, and Queensland University of Technology.

Fr Cam Smith MGL

Deakin Burwood Campus

Fr Cam is a priest of the Missionaries of God’s Love and, as well as serving as the chaplain at the Burwood campus of Deakin University, is assistant priest at St Benedict’s Catholic Community Burwood. He loves to play guitar, ponder maths and science questions, ride his bike, do jigsaw puzzles and read books of all different kinds.

Fr Robert Krishna OP

Monash University

Fr Robert studied at the University of Sydney with a focus on the History and Philosophy of Science. He became a Catholic in 2003, entered the Dominicans in 2010, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2017. He has a wide variety of interests including the Bible and the Fathers of the Church, spiders, birds, and craft beer.

Fr Nicholas Pearce

University of Melbourne and RMIT

Fr Nicholas is a priest of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. In addition to his work on campus, he is completing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counselling through Divine Mercy University in Washington DC and is Parish Priest of St Michael’s Parish in North Melbourne.

Fr Daryl Montecillo

Deakin University Geelong Campuses

Fr Daryl is the Parish Priest of Corio and Lara. He completed studies in nursing before entering the seminary and was ordained in 2015. Before moving to Geelong, he served in a wide range of parishes and most recently as hospital chaplain to the major city hospitals. Born in the Philippines, Fr Daryl has called Melbourne home since he was two years old.