Welcome to Christ Church Brunswick!

Let me introduce myself...

I was born and bred in sunny and humid Colombo, Sri Lanka. I grew up with my younger sister Thilini. Our parents who were career bankers were always there for us. I was privileged enough to go to St. Peter’s College Colombo (a boys school run by the Archdiocese of Colombo) for my primary and secondary education, where I was formed in my Christian faith from a very young age. I used to be a reflective young man at school. When I was 15, I remember how the desire to become a priest came to me while I was reading the Bible in my room. This was a moment of special grace and a touch of the Holy Spirit. However, my parents were not very keen on me becoming a Catholic Priest! They said, “we are educating you to do much better things in life!”, and discouraged my plans to become a priest in Sri Lanka.

Once I completed my Advanced level exams and then a diploma in management, my parents encouraged me to come to Melbourne to begin a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University. After an exciting and challenging period as an international student, I graduated in 2006 with majors in Accounting, Finance, and Commercial Law. However, there was less motivation to go into business in my heart. The desire I had as a 15-year-old to become a priest came back to me as I was thinking about my future. As a result, in 2008, I joined a religious order called the Missionaries of God’s Love (MGL) and began a journey toward becoming a missionary priest.

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After completing a Bachelor of Theology (2014) and a Master of Theological Studies (2016) from the University of Divinity Melbourne, I was ordained in 2015 at St. Dominic’s Camberwell. During my time with the MGLs, I did mission work in Canberra (2008-2009), Melbourne (2010, 2012-2016), Darwin (2011), and Sydney (2017-2018) in various parishes and other settings. In 2019, I came back to Melbourne from Sydney and worked in a large parish in Narre Warren for 3 years as an assistant priest, while studying professional psychological counselling in a part-time capacity. I graduated with a Master of counselling in 2022 and practiced as a Mental Health Clinician in Bendigo from 2023-2024.

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After a considerable discernment period, I joined the Anglican Church in early 2023, as I truly believe it’s the new context I am called to serve God. I have been connected to Christchurch Brunswick since 2022 and was received to the Anglican Church by Bishop Lindsay Urwin, my predecessor. 

In 2025 May, I accepted my current ministry as the Vicar of Christ Church Brunswick.

In 2024 December I married Shanalee Perera in a solemn nuptial mass at All Saints East St. Kilda. Our first Son was born in Oct 2025 and he was our baby Jesus at our Nativity Service last Christmas!

I welcome you to Christ Church Brunswick. Come and See. Encounter God and enter the Mystery of his Love for you! All are welcome at Christ Church Brunswick! 

With every blessing 

Fr Isuru 

Vicar of Christ Church Brunswick 

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