'Bloom where you are planted'

Fr Vincent Savarimuthu. Photo: Virginia Knight.

As the Assistant Priest at St Matthew’s Parish, Windsor, and Chaplain to the Tamil community in the Diocese of Parramatta, and Chaplain, NSW Corrective Services at John Morony, Rev Vincent Savarimuthu’s priestly ministry has been distinguished by his willingness to champion the cause of the poor and disadvantaged in his home country of India and the Philippines and now in Australia. This year he celebrates his silver jubilee of ordination to priesthood.

Born on 31 May 1959 in the village of Puliadithammam in Tamil Nadu, Fr Vincent is one of 12 children. He was educated in Catholic schools in the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Sarugani, walking 4km every Sunday to Mass.

Fr Vincent credits his parents as the most significant influence on his faith life.

“They initiated me into the life of prayer and implanted in me the value of respect for other human beings and the importance of upholding their dignity,” he said.

Despite the strict parameters of India’s caste system, his parents welcomed all people into their home as equals, something that would impact his view of the world.

He was also attracted by the simple lifestyle of the Parish Priest, a French missionary Fr Louie Levi, and his dedication to the poor and marginalised.

Consequently, the young Vincent was inspired to enter the preparatory seminary in Gnanaolivupuram, Madurai at age 13. However, he said he did not really understand the nature of priestly life until he went to Arul Anandar College, Karumathar, where he completed a BA in Philosophy.

After his Theological studies at St Paul’s College, Trichy, he was ordained on 21 April 1985 in Madurai and celebrated his first Mass in his home town.

His first appointment was as Assistant Priest in the parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Srivilliputhur. As there was no chapel or church, Fr Vincent celebrated the first street Mass with the people congregating on a corner under the street light.

“It was a beautiful experience and drew a lot of people back to the church,” he said. From this experience he realised the importance and the impact of reaching out to the people at the grassroots.

On Social Justice Sunday, in the parish of Kamuthi, he preached against discrimination and the caste system. The rich and famous of the parish threatened not to attend Mass again if he persisted.

However, his professor in the seminary was quick to offer encouragement. “He said: ‘Fr Vincent, you should be proud of this, because, so many people don’t even listen to the homilies!’.

“Sometimes we need to run against the current and do something good for the sake of the people.”

During his posting to the Philippines, Fr Vincent completed his Masters in Family Counselling while Assistant Priest of Lord of Divine Mercy Parish. He studied Cultural Anthropology and was the first foreign priest to celebrate Mass in the Philippines Senate.

When he arrived in Australia on 1 June 2005, Fr Vincent said it was a huge cultural shock to see only a few people attending Mass. He was appointed Assistant Priest at Holy Family Parish, Luddenham, and Chaplain to the Tamil community in the Diocese.

With the encouragement of Fr Paul Marshall, currently the parish priest at Toongabbie, he was able to minister to the Luddenham Community.

Every last Sunday of the month, he celebrates the Eucharist with the Tamil Community of Sydney at Sacred Heart Church, Westmead. Every time the church is packed with more than 200 people.

Fr Vincent encourages the adults, young people and children to be involved in planning and participating in the Mass. They take turns to organise the celebrations.

He extends his heartfelt thanks to the Tamil Community for a wonderful celebration of his jubilee at Seven Hills on 13 June this year.

Fr Paul’s presence on this occasion and the participation of the representatives from Luddenham and Windsor parish communities added colour to the celebration.

For Fr Vincent, the marvellous gift of priesthood is celebrating the sacraments and to be a part of people’s life. He is able to be a source of consolation, comfort and guidance for many people who are in trouble. “We are an icon of the face of Jesus in building the atmosphere of love in the family and the community.”

To young people considering a vocation he would encourage them to embrace the spirit of service in what is an uplifting and fulfilling ministry. “Life is not easy, but since you are responding to God’s call, I am sure that He will be there with you.”

Now incardinated in the Diocese of Parramatta, Fr Vincent’s motto for his priesthood is “bloom where you are planted” and “never be a reason for another’s misery”.

Fr Eric Burton: 60 years of priestly ministry

Fr Eric Burton. Photo: Virginia Knight.

By Virginia Knight

On 24 July, Christ the King North Rocks Parish Priest Fr Eric Burton celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to priesthood.

He is quick to point out that the honour is not his alone, but is shared with Fr Les Campion, Fr David Scott, and Mons John Walsh.

These men were ordained on the same day in 1950, in the same ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Fr Stan Campbell was ordained later in Armidale and Fr Eugene Kenny in Rome.

To celebrate this important commemoration of their commitment to priestly life, they were joined by family, friends and parishioners for a special Mass on Saturday 24 July.

Bishop Kevin Manning, Emeritus Bishop of Parramatta, was the principal celebrant at the Mass, which was concelebrated by Bishop Bede Heather, the first Bishop of Parramatta, and Fr Eric's fellow jubilarians: Fr Campion and Fr Scott, Mons John Walsh and Fr Stan Campbell.

Born in Newtown in 1925 to Mary and John Burton, Fr Eric is the middle of three sons. He attended the parish school of St Paul’s Primary at Dulwich Hill and went on to Lewisham Boys High School for his secondary schooling.

After a short stint as a telephone technician the young Eric entered the seminary at Springwood in 1942.

"I grew up in a general atmosphere of faith," Fr Eric said. "It was a strong faith parish and Lewisham Boys had a great tradition of young men entering the priesthood – I was priest no. 79. We were always in competition with Joeys."

Fr Eric credits three priests from that time – Rev Dr Pat Toumey, Fr John Byrne and Fr Reg Reynolds – as having a significant influence on his decision to enter the seminary. While there was no defining moment, he felt gradually drawn to the priesthood, believing it was a worthwhile choice.

“I thought there was more to life than material things,” he said.

'Priesthood is being a part of people's lives'

Fr Eric Burton surveying the site of the 1973 North Rocks church and school.

"We were a great support to each other," Fr Eric said, reflecting on his brother's important role in his life.

Fr Kevin Burton died last year. Fr Eric’s first posting was for six years to Rockdale as Assistant Priest where he said his ministry involved a lot of parish visitation.

"You could find people at home in those days," Fr Eric said.

He was also involved in organising the youth group. Thereafter, he had a number of postings at Earlwood, Dee Why, Woolloomooloo and Balgowlah before coming to North Rocks in 1970 as the first Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish.

"There was lot of enthusiasm as there always is in young parishes."

Building materials were not easy to come by, so an old convent was transported by rail from Nymagee to Parramatta and re-erected. It comprised a small chapel, offices and a couple of bedrooms. The present church was built at North Rocks.

For Fr Eric, the highlight of his priestly ministry has been celebrating the Mass and thesacraments with the people of God and endeavouring to meet the needs of the people in his parish.

"An important part of priesthood is being a part of people's lives, especially in caring for the sick and in the area of education."

He said one of the big challenges of today’s Church was inspiring the laity to become involved in the life of the parish.

"They are an essential part in assisting the priest in his parish ministry, especially in the new evangelisation."

In his downtime, Fr Eric likes to get out and do battle over 18 rounds with a regular group of friends who join him at St Michael’s golf course each week.

For relaxation, he loves to read, including the works of PG Wodehouse, and revisit his Irish heritage by listening to the lilting ballads of the land of his grandparents.

Of the five men ordained on that July day 60 years ago, Fr Eric is the only one still resident as parish priest and yet this gentle, quiet achiever shows no sign of slowing down, still enjoying serving in the parish he established 40 years ago.

Fr Eric feels that his milestone of 60 years as a priest should not be celebrated as an achievement for his own sake, but as a celebration of priesthood itself.

Fr Ron McFarlane celebrates 40 years of priesthood

From left: Fr Dave Hume, Fr Robert McGuckin VG, Fr Ron McFarlane, Fr Chris De Souza, and Fr Clifford D'Souza.

On 4 July 2010, the parish community of St Andrew the Apostle at Marayong celebrated the 40th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of their Parish Priest, Fr Ron McFarlane.

About 1200 people were at the Thanksgiving Mass, which was concelebrated by fellow priests from the Diocese of Parramatta: Fr Robert McGuckin VG, Fr Chris De Souza, Fr Clifford D'Souza and Fr Dave Hume.

The Readings were read by Fr Ron's brothers, Barry and Bernard. The choir was a combined choir from the various groups in the parish.

Afterwards, the gathering adjourned to the John Paul II Campus of St Andrew's College to continue the celebration. One of the wonderful things about this parish is that they know how to put on a party.

Members of the parish music ministry staged a two-hour concert, which was an entertaining and enjoyable way to finish the afternoon.

The day had been organised by a committee of parishioners overseen by Joyce Inglis. The whole community came together and played their part in assuring that it was a memorable day for Fr Ron and for the parish.

In his homily, Fr Ron spoke about being a priest for 40 years and said he was still working at becoming a priest. He highlighted the importance of the Mass and of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

He emphasised that the priest was an ordinary person journeying with other ordinary people and how it has been the people he has worked with and for who have been his main support.

He stressed that all vocations were equal and mutual. He spoke about the wonderful rediscovery of lay ministry in the Church, which has seen many changes in parish life since he was ordained, and these changes were for the better. In this context, he spoke about how we all have a vocation.

'Love each person as Jesus does'

  

Fr Ron McFarlane gives the homily at the Mass of Thanksgiving for his 40th anniversary of ordination to priesthood.

Fr Ron McFarlane with his cousin Bernadette, brothers Bernard and Barry, and sister-in-law Felicity.

Fr Ron also spoke about what some people perceive as an identity crisis among priests. His point was that the priesthood was an objective reality, which is not defined by us for it is the priesthood of Christ.

He made the point that at times we do not live up to the expectations of the Church and sometimes we might have difficulty keeping a proper balance.

Fr Ron believes many men are called to priesthood but, for a variety of reasons, they do not accept the invitation.

He also pointed out that there is no certainty that a person will persevere even if they believe they have a vocation. The point he was making is that to discover what God is truly asking of us we need to be prepared to step out on a limb and take some risks. To Fr Ron, it was worth the risk because of the incredible gifts this vocation offers.

"If I had the opportunity to start all over again, the fundamental option of accepting priesthood would still, I believe, be present. To date, it has been a great life, enjoyable and rewarding,” he said.

“The challenges I see in the priesthood are the same I see for every life. They are to love each person as Jesus does; to see Jesus in the other and to be prepared to give time, attention, care and presence to them.

“Finally, I once read a passage would like to share:

The more I give the more I receive.

The more I teach the more I learn.

The more I minister, the more I am ministered to."

Fr Gerry (seated right) is grateful for the support of the parish team including (standing, from left): Louise Woefl, Sacramental Coordinator; Sabine Harriss, Parish Secretary; Sr Helen Cunningham OP, Pastoral Associate; Fr Zakaria Gayed, Assistant Priest; and Richard Ward, Parish Manager (seated left).

At times self deprecating despite the many achievements in his priestly ministry, but with a wonderfully wry sense of humour, Rev Gerry Iverson celebrates his golden jubilee in July.

Exactly 50 years to the day of his ordination on 16 July 1960, Fr Gerry will be joined by Bishop Anthony, parishioners and friends from across the Diocese at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish for Mass at 7pm followed by a reception in the parish hall.

The eldest of four children (he has two brothers and one sister) Gerry Iverson was born in 1937 to Claude and Kathleen Iverson. He grew up in Albury and was educated at St Patrick’s Primary and Christian Bros College.

After completing his schooling, the young Gerry went straight into the seminary in 1954 at just 17 years of age.

“Later at Manly, I used to tell my own students that had I been the rector of the seminary at the time I would have said, ‘Gerry Iverson go away and grow up a bit and come back later on’.” 

He said a number of things drew him to priesthood.

“It was a vocation which had a lot more prestige attached to it than it does now,” Fr Gerry explains.

With such a strong Irish Catholic presence in the parish, the priest at that time was almost an icon in the community.

One of the teachers at his high school also had a very strong influence on his decision to become a priest.

“Br Tom Davitt, a Christian Brother, was a wild eccentric Irishman, but his love of the priesthood was profound and his influence on us was extraordinary. It seemed like a very fulfilling kind of vocation.”

Gerry spent two years at the seminary in Springwood, and a further seven years at Manly, including two years of graduate studies.

His first appointment was in 1963 to the parish of Junee as second curate. He did “a lot of knocking on doors” for home visitation and set up a young people’s group.

After 12 months at Junee he was transferred to the Cathedral parish at Wagga Wagga as fourth curate for four years. “I was the bottom of the barrel,” he said grinning.

Following a three-year appointment at Griffith he returned to the Cathedral as Administrator from 1973-78 under Bishop Frank Carroll. As the leader of the parish team, it was during this time that Fr Gerry began working officially in the ministry that has been one of the focuses of his priesthood.

Working with counsellors from Charles Sturt University and other Christian clergy he helped to establish a marriage and personal counselling service in Wagga, which was similar to the type of service now provided by Centacare.

In 1979, Fr Gerry returned to academia in a very different way as he puts it, when he went off for a ‘mid-life re-education’ at the Institute of Pastoral Studies in Chicago in the US.

He completed a Masters degree with a wide scope for developing pastoral skills, updating his knowledge of theology and scripture, psychology and understanding human behaviour. He said this was a wonderfully enriching period in his life.

On his return to Australia, he accepted an appointment as curate in Albury and then Griffith while becoming Director of Marriage Education and Family Support for five years in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga.

From 1985-90, Fr Gerry was rector of the seminary at St Patrick’s College, Manly.

“And God laughed,” he said. “It was a rewarding experience to be in charge of the formation of these young people and dealing with their enthusiasm and their questions of commitment; facing up to the realities of inconsistency and human failure, and all the things that can interfere with the best of our intentions.”

Archbishop Ted Clancy sent Fr Gerry to look at what was happening in formation at seminaries around the world for three months. He came back determined to ensure the students were more active in the evaluation process of their formation experience than they had been before.

He aimed to produce a fairer process of participation in which they would give the educators feedback and they, in turn, would react and respond. It was an enjoyable but challenging time, and he feels he worked harder there than anywhere else in terms of a sense of responsibility.

However, he missed the variety of closeness with families that parish ministry brings.

“It was in one sense a desert experience. But, of course, in the desert the flowers bloom after the rain comes; so it was also a very rich experience.”

Looking for a change of pace, he then applied for temporary work in the Diocese of Parramatta. Bishop Bede Heather sent him to Mt Kurrajong House of Prayer, which was a much more relaxed lifestyle in comparison to his time at the seminary.

Once he was incardinated in Parramatta, he was appointed to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. Fr Gerry came to Greystanes on Easter Sunday 1994 in the fallout of the sexual abuse accusations that had seen the Brothers of St Gerard Majella depart that year and the parish subsequently handed back to the diocesan clergy.

Fr Gerry was faced with another career challenge, this time to rebuild and reunite the parish. He saw his job as reinforcing the positives achieved by the brothers during their administration, and focussed on high-quality liturgy and a strong adult formation program.

While many felt disillusioned and walked away, many others recognised the chance of a new beginning. Now in his 17th year at Greystanes, Fr Gerry is proud that the parish has achieved a sense of ownership.

“There is a significant number of people involved in ministry and the quality of the leadership is extraordinary,” he said.

But by far the most enduring part of Fr Gerry’s ministry has been assisting in marriages. At Greystanes, he has enjoyed preparing couples for marriage and watching the growth in their understanding of the challenges and the strengths they develop with each other.

“The best thing about being a priest is the entrée card it gives you into people’s lives. You can be with them in their most precious moments, their moments of grace.

“It is not just the celebration of the sacraments that is important, but the sharing of the joy and the sorrow, struggles and hopefulness, and all those human emotions that go with those different stages of life.”

The hardest part is sometimes the loneliness.

“The biggest burden as one grows older is the sense of loss of sharing in the most common of human experience; that of raising children and being a father,” he said.

“What helps you to cope is the trust people bring to you in inviting you to be a part of their family life. The cultivation of friendships is the essential counterpart of priestly ministry. You are a friend to a great number of people and it is a great support in maintaining a priestly ministry.”

As he prepares to celebrate 50 years of priesthood, Fr Gerry cites the words of Jesus in John 10:10 as his choice in Scripture: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” He feels it sums up the priesthood and Christian life, and is a most wonderful way of living a fulfilling human life.

Fr Gerry will celebrate his golden jubilee with a Mass at 7pm on 16 July followed by a reception in the parish hall. For catering purposes, please advise the parish if you will be attending, by phoning (02) 9631 8135.

Parish priest of Our Lady of the Angels Fr Warren Edwards with parish secretary Eileen Reyes. Photo: Virginia Knight

For Rev Warren Edwards one of the best things about priesthood has been the opportunity to get to know and work with the people in the parishes to which he has been appointed.

But the most extraordinary experience to date has been establishing the parish of Our Lady of the Angels at Rouse Hill. As the first parish priest, he said it had been a blessing to work with the parish community to get the project underway.

“To be able to be a part of forming the parish with them and making it as they would like it to be is an enormous privilege and is destined to be one of the biggest, but most rewarding challenges of my priesthood,” he said.

Fr Warren grew up in Kingswood, the third of four children (two brothers and one sister). His parents, Les and Margaret Edwards, have lived in the same home and parish since their marriage.

Fr Warren went to school at St Joseph’s Primary, Kingswood and St Dominic’s College, Penrith.

He trained to become a high school teacher of Mathematics, Science and Religion at the Castle Hill campus of the Australian Catholic University (at that time the Catholic Teachers College). His first posting was to St Columba’s High at Springwood.

During his time at university in his early 20s Fr Warren said he drifted away from the Church, something which he attributes more to laziness than as an objection to Catholicism.

“I was a part-time Catholic for many years. I went to Mass occasionally with friends, but I was basically just too lazy to get moving. It was not a problem with the Church or Catholicism, it just wasn’t a priority.”

When he was about 24 he attended a talk that would be the catalyst that brought him back to the Church. “They pointed out things that were important in the practice of the faith that I had been told were no longer important,” Fr Warren said. He found himself thinking that those teaching him had really got things wrong. He began praying, going to Confession and attending Mass every Sunday.

Rejuvenated in his faith, he found teaching Religion was more enjoyable. As his own faith grew he seemed to convey this in some way to his students. The connection to God and the Church grew subtly in his heart and he found that wanted to do something different, more in the service of God, like missionary work.  He made up his mind to pursue this but just missed the intake for the beginning of the year.  It would not be till later that year before he could go.

To fill that year he got a job at St Agnes High, Rooty Hill. It was during that year, in the Easter of 1992, that Fr Warren finally identified the inner change in himself. Once again, while attending a faith group discussion he found himself reflecting out loud, “I think I am going to be a priest.”

Suddenly, the prospect became exciting. He had ticked all the boxes in his mind when considering what he would give up and accepted all the aspects he would embrace in the new life he was contemplating.

“It was everything I wanted to do. Everything fit perfectly, even though I had never actually thought about it before. I have never had any doubts. Once I made the choice I always felt that what I was doing was right.”

Fr Warren was drawn to the Capuchin order, feeling companionship with the teachings of St Francis and the order’s rather radical way of living; of leaving so many things of the world behind, by treasuring heaven and becoming a witness for God.

He studied philosophy for two-and-a-half years in the US with the Friars of Renewal in New York. He worked among the poor of the Bronx on street patrol, befriending the homeless, and participating in a ‘Youth off the Streets’ program, working with troubled youth at a gym in the afternoon, and teaching at summer school.

During his last six months in the US, Fr Warren was Director of the Shelter for Homeless Men before returning to Australia to complete his studies in theology in the seminary at Homebush.

He was ordained in St Patrick’s Church at Blacktown by Bishop Kevin Manning on 2 August 2002 – the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels. His first appointment was to St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish in Parramatta.

He recalls his ordination as a great day. The support of his family, friends and parishioners, and the uplifting music augmented by the choir combined to make it the most amazing Mass he has ever experienced.

But more incredible was the realisation that at last he was a priest and able to minister in the way he had been longing to do. “I was ordained on the weekend, and on the Monday I was in the Cathedral celebrating Mass and hearing confession from those who had in many ways become my friends. And it was not awkward or difficult. In an incredible, blessed moment in time I had become a priest.”

It is the simple act of living out his priestly ministry that Fr Warren pinpoints as the highlight of his vocation. “To be able to do all the things to help people – celebrating the sacraments, hearing confession, celebrating Mass – to have been given the gift of priesthood is a blessing.”

He reflects that people often liken the work of a priest to that of a social worker or counsellor. But for Fr Warren, being a priest is far, far different. “What you are as a priest is significantly different. When people come to me, I don’t consider it to be counselling. They are coming to talk to their priest about the issues in their life that they need help with.”

Fr Warren said the most challenging part of priesthood was often being the voice of an unwanted message in the wider world. Christians have always been faced with spreading a message that a large part of the world’s population might not want to hear.

“It is not about making the message more relevant, but to be that necessary voice, even though it is unwelcome at times, and to bear that unwelcomeness,” he said.

Fr Warren would advise men who are contemplating priesthood to listen when they are being called. People often ask: “Is this what I am meant to do?” He feels it is more a question of: “Is this what I want to do?’ And if the answer is yes, then God is probably working in this calling.

“Don’t let fear ever stand in your way and stop you from doing something you want or feel you are called to do,” he said.

For Fr Warren it is the simple text of Psalm 73 (featured on the prayer card for his ordination) that encapsulates his priestly ministry: ‘Who have I in heaven but you and apart from you I desire nothing on earth.’

“People have doubts about obstacles in their path, and ask is this God’s will? I have always felt that it is.” Fr Warren’s total consecration to God is what his life is about.

Double celebration for a priest and his parish

Fr David Scott. Photo: Tim Ellis.

Bishop Anthony Fisher OP was the principal celebrant at the Mass, which was concelebrated by Fr David’s brother priests including Fr Eric Burton, a close friend and fellow seminarian in their younger days.

Fr David is the middle of three brothers – Michael is the youngest and John died a week after Fr David had a stroke in October last year.

David was devoted to his parents, Jack and Gladys Scott, and the stained glass window behind the altar in St Paul the Apostle Church is dedicated to them.

He grew up in Kingsford in the parish of Daceyville. The parish priest, Fr Charles Foley, was his mentor and inspired him in his decision to enter the priesthood. Tragically, he died six months before David was ordained.

David was educated at St Michael’s Primary and what was then Marist Randwick (now Marcellin College).

He was called to his vocation before he finished school, entering St Columba’s College, Springwood after the intermediate and completing his studies at St Patrick’s Manly.

Fr David’s first brief appointment was six weeks at Katoomba. From there he went to St Therese’s, Lakemba. He served in a number of parishes in the Archdiocese until his appointment as parish priest of Winston Hills in 1970.

If you were to ask him what he was most proud of during his years in parish ministry, he would regard the years he spent at Winston Hills as the highlight. He spent 40 of his 60 years as a priest building the parish from the ground up.

Fr Roger Wynne at North Parramatta had procured the land on behalf of the Archdiocese. In 1970, Fr David was appointed the first parish priest and has been instrumental in the purchase of or construction of the church, presbytery, convent and school buildings. As well as being their pastor, he was seen by parishioners as a very good administrator.

In 1976, he went to the Holy Land and Europe with his close friends from seminary, brothers Fr Eric and Fr Kevin Burton. On this occasion he visited Villers-Bretonneux in France where his father, Jack, had been severely wounded in 1918. He went on to Rome where he celebrated Mass in St Peter’s Basilica.

His brother Michael said David was well known for his love of sport, in particular golf. For many years he had played a round every Monday at St Michael’s Golf Club.

If you asked any of the many people whose lives have connected with Fr David what stands out most, they would point to his devotion to the South Sydney football team.

On the occasion of the recent anniversaries, a common colour theme in the cards from the parish schoolchildren was red and green in tribute to his beloved Rabbitohs.

Fr Walter Fogarty: community involvement is essential

Fr Walter Fogarty with St Monica's Primary principal, Lyn Legrand, and new member of school staff Leanne Duval. Photo: Virginia Knight

By Virginia Knight

“Being a priest is all about creating a balance in life so that you are available for people. It is about being involved in people’s lives.” This is how Fr Walter Fogarty, parish priest of Richmond, describes a priest’s role in the 21^st Century. 

“One way of achieving that involvement is through celebrating the sacraments as part of a community,” he said. “That is what it is about, being part of the community.

“Whether you are at the altar or out and about in the community it is the same. You have to be real. Priesthood is not something you can put on and take off. Underlying it all is a sense of a personal relationship with God and the challenge to live out that relationship.”

Fr Walter has been ordained for nine years and Richmond is his first appointment as parish priest. He values the opportunity to interconnect with the community, to be able to touch people’s lives and give real meaning to the sacraments and the place of God in people’s lives.

He seeks to make connections with families through his ministry, to meet people where they are at in terms of the practice of their faith and to get to know them better.

Fr Walter said one of the biggest personal challenges about this appointment was the administration of the parish; something people do not generally associate with a priest’s duties.

It reminds him of something a priest friend once said: “I spend most of my time doing what I was never actually ordained to do, like administration and attending meetings.”

Fr Walter has spent much of the past 22 months observing and looking at how the parish of Richmond can expand to meet the needs of the local community. With the new building program at St Monica’s Primary drawing to completion, he is still keen to continue developing closer ties between the school and wider parish community.

In the same way, he has been liaising with the chaplains at the local Richmond RAAF base to develop community relationships and address how Defence families can become more integrated into the parish community. A similar approach will be adopted this year with the Hawkesbury campus of the University of Western Sydney.

Figures in the Bureau of Statistics census indicate more Catholics live within the Hawkesbury than are attending Mass. Reaching out to this wider community is a significant ongoing priority for the parish.

Participation in the parish’s sacramental programs has increased considerably indicating a growing number of families becoming involved within the parish. This is perhaps the result of the parish fostering an open and welcoming approach to community.

“How do you evangelise?" Fr Walter said. “How do you compete in the marketplace with all the other voices that are out there? These are significant challenges that the whole parish needs to address.”

As a member of the diocesan Sacraments of Initiation Subcommittee, Diocesan Liturgical Commission and Ongoing Formation of the Clergy Committee, Fr Walter will be one of a team actively involved in the implementation across the Diocese of the new translation of the Missal during 2010.

“One of our greatest challenges in the next 12 to 24 months will be to learn from past experiences,” he said. “We need to work a lot more at ensuring people come along on the journey of change; that it is not just a case of instruction from on high. People need to understand the reason why the new translation has come about, and be a part of the transition process.” 

So what does the Year for Priests mean to Fr Walter Fogarty? “It is a chance for us (clergy) to focus on our own priesthood, our own personal call,” he said. “Sometimes we are so caught up in day-to-day matters that we forget to stop and reflect on what it means for us personally to be priests.

“There is a sense of taking account of how my priesthood is going in relation to the mission of the Church. It is a year to focus, and an opportunity to bring personal reflection into our dealings with the people we are called to serve.”

Ordained a deacon in February, John Watkins is a step closer to priesthood. (Mass photography: Alphonsus Fok & Grace Lu)

Bishop Manning presided at the Mass, which was concelebrated by Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, then Bishop-elect of Parramatta, and 40 priests of the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond.

In his homily, Bishop Manning spoke of the role of the deacon: “In this life of service, John, you are not a universal ‘Mr Fix It’. “What you offer is hope. You are called to be a beacon of hope, the hope that the Christians have in Jesus Christ. Your resources, your tool-kit, are the Gospels, the compassionate heart of Christ, the sacraments of the Church, and the welcoming love of the Christian community.”

Following the Mass, John thanked his family for their constant encouragement, love and support. “Their strong faith in Jesus Christ has enabled me to have a close relationship with Jesus and follow him in this way of life,” he said.

“A special thanks to Bishop Manning, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve under his leadership and an even a greater honour to be ordained by him; to Fr Chris De Souza who was instrumental in helping me discern my vocation; to Fr Walter Fogarty and Fr John Hogan, all the staff of Holy Spirit Seminary and the lecturers of the Catholic Institute of Sydney who have guided me throughout my time in formation.

“I would like to thank everyone here for your prayers and support in my journey towards Holy Orders. I would ask you to continue to keep me in your prayers as I prepare for priesthood. Your support would also assist in my ministry as a deacon in St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith.”

John is now in his eighth year of formation and has been living and studying at the Diocese of Parramatta’s Holy Spirit Seminary in St Marys. Including John, there are 11 men discerning the vocation of priesthood for the Diocese.

Over the past 12 months, John has been has been undertaking a pastoral placement St Nicholas of Myra Parish, studying how the sacraments are prepared and celebrated. He has also been working with the Penrith young adult group, Flock 99.

John grew up in a family of four children in St Matthew’s Parish, Windsor. During the school holidays, he would walk one hour to attend Mass and stay on after Mass had ended to continue praying.

When he was 15 and an altar server, his parish priest, Fr Maurice McNamara, posed the question, “Have you ever thought about becoming a priest?” John’s initial reaction was, “You have got to be crazy!”

However, this question was echoed by others in his parish and the Filipino community over the next few years.

After graduating from Bede Polding College, John studied computer programming at TAFE for a year before entering the seminary. He started with a small group of five seminarians who bonded well, studied together and socialised.

“You have your ups and downs in the seminary,” he said, “but it is through the support of your family, close friends, other seminarians and seminary staff that you face the reality of your decision.”

John said that as a priest, he wanted to help people to strengthen their relationship with God through celebrating the sacraments. John said he found fulfilment in seeing God in people’s lives, particularly the young, as they open up and shared their own experiences of Him.

By Virginia Knight

Fr Suresh Kumar MSFS

These men nourish and enrich the faith life of the community, serving in parish ministry and chaplaincy.

Fr Suresh Kumar MSFS is an assistant priest at St Patrick's Cathedral and chaplain to the Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Apostolate.

He belongs to the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales, which was founded by Fr Peter Marie Mermier at Annecy, France, in 1838. The order was introduced to Australia from India in 1998 by Cardinal Clancy.

Fr Surest describes himself as having been a "mischievous" young man. Knuckling down to life in the seminary in India was to provide many challenges. These included leaving his family and home town to live in another state to discern his vocation to priesthood.

"Finding vocation is like this," he said. "God doesn't give a call on the mobile phone. He doesn't send a text message or an email. It comes from within. There is a prompting of the Spirit.

"We do not become priests for ourselves, but for God and His people. When God wants, He makes sure that things go according to His wish. It is completely in His hands. And somewhere along the line, I felt like I was meant for this. And this kept me going, despite all the challenges."

Born in India, one of four children, Suresh and his family converted to Christianity when he was seven. He describes his conversion as "a big leap".

Embracing a new religion was not an easy path, his family had to give up many aspects of their previous lifestyle and it is a testimony to their devotion to their new faith that any hardship they suffered was accepted gracefully.

Growing up, Suresh never thought about becoming a priest, "All I ever wanted to be was a police officer." His call to vocation came gradually as he began to identify within himself a wish to help out in his community.

Reflecting on his experiences within the Church as an altar boy and youth group leader, he began considering a vocation. However, it was not until an enlightening moment when he discovered an abandoned newborn baby that he fully accepted that his calling was to help those who were really in need.

He entered the Fransalians because he felt drawn to the Salesian spirituality, yet knew he wanted to join a missionary order. At the direction of his superior, he accepted an appointment to come to Australia.

In the beginning, Fr Suresh said he found the Australian methodology of being a priest the main difference to his experience in India where the priest is called upon to do everything in the celebration of Mass; there is no acolyte or deacon.

The priest works from early morning, late into the night, in both the parish and its schools, rarely with a support team.

After working in a community of 5,000 Catholics in Mumbai, Fr Suresh said he found life less hectic in Australia. His first appointment in the Diocese of Parramatta was to St Andrew's Parish, Marayong. He learnt quickly how to adapt to his new life and now "celebrates" and enjoys the cultural differences.

Currently, Fr Suresh is involved with building up the youth ministry at St Patrick's Cathedral, providing catechesis, and organising social and sporting activities such as rock climbing and Amazing Race, etc.

Fr Suresh has a keen interest in computer technology and in his downtime he is upgrading the Cathedral's website.

His philosophy is that when we are young we can work hard and be involved so that when we retire we can look back and have no regrets about things left undone.

Fr Suresh said his vocation to priesthood was enriching. "For a priest there is nothing more beautiful than celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. This is the gift of priesthood."

By Dan McAloon

"I am a great believer in the strength of prayer. Every day I say the rosary for the people of the Diocese and for the bishop and the Holy Father," said Fr Lou Breslan, speaking from his home unit in the quiet surrounds of Rosary Village at Yennora.

In the retirement village, Fr Lou's daily devotions include celebrating morning Mass with fellow priests, saying the rosary and making the Stations of the Cross, and readings from the Office.

"I can't lead an active life, but I can lead a prayerful life," he said, adding that prayer and recuperation was "the good medicine" he has been taking since ill health forced him to retire as parish priest at St Patrick's, Guilford.

But more than a year since he collapsed and was rushed to hospital with a life-threatening infection in his heart, the 86-year-old priest said he was still adjusting to life in retirement.

"Overall, I'm feeling good at the moment, but I have to be careful how I walk," Fr Lou said, indicating a walking frame nearby.

He said that after 34 years as Guilford's parish priest "letting go was one of the things I've found hardest to do in life. But hardest of all was taking the advice 'do nothing and relax' which, for the love of the people and the love of the bishop, I am willing to do."

But it is not advice easily heeded by this Irish priest who has always been called to an active ministry. Ordained at age 25, he completed his priestly studies at St Patrick's College in Carlow with the intention of going on overseas mission.

A meeting with Cardinal Gilroy convinced him that his future ministry lay in Australia, and in early 1949, arriving in Sydney he worked as a curate at St Mary's Cathedral.

His later parish postings were to Thirroul, Lithgow and Manly before he enlisted as a chaplain in the Royal Australian Navy, a tenure that included active overseas service.

In 1975, he left the Navy and was appointed parish priest at Guildford where, last year, he celebrated his Diamond Jubilee of priesthood.

"My ministry has been one of the most encouraging and satisfying lives any priest could hope for," Fr Lou said. From the Breslan family he is one of four brothers who all became priests.

Friends who have suggested that he return to Ireland to retire have been answered firmly in the negative. "No, no, my commitment to Australia comes first. I made that commitment when I took Holy Orders."

His devotion to the daily rosary comes from his close-knit family. "We were strong in the faith and always prayed together as a family. In the rosary there is the reflection of the all things that are God." In prayer he said he is always aware of the renewal in Christ.

"Christ speaks to us in His own way. We can't perceive the whole of it. We are like a container that can only hold so much before it overflows. So we take in a little bit every day. You can't take in all the fruits of mystery. You can only take in what you can deal with at that moment."

On Sunday 11 October, more than 500 friends and parishioners came to Guilford for a Mass of thanksgiving for Fr Lou. Bishop Manning was the principal celebrant.

At the reception held afterwards, a presentation of Fr Lou's life as a priest was a trip down memory lane for parishioner Clare Harb.

"Father has been such a rock in my life," Clare said. "He has been the role model of the prayerful, caring priest who gave me all the sacraments. He represents the best of the Church in the example he gave to us and the care he has shown."

Another parishioner sharing his admiration of Fr Lou is George Younan, whose five children all received the sacraments, including marriage, from Fr Lou.

George migrated to Sydney from Lebanon in the 1960s and said Fr Lou's devotion was always inspiring to the congregation.

"He would celebrate Mass once or twice a day with the Saturday morning Mass always followed by adoration. I cannot find the words to describe the spirituality we have been blessed with in having Fr Lou. He is an incredible priest. We pray for him as we know he prays for every one of us."

Photo: Alphonsus Fok & Grace Lu.

Priests from the Diocese of Parramatta were joined by priests from the Archdioceses of Sydney and Adelaide, the Dioceses of Broken Bay, Wollongong, Lismore and Wagga Wagga.

St Columba's seminary opened in 1909 and closed in 1977. It re-opened in 1979 as a Catholic high school and today is home to a community of more than 980 students and staff.

School principal Delma Horan and 2010 school captains Martine Lappan and Scott Newton greeted the guests over morning tea.

Bishop Manning was the principal celebrant at the Mass that followed. In his homily, the Bishop said it was good to be back at Springwood where so many of those gathered had begun the formal part of their journey to priesthood.

"Each of us has vivid memories of our first day here; almost like another planet. I remember senior cassocked figures and juniors in lay attire, and a seminary system not to be transgressed, with an ex-Army MP, Jack Shanahan, applying the rule," he said.

"It is great that we gather today to renew friendships, to enjoy each other's company, but, most of all, to thank God for the great gift of a priestly vocation.

"Each one can marvel at the mystery of vocation, for each one knows that it was God who chose him, just as he chose St John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, who is held up as an exemplar.

"Our priestly vocation began at our Baptism: our life of faith was nurtured in our families, and so today, with immense gratitude, we remember our parents, families, and all who helped us on the road to priesthood."

Speakers at the lunch were Monsignor John Walsh, a former student, teacher and the last rector of the seminary, and Fr Bill Wright, a former student at St Columba's and lecturer at St Patrick's Seminary in Manly.

Fr Paul Slyney, Episcopal Vicar for Education in the Diocese of Parramatta, said lifelong friendships had been formed at Springwood.

"The gathering today has been an opportunity to acknowledge the great gift of education and formation that has seen a rebirthing of the old seminary to meet the demands of the new community," he said.

"Its legacy at St Columba's High School has been to enliven and grow the Church, forming young men and women for life. This thriving school has been able to adapt to the changing needs of the Church."

Although not all the priests in attendance were former seminarians at Springwood, Fr Paul said they all shared common stories and experiences of formation.

Taking part in the celebrations were a number of overseas-born priests. "These priests bring the perspective of the Universal Church," Fr Paul said.

"We may come from different cultures, with different histories, backgrounds and languages, but it is the same priesthood. We are all part of one Church."

By Dan McAloon

Fr Gerry Nworie, administrator of Our Lady of the Nativity Parish, Lawson.

This two-way learning is nowhere better illustrated than in sub-Saharan Africa where amid a myriad of peoples, beliefs and languages, Catholicism has found tens of millions of passionate adherents.

In little more than 100 years, the number of Catholics in Africa has risen from 1.9 million to more than 140 million. Within these large demographics there are millions of adult converts. In fact, almost half of the adult baptisms in global Catholicism occur in Africa.

The great challenge of the Church in Africa will be meeting the pastoral and human needs of these rapidly growing congregations through much-needed infrastructure and expertise of every kind.

Half a world away from his native Nigeria, Fr Gerry Ikechukwu Nworie, the administrator of Our Lady of the Nativity Parish at Lawson, said he looks forward to the day when the education and experience he has acquired abroad will make a positive contribution towards this mission.

“My hope and prayer is that democracy will become rooted properly into our society and Nigeria will find lasting peace and prosperity,” Fr Gerry said.

Born in what was then known as Biafra, Fr Gerry’s earliest years were lived in the shadow of the devastating Nigerian-Biafran civil war. But he said the past 10 years had seen the reprieve of a civil government.

“Corruption and violence are also common and at stake are Nigeria’s vast reserves of oil. We are the world’s fifth-largest oil exporter but the benefits to the people are not self-evident."

Fr Gerry, 45, is the eldest son of nine children. His parents, John and Christiana, raised their children in the Catholic faith. From the age of seven, Fr Gerry felt he had a vocation to the priesthood so strong that as a 10-year-old he convinced his father to take him to an interview with the rector in the junior seminary in Ezzamgbo.

“The rector said I was too young and small, and sent me away, but I lived for the day when I would be a seminarian and, ultimately, a priest."

Within his community he found two priestly role models. One was an Irish missionary priest and the other a seminarian, who became the first priest from his village.

“Fr Sean Cullen was a devout and tireless priest. I was thrilled how he was respected and cared for and how he cared for us all as a true father would.”

His other mentor was his fellow villager, Fr Ukoro Theophilus Igwe. “Once I learnt that he was going to be a priest, I simply followed him. For someone who wished to be a priest he gave me very encouraging advice.”

Fr Igwe is the now the rector of Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu. With an enrolment of more than 700 students it is the largest Catholic seminary in the world.

Fr Gerry spent nine years in pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Abakaliki in Eastern Nigeria before being granted leave to travel to the US to do his Masters in Theology and Christian Ministry at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

From there he applied to the Diocese of Parramatta to do pastoral work, hoping he would also find an opportunity for further tertiary studies. Since arriving in the Diocese in late 2005, Fr Gerry has served in five parishes.

“My first impression of Sydney was the kindness of the welcome,” he said. He remembers when Parramatta’s diocesan Vocation Director, Fr Paul Roberts, met him at the airport and took him back to Corpus Christi Parish at Cranebrook. He was surprised that the first person he met “shook my hand and asked sincerely, ‘How are you, mate?’

“I wondered how a person who had never met me could address me as ‘mate’ when he didn’t even know my name!” Fr Gerry said. Since then he has been learning the ways of Australian Catholics, which can differ greatly from the practice of the faith in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a tribally constituted country with about 230 different dialects and languages. Seminarians learn to use the common language of their tribe in carrying out the liturgical ministry.

“This becomes the language of their ministry as priests. Added to that and in keeping with Vatican II, the Mass in Latin is studied in all Nigerian seminaries.

“It is customary in most cathedral churches and seminary chapels for Mass to be celebrated in Latin on the first Sunday of the month.”

There is also the African exuberance of the sung Mass with cantor, choristers and worshippers all raising their voices in praise. “That enthusiasm is something I miss.”

Fr Gerry said that a typical parish in Nigeria was centred around the priest. “He is seen as a father who looks after everything and gives instruction about how everything is to be carried out in the parish. Your phone can ring all day with people asking for your advice in almost all aspect of life.”

His said that in his previous Australian parish at Katoomba many of the parishioners were older families who had moved to the mountains in retirement.

“I was working in what used to be two distinct parishes merged into one, and was also involved more deeply in hospital ministry and ministry to five different nursing and aged care homes.”

Fr Gerry said his personal aspiration was to stay in Australia long enough to complete a Doctorate in Theology. “Further education will enrich my pastoral work back in Nigeria. Whatever my posting when I return to my Diocese in Abakaliki, what really matters to me is the experience I would have accumulated and how this will be put to work at home for God’s people.”