New parish priest at St Aug’s

“Instead of just having an administrator that could be moved on somewhere else we now have our own parish priest and a commitment from him to be our parish priest, which is fantastic.”

Father John Paul was the administrator at St Aug’s for 12 months before being appointed to the position of parish priest by Bishop Shane Mackinlay of the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst.

Father John Paul is also the parish priest of Tatura, and will be responsible for both parishes.

“We’re very very happy that we now have John Paul as our parsh priest,” Ms Brennan said.

“We can plan for the year and do things now that we’ve got a permanent parish priest.”

Fr John Paul comes from Hyderabad in southern India, and first came to Australia on March 8, 2018, when he was appointed as an associate priest at St Brendan’s Church in Shepparton.

His incardination into the Diocese of Sandhurst was February 15, 2019, and in October 2019 Fr John Paul was appointed as a parish priest of Sacred Heart Church Tatura, the dean for Goulburn Deanery, and was appointed as member of the college of the consulters in the Diocese of Sandhurst.

Now Fr John Paul has been appointed as parish priest of Kyabram.

“I never expected I would be in Australia and now in Kyabram. God is great!” he said.

There were many challenges in my life. God has blessed me with many great responsibilities.

“My vision is to bring all people closer to God to be the light of Christ with three beautiful virtues: love, faith and hope.

“Vision always connects to the mission, and mission of our St Augustine community is to be a Christ-centred community influenced by the love of God.“

The new priest says people have been loving and caring towards him in his new appointment to St Aug’s, and is finding strength in his faith while he settles into his role.

“I always trust in Jesus, he has got special purpose and plan in this new appointment as a parish priest. And I feel great and so loved by the St Augustine community. It is a challenge for me and I believe the Holy Spirit will guide me and strengthen me.”

Fr John Paul takes his responsibility as a spiritual leader seriously, and aims to protect and build up the community.

“Through respecting, loving, helping, listening to people and being humble enough to learn about people who need the love of God,” he said.

“Being a spiritual leader is to be a good Christian: love God and love others.”

Fr John Paul was born into a Roman Catholic family, one of four children. From childhood he attended church regularly, and at the age of eight decided he would like to become a priest.

“When I was a boy, every evening before we went to bed I used to read a chapter from the Gospel, my mother used to sing hymns and my father used to pray. We had great times praying together. Both passed away but they are with me always in my heart,” he said.

His cousin was a priest, and was a great inspiration to Fr John Paul, and his parents supported him in his passion.

“My father was a prayerful man, loving and caring, who always prayed for me,” he said.

“He had a vision of mother Mary; he used to speak to mother Mary face to face. Always carrying the Rosary in his hands and ready to pray for everyone. For him Hindu, Muslim and Catholic are same.

“My mother was hard-working and took care of children and family. She was also a midwife and helped many in the village. She attended church regularly and loved singing hymns in the church.”

He joined the seminary for the formation at the age of 15 upon completion of high school. He then completed college and a bachelor degree of arts, philosophy and theology and another formation for 12 years for the priesthood.

“I was ordained as a priest on April 28, 2011, nearly 11 years ago,” Fr John Paul said.

“After that I had a beautiful experience in the Philippines for three years as a visiting priest and missionary.”