By Fr Andrew Fewings PP

Forty years as a priest is a long time and reflecting on the my life and ministry there are many people, events and places I have encountered with joy, trepidation, wonder, humour, uncertainty, disappointment, appreciation and thanksgiving.  

In one sense, I haven’t gone far in life. I am two short suburban blocks from where I grew up as a child and teenager. Now I am a parish priest in the parish where I went to school, and the church where I received the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Ordination to the Diaconate. From my front veranda I can see Sacred Heart cathedral, where my parents were married, and I was baptised and ordained to the priesthood. 

In another sense, I have gone a long way. A quiet child, who became an active seminarian, involved in drama, woodwork, gardening, stage lighting, art shows, sport, travelling, choir work (yes I was second bass in the college choir), liturgy and prayer and occasionally doing a bit of study; and then to priestly ministry in various parishes in the Diocese, including Beechworth, Myrtleford, St Kilian’s, Bendigo, St Mel's Shepparton, Our Lady's Parish Wangaratta, Euroa, Benalla and St Therese's Kennington. There were many opportunities that came my way, by good fortune, hard work and people having trust in me. I became involved in various chaplaincies, church movements, agencies, committees, councils and organisations in the areas of family, education, ecumenism, liturgy, disability, social justice, youth work and more.  

A large part of my priestly ministry was in Catholic Education, where I visited schools and met with teachers and students and came back enriched with many stories and new learnings. I enjoyed that time and now enjoying being a Parish Priest and its wealth of ministry and life.