Year in Review 2020 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 21 Jubilarians CLERGY LIFE & MINISTRY Fr Andrew Fewings “How can I express feelings of gratitude, hope and wonder in printed words? Being welcomed into the homes and lives of people often at the most significant times of their lives; the celebration of sacraments and pastoral ministry to the sick and bereaved are responsibilities that bring great joy and intensity of feelings. These days less people are attending Mass, but I’ve noticed that those who do attend are more faithful and more willing to volunteer and contribute to the church and Parish. I have found that adult faith formation and faith and life moments have contributed much to peoples’ experience of faith. As a priest I am caught up in this renewal and continual dialogue with others and find it very enriching. The profound off-centre questions of school children enrich, challenge and delight.” Fr Mike Pullar Fr Mike Pullar says his path to the priesthood was one familiar to many priests. Yet his fifty years as a priest has been every bit ‘the road less travelled’ − full of vibrant people, dramatic locations and adventure. Fr Pullar has celebrated Mass in the South Pole and the Middle East. He has lived in a hut amongst migrant workers of the Waitaki Hydro Power Station and has served as parish priest in some of New Zealand’s most rugged and remote mountain districts. Befriended by mountaineers, he became a mountaineer himself and spent many years as chaplain to the New Zealand Airforce and, later, the Australian Airforce. Fr Pullar says the priesthood is not an easy ride if you need a lot of affirmation, but that he would do it all again by the Grace of God, the blessing of his family and patience from both military and parish communities – and the Bishop! Fr Rob Galea “I could never have imagined living the life I am now. An ordained priest for ten years and living across the globe from where I was born and raised, and now serving a global ministry in the regional Diocese of Sandhurst. I could not have ever imagined being this happy and fulfilled. I love being a priest and consider it the greatest honour. The last ten years have been full of blessings and struggles; all of which have been opportunities to love and trust the Lord Jesus more deeply. Please pray for me and for your priests as we continue to seek to serve Christ faithfully.” 50 40 40 10 5 Fr Novelito Lim “The first five years of priesthood are crucial to one’s journey as a priest,” said Bishop Dennis Villarojo when he ordained me five years ago in the Diocese of Malolos in the Philippines. I think those words ring true. The first five years of priesthood have been the crucial years of my vocation. They have moulded me to the priest that I am today; not perfect, but trying to do the best that I can for my parish communities. Priesthood, like any other calling in life has its ups and downs; and every day is a learning experience”. Fr Paul Purcell Fr Paul says his calling to vocation was a gradual thing that built and built within him. A qualified boilermaker, he was a Dominican monk for almost three decades before he was ordained as a priest. He was awarded an MBE for his service to the people of the Solomon Islands, where for 25 years, he was the Captain of a missionary ship which he rebuilt himself. Fr Paul joined the Diocese of Sandhurst in 2001and at the age of 95 still celebrates weekday Mass at St Kilian’s. “What people don’t realise is that I’ve never actually retired,” he said.
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