by Gordon Nary
Gordon: Please share with us your background in accounting.
Father John: I worked for three companies in Sydney: Email, Coal and Allied and Pioneer Concrete. While I was working for these companies, I had the opportunity to visit rural parts of New South Wales both in Hunter Valley and in Southern Tablelands. It was during that time that I was able to mix with a variety of people from those who worked in board rooms to literally those who worked at the coal face. This gave me a deeper understanding of how my life was not just about numbers and accounts but a greater appreciation of how my life can make a difference for others. It was during this time that I started to notice a deeper calling to explore what brought meaning to my life. There was a desire to ponder how God speaks through patterns present in creation and the lives of people.
Gordon: What drew you to consider a vocation to the priesthood?
I first pondered this during my own conversion experience when I was baptised and confirmed at the age of sixteen. I saw what a profound influence that a life of faith had on my sister, and I sought to explore this for myself. At eighteen I left England to see employment in Australia following the winters of discontent. I discovered that I felt more at home in Australia and especially in the rural areas of New South Wales that reminded me of my early childhood in England. Through talking to others and exploring the possibilities of a vocation to the priesthood I felt initially I could wait for the appropriate time. However, a car accident and the resultant recovery time caused me to pay more attention to the direction of my life. I applied for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn and was accepted as a seminarian by Archbishop Francis Carroll who later ordained my to the Deaconate in 1989 and to the priesthood in 1990.
Gordon: When and where did you serve as a Deacon? Please share with us some details about the parish.
Father John: I served as deacon in Batemans Bay for a period of eight months before returning to the St Patrick’s seminary at Manly. Batemans Bay is a rural parish that links several different coastal communities. It relies heavily on tourism and in more recent years many people have retired to the town to enjoy its natural beauty. The town also relied on the forestry and fishing industries until earlier this century when new environmental laws were introduced to restrict access to parts of the maritime and national parks.
Gordon: When and where did you serve as Assistant Priest and what did you like most about your service?
Father John: I served as an Assistant Priest at the St Gregorg’s parish in Queanbeyan for a period of two years from 1991 to 1993 and later as the Administrator at the St Bede’s Parish in Braidwood for a year from 1993-94. I most enjoyed working with young people during this time in planning gatherings of young people from across the Archdiocese and my regular weekly visitations to people in the Nursing Homes.
Gordon: When did you attend The Australian National University, what degree did you earn, and what is one of your favorite memories when you were there?
Father John: I first commenced a graduate diploma in Demography that later led me into undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy examining the patterns of religious identification and attendance in Australia between 1966 and 1996. What I discovered was a love for researching a topic in depth and examining the different patterns that explained these changes. I enjoyed mixing with many people from countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. I undertook these studies while also serving as Parish Priest of the Canberra Central Parish from 1994 to 2000. This helped me to balance the need for ongoing study while also relishing working with people in heart of Canberra. As this was my first parish as parish priest I benefited from the wisdom and support of many of the parishioners who welcomed me into their lives.
Gordon: When did you serve as Administrator at Sacred Heart Parish Moruya and what are the primary responsibilities as an Administrator?
Father John: This was an interim appointment in completing my studies in 2000 where I was called to provide for the pastoral needs of the parishioners. Moruya is one of the oldest Catholic Communities in the region and has one of the most beautiful Churches along the coastal part of New South Wales. I returned to Canberra where I had the dual role of being the Director of Clergy Life and Ministry and Assistant Priest at St Peter Chanel’s Parish in Yarralumla. This involved me in travelling to rural parts of the Archdiocese while also being involved in the liturgical life of the parish.
Gordon: When did you serve as Administrator St Christopher's Cathedral Canberra Manuka and what did you enjoy most about your work?
Father John: I was the administrator of the Cathedral from 2001 to 2005. This was a very busy time and involved me in many important liturgical events at the Cathedral. The most poignant was the gatherings of people the day after the 9/11 attacks and later after the 2003 Bali Bombings. These two tragic events touched the hearts of many people, and the commemoration services were televised around Australia. They reminded me that in many ways the Cathedral is the living heart of the community that draws people together both at times of great sadness and profound joy.
Gordon: When did you serve as Parish Priest Corpus Christi Parish Canberra? Please share with our readers an overview of the parish.
Father John: At the time of being appointed to the parish it was the five largest in Australia with a population of 58000 people 18000 of whom identified as Catholic. There were three Catholic Primary Schools, One Catholic High School and a vibrant school of religion for those attending state schools. This was my longest appointment as parish priest from 2005 to 2013. I enjoyed my time in this parish where I felt most at home with the people of the Tuggeranong Valley. This helped people to encounter Christ both through the celebration of the sacramental programs that often involved between 500-700 young people each year but also providing retreat opportunities for people to deepen their faith.
Gordon: When did you attend Australian Catholic University, what degree did you earn, what was your favorite course, and why was that course your favorite?
Father John: I also undertook the Master of Arts (Spiritual Direction) from 2001 to 2003 and then later a Doctorate in Practical Ministry from 2008 to 2011. This helped me to provide an opportunity to accompany people in spiritual direction and also assist priests to reflect on their ministry. It helped me to appreciate the diverse nature of people’s spiritual journeys. I also found that I was called more into exploring spiritual direction as a full time ministry.
Gordon: When were you Parish Priest at Bernard's Parish Bateman's Bay? Please share with our readers and overview of life in Bateman's Bay.
Father John: Once again this was likely returning to the place where my ministry began as a deacon. I valued reconnecting with people and enjoying celebrating liturgies in one of the most pristine environments in the world!
Gordon: You currently serve as Spiritual Director Seminary of the Good Shepherd Homebush NSW. What are your primary responsibility and what do you enjoy most about your service?
Father John: I have been in The seminary for a period of seven years from 2017. My primary role is to meet with the seminarians and provide spiritual accompaniment for them on a monthly basis. At the moment we have 36 seminarians in residence and they always impress me with their natural development as young men called to serve as priests. My favourite part of the ministry is leading them in the spiritual exercises over a period of 30 days at the end of their first year.
Gordon: Thank you for a great interview.