When and where were you born?
28th January 1941
Memories of your childhood/family/upbringing/schooling?
Happy ones in New Norcia with life centring around family, school and the community of the Monastic town. There was much outdoor life: collecting firewood in the bush, building cubbies, rabbit trapping, gardening etc.
When/why did you decide to enter the seminary?
I entered at the early age of 13. It was Year 9 of high school. At the time I had a simple idea that I wanted to celebrate Mass for God’s people and be for them the Minister of Christ and his gifts particularly in the Sacraments.
Memories of seminary life?
Times were tough with many rules but also very happy. There was study, prayer, work and lots of sport with a good rounded education in Secondary as well as Philosophy and Theology. The Seminary in Italy where I did my theology studies was more human. Here we were trusted more and trained to be responsible knowing that as priests at the age of 24 we would be managing our own lives without the support of the routine of seminary life.
When and where were you ordained?
In Genoa, Italy, by Cardinal Joseph Siri on 19th of June 1964.
What areas of ministry have you worked in since ordination?
Mainly parish including hospital and school Chaplaincies. I ministered in the city as well as in country parishes. For seven years I was the Director of the Ministry to Priest Programme and the Director of Vocations in the Archdiocese of Perth.
What have been the highlights of your ministry to date?
Apart from celebrating the Eucharist for God’s people, highlights have been when people are being open and responsive to the Eucharist and sacraments, especially in key stages of life. It’s a joy to know that one is an instrument of Christ and his gifts. Other highlights have been when I have shared the joys and sorrows of peoples lives. These are times when one becomes very close to them and again it is a joy to be an instrument in some way of the goodness and love of God in ordinary ways.
As a Bishop a highlight has been ordaining a few priests for our Diocese. I also enjoy celebrating Confirmation and sharing the Holy Spirit with young people as well as growing closer to the Spirit myself.
What challenges have you faced in your ministry and how have these been overcome (if at all)?
A personal challenge has been having burn-out at the age of 40. Gratefully I came through it with the help of some very good people and have learnt ways of keeping a general balance in life.
Another challenge would be the fall away of people practicing their faith. The grace of God here for me has been maintaining hope and continuing to minister to people with hope.
What is the best advice you would pass on to future seminarians?
Remember that Jesus first loved us, and so grow in love for him through the good people around you and through prayer, word and sacrament. It is only with Christ who lives within us that we will be able to love and minister to God’s people.
What are your personal hopes for the future?
That for whatever years I may have left I would desire to come to know a little more how good, close and powerful our God is and be able to share that more deeply with people.
What are your personal hopes for the future of the Church in Australia?
That people will come to know and love Christ more both personally and in the Church and so be more the LIGHT of the world and SALT of the earth.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
It is a toss up between Mum or Dad.
What was the last book you read or movie you saw?
Film: “Doubt”, and book: “Paul – A Critical Life” by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor
Your favourite travel destination?
The mountains of my family in Italy.
What hobbies/pastimes are important to you?
Music, some reading, walking, beach swimming and spending time with family and friends.
A bit of fun – what would you like to the inscription on your headstone to read?
“Let him in Lord, following all those wonderful parents he used to tell would go straight through the pearly gates when their time came!”
