New Catholic priest welcomed to St Francis Xavier

St Francis Xavier's Church Hall today welcomed the arrival of our new priest Fr Warwick Tonkin. We as a parish look forward to getting to know Fr Warwick and welcome him warmly to our village.

Fr Warwick will be with the Hall parish for six years and he has provided us with his background.

"I was born in Sydney in 1955, the son of John and Marie Tonkin. After being educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Marist Brothers I graduated from the University of Sydney in 1977. From 1978 to 1980 I taught at the then Marian College Goulburn. This was my entry into our Archdiocese. In 1981 I entered St. Patrick's College, Manly, to study for the priesthood. I began at Manly on the same day as Fr. Paul.

Ordained to the priesthood on 21st November,1985, I have been an assistant priest at Goulburn, St Christopher's Cathedral and Young. From 1991 to the end of 1992 I undertook post-graduate studies in theology and religious education in Boston, USA. On returning to Australia I worked full- time in Adult Faith Education before being appointed parish priest of Cootamundra in mid 1994.

In early 1996 I suffered a heart attack. So in January 1998 I was appointed administrator of Waramanga, and subsequently in August, 2000, I became parish priest of Young. Mid 2005 saw me return to the educational ministry, particularly working with parishes and with the formation of men for the permanent diaconate. I have also been teaching theology part-time to education students at ACU.

As I arrive here at St. Monica's I also hold the following archdiocesan posts: archdiocesan censor, director of deacons, master of ceremonies, part- time lecturer in theology at ACU.

As a diocesan priest I gain my spiritual energy from the community with which I celebrate the Eucharist. I look forward to our relationship growing over the next six years. Fr Warwick Tonkin. PP

[thanks to Trudy Mansfield for providing this news]

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