Former parish priest Father Paul Gooley left the Macleay Valley Catholic parish in March of this year and Father James Foster, who was his assistant priest at the time, has now become the parish priest.
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After serving as assistant priest in Lismore, Port Macquarie and Meclean for the last six and a half years, this is the first time Father James has been in the role of parish priest.
Having grown up in Sydney, Father James often visited his grandparents in Port Macquarie and knew that he wanted to work in the area of the Lismore diocese when he became a priest.
“It’s a wonderful community with great people and great history,” Father James said.
Father James said being among the people of the community is one of the most rewarding aspects of being the parish priest.
“I love being out in the community and meeting and talking to people,” Father James said.
“There is also a really great relationship between us and the other Christian communities in the area.”
Bishop Gregory of the Lismore Diocese will visit the Macleay Valley on July 1 to officially install Father James as the Macleay Valley Catholic Parish Priest.
