On 1 June, Fr Jack Elkazzi will step into the role of Administrator at St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood, almost two and a half years after he was ordained a priest. His is one of a dozen new clerical appointments made by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv in the Diocese over the past several months.
These appointments include three new parish priests, two administrators and seven assistant priests. They are:
- Fr Andrew Bass, Parish Priest of Rooty Hill Parish from 16 June
- Fr Abraham Kunnatholy CMI, Parish Priest of Cranebrook Parish from 1 May
- Fr Shinto Francis, Parish Priest of Luddenham-Warragamba Parish from 1 May
- Fr Galbert Albino, Administrator of Granville Parish from 16 June
- Fr Jack Elkazzi, Administrator of Springwood Parish from 1 June
- Fr Adam Carlow as Assistant Priest of Richmond Parish from 1 May
- Fr Clement Gnanapragasam OSB as Assistant Priest of Kenthurst Parish from 1 May
- Fr Jessie Balorio as Assistant Priest of the Upper Blue Mountains Parish from 1 May
- Fr Joseph (Xua) Nguyen as Assistant Priest of Granville Parish (and continuing as chaplain to the Vietnamese community) from 16 June
- Fr Jobi Payyappilly MS as Assistant Priest of Winston Hills Parish from 1 May
- Fr Jonathan Germinanda MSP as Assistant Priest of Greystanes Parish from 9 June
- Fr Stephen Onyekwere as Assistant Priest of Blacktown Parish from 12 April.
Some of these clergy have had similar roles before at other parishes, while a few, such as Fr Jack and Fr Shinto Francis, are stepping into positions for the first time.
Fr Shinto Francis with Bishop Vincent Long and members of his family at his ordination in 2017 at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Fr Shinto became a Parish Priest for the first time on 1 May at Luddenham-Warragamba Parish, where he had been an administrator for several months in 2023.
“I am excited to be appointed to the Luddenham-Warragamba Parish,” he said. “The community here has been very welcoming. I am in the process of meeting the parishioners and learning more about the parish.”
Fr Jack’s appointment comes after the current Administrator of the Springwood Parish, Fr Chris del Rosario, announced that he was leaving to undertake further study in Rome for the next several years, starting in July.
Fr Jack said while he was a little daunted to be taking on the responsibility of a parish, he was very thankful to God and Bishop Vincent for the opportunity to take this next step in his priestly journey.
“I’m not underestimating the responsibility that’s been put on me, but at the same time I see it as a great opportunity to serve God and the people of God at Springwood as an administrator,” he said. “For that, I’m very thankful.
“There will be challenges, but I’m willing to learn and grow and take this experience and move forward with it.”
Fr Jack Elkazzi at the parish youth group’s end of year celebration at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Image: Supplied
Fr Jack began his path to the priesthood as a deacon at St Bernadette’s Parish, in Castle Hill, under Parish Priest and Vicar General Fr Fernando Montano, and after his ordination moved to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, at Greystanes, under Fr Paul Roberts.
He believes the experience at both parishes under the guidance of both parish priests has equipped him well for taking on his own parish. But he also feels confident knowing that he can go to both priests, as well as others, for advice if he needs it.
“I feel like I have the support of the Diocese, so when it comes to making some decisions, I’ll just do my best whatever situation arises, and then if I need it, I’ll seek counsel from people who have been parish priests and administrators before me.
“Fr Chris put a lot of hard work into the parish at Springwood. So I will go there, get to know the people of God and just be there for them, giving the sacraments of the church and, I hope, be the same shepherd that Fr Chris was to them.”
‘It’s all our Lord’s work’
Fr Chris said during his 20 months at Springwood Parish “God gave us so much”. Mass attendance has gone up four-fold, the sacramental program is growing strongly and new parishioners have “embraced the devotions and love for our Lord”.
Fr Chris del Rosario is finishing up as Administrator of Springwood Parish to undertake further study in Rome. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“It’s not my work, it’s all our Lord’s work, and all His grace of sending people here,” Fr Chris said.
“We had a massive RCIA group this year at 13. For a little parish that’s phenomenal. So we were very, very blessed.”
In Rome, Fr Chris will be studying for an ecclesial masters degree in liturgy, called a Licence in Liturgy, at the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm, about a 40-minute walk from the Vatican and Fr Chris’s “favourite church in the world” St Peter’s.
It’s a three-year degree and is taught entirely in Italian, which Fr Chris has been learning for the past six months, and will continue learning after he arrives in Rome.
He said liturgy had been a passion of his since he was in the seminary and was keen to study it further.
“I found it really interesting, the reasons why we do certain things, the history behind it, and how the practices have developed,” he said.
“I’m heading there to further my knowledge so I can better serve the Diocese.”
