For as long as he can remember, Fr John Goulding wanted to be a priest.
The desire to serve others was there in him even before he was sent to complete his schooling with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart at Douglas Park at age 13.
But it was from there Fr John embarked on a journey that ultimately led him to the priesthood – a vocation that lasted more than 45 years of selfless service shepherding God’s people in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia.
However, after retiring recently, his health suddenly deteriorated. This transition wasn’t easy, given he was used to supporting the people in his parishes. Now he had to rely on the team from the Diocese’s Clergy Support Foundation, whose care for our clergy is made possible by the generosity of our faith community.
“I’ve always believed that priests are not ordained for themselves, but for other people,” Fr John said.
“Wherever I went, I loved the people. And in return, they loved me…It’s this mutual love that brings the community together.”
Retired priest Fr John Goulding (right) speaking with young parishioner Jason Irawan. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Fr John’s journey to the priesthood began with a stint teaching in government schools, before he decided to repay the kindness shown to him by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart by volunteering in one of their schools in Papua New Guinea.
“I taught there for six years and loved teaching as a lay missionary,” he said.
It was while in PNG that a brother missionary asked Fr John to join him in studying for the priesthood in Sydney.
“I thought, ‘Well perhaps that was God inviting me. He speaks to us through other people’,” Fr John said.
So, in 1975, he entered St Paul’s Seminary in Kensington. Three years later, he was ordained and returned to PNG where he ministered in the Archdiocese of Rabaul, on the island of New Britain, for almost 20 years.
But a bout of malaria forced Fr John back to Sydney for treatment in 1994 and on the advice of doctors, he did not return to PNG. Instead, the then-Bishop of Parramatta, the late Bede Heather, welcomed him into the Diocese, where he served as Assistant Priest at St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park, and St Matthew’s Parish, Windsor. He also spent 11 years as Chaplain at Cardinal Gilroy Village in Merrylands.
After turning 80 in December, Fr John decided to retire. But since then, a decline in his health has meant this period of transition away from the priesthood has been sudden and difficult.
Retired priest Fr John Goulding (left) speaking with fellow retired priest Monsignor John Boyle. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
“The last few months have been very hard,” he said.
“I’ve been a priest for 45 years. During those years, I had constant contact with people I lived with and supported. I shared their lives; I ministered to them. Now that’s all come to an end. My life has changed totally.”
One thing that has kept Fr John going is the love and support of the Clergy Support Foundation’s Health and Wellbeing Team of Dr Mark Buhagiar, Ellen Small and Peter Noone, whose ministry is made possible through our faith community’s support.
In fact, they look after the health and welfare of all clergy in the Diocese, including 24 priests aged between 70 and 91.
Fr John said he could not thank them enough for the care they have given him since he moved into James Dixon House, where he lives independently with other priests.
“If I needed help, they were there. They have taken me to all my medical appointments. They have taken care of my medications. They have taken me to hospital. In truth, I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
Fr John Goulding (left) speaking Clergy Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Peter Noone. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Peter Noone, one of the Clergy Health and Wellbeing Coordinators, said retired priests had greater needs than other clergy and their health could deteriorate dramatically in their later years.
With the rising cost of living, it is more important than ever to support the work of this team, through the Clergy Support Foundation’s Father’s Day Appeal, so that retired priests can live in dignity and comfort.
“These priests have given their whole lives in service of others, and it’s a meaningful way to repay them for their lifetime of sacrifice and service,” Peter said.
“Particularly when they’re coming into a time when their needs will be greater, it’s a great opportunity to say thank you.”
Fr John said he was very grateful to those who support retired priests through this appeal.
“To all of you who support our Health and Wellbeing Team, I thank you from the heart.”
Please support the Bishop’s Father’s Day Appeal by calling (02) 8838 3482, or visit parracatholic.org/fathersdayappeal
Your generosity will help support our ageing priests’ health and wellbeing during retirement.
