It’s been a period of fond farewells and new beginnings for Fr Sunil Nagothu SVD, as he hands over the leadership of St Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Marsden, Queensland and prepares to take up a new ministry at the Janssen Spirituality Centre in Victoria.
Fr Sunil has been Parish Priest at St Maximilian Kolbe for seven years and was farewelled by his parishioners in a heart-felt celebration earlier this month.
“I didn’t know what they were planning,” he says. “I don’t normally accept such big celebrations, but it was a surprise and the whole parish rallied around and it was really good.”
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge could not be present, but sent a video message which was played at the farewell. Local MP Jim Chalmers and members of the council attended to wish Fr Sunil well for the future and thank him for his contribution to the local community.
In his homily at the farewell Mass, Fr Sunil thanked the parishioners for their love and care for him over the years.
“I leave this ministry of St Max’s with a heart so full of gratitude, with the deepest appreciation, with a completeness of thankfulness and the sincerest of love for each and every one of you,” he said.
“Our journey has been one of generous collaboration, as together we built a temple truly worthy of the Lord.”
Fr Sunil said he had mixed feelings as he gathered with the people to celebrate the Eucharist with them for the last time.
“Religious life brings to each individual the greatest of joys and the deepest of sorrows. The joys of a new beginning and the sorrows of final farewells,” he said.
“While some Religious remain for long periods, normally that is the exception. I have been privileged to have been our Parish Priest for more than seven years.
“In that time, you have totally supported me, completely overwhelmed me with your warm generosity, your readiness to roll up your sleeves and dirty your hands, your ever-welcoming hearts, that not only have challenged me, but have been a constant reminder of what it means to be a shepherd to all.
“Perhaps unbeknown to yourselves, you have been for me a teacher. You have truly taught me what it really means to be your parish priest. And I cannot say thanks enough.”
Fr Sunil wished the incoming Parish Priest of St Maximilian’s, Fr Mikhael Loke SVD, every blessing.
After taking a break, Fr Sunil will take up his new ministry as Executive Director of the Janssen Spirituality Centre in Boronia, Victoria, in mid-May.
Opened in January 2008, the JSC, a collaboration between the Divine Word Missionaries and the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS), was dedicated to mutual understanding and enrichment, respect and collaboration, among followers of various cultures and faith traditions. Over time, the Centre’s focus widened to include such activities as providing accommodation and care for asylum seekers in 2012-13. However, in recent years, the SVD and SSpS resolved to refocus on the original vision for the Centre as a place for inter-religious and cross-cultural relations.
The JSC team includes Fr Thien Nguyen SVD, who will oversee interfaith dialogue at the Centre, Fr Phuong Vu SVD who will oversee Catholic Spirituality and Fr Gilbert Carlo who will continue his ministry of providing Christian yoga and spirituality. The Holy Spirit Sisters are also a part of the JSC team.
“I’m going in with no expectations of my own, but an open heart,” Fr Sunil said.
“The Centre has great potential in bringing to life our SVD charism of interfaith dialogue as well as Christian spirituality.
“The question is, how do we understand the vision and give energy to it?
“But certainly, this kind of place is something we are all in need of at this time, with our world and its challenges and various religious conflicts.
“So, I’m looking forward to our team at the JSC working together and bringing all of our various gifts together so that we can offer something really good to the local Church and our country.”