Listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit
St Nicholas of Myra Penrith Parish Priest Fr Chris De Souza was recently interviewed by Alex Pace, following his appointment as the National Spiritual Advisor for Couples for Christ Australia.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Colombo Sri Lanka in 1958 and spent the first 10 years of my life there in a relatively privileged and happy childhood. In March of 1969 my parents decided to bring us all to Australia to live and we settled in the western suburbs of Sydney, namely Fairfield. I went to School at Patrician brothers College Fairfield and completed my H.S.C. in 1976. I entered the seminary at St. Columba’s College Springwood in 1977 and then transferred to St. Patrick’s College Manly in 1978. I was ordained a Deacon in December 1982 and a priest on 20th August 1983.
Who were some of the faith models in your childhood and why?
My childhood faith models were my parents. They always had what I now call a practical Christianity which was that they just did not talk about God (actually they rarely did) but they would always helped people in need where ever they found them. They would pray with us when we were children and later when we were adults (my sisters and I) would often hear them praying together in bed before they went to sleep at night. Faith was not just a part of their lives but it was who they were. God was as real to them as we, their children were.
How old were you when you felt you had a calling to the priesthood?
Looking back on it now I would say that I had a sense that priesthood was something I was seriously considering as early as my 15th year. However I did not take the matter with the seriousness that it deserved until I was 20 and Yes I was already in the Seminary. In those days as long as you passed your exams and turned up for prayers no one ever questioned you. I started questioning myself at 20 and made that act of faith to follow Christ as a Priest in that year.
What are some of your responsibilities in the Diocese of Parramatta?
As of the 8th March 2011 the Bishop has appointed me his Episcopal Vicar of Education and Formation. I am also the Vice rector of our Seminary (Holy Spirit Seminary at Saint Mary’s). I am a Trustee and member of the College of Consultors of the Diocese. I am member of the Council of Priests. I am the Director of Deacons. I also sit on a number of Boards of director for various ministries and organizations in the Diocese. I am also the parish priest of Penrith.
What do you enjoy most in the Catholic priesthood?
Helping people find out that God does truly love them for who they are. I feel I can best do this in the sacrament of reconciliation. I feel closest to the Lord in this sacrament.
How long have you been associated with Couples for Christ?
Not very long. I came to Penrith as parish priest in January 2003 and it was here that I first came into contact with CFCA. I was asked and I did some presentations on different aspects of our faith for the local group at Penrith.
What is a spiritual advisor to a church movement?
As I see it, it is to be a sounding board for the leadership and offers spiritual advice when it is needed. To do my best to help the group to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking through and to its membership.
What do you think are some of the strengths of CFCA?
That it is family based and Christ centered. It tries to respond to the real challenge of being a Christian Catholic in the modern world.
What are some of the challenges you currently see facing CFCA?
The most obvious one is that it has to become open and welcoming of all nationalities. To become part of the parish.
What do you expect from us?
Understanding; as I try to do my best in serving you. Help; when I make mistakes and forgiveness when I let you down. Also I have a terrible problem with remembering names.
Favourite food?
I like most foods. I am not too keen on the insides of things (i.e. livers and kidneys etc.). However at the moment I am trying very hard to lose some weight. I have lost 12 kilos but need to lose another 24. So I am watching my diet.
Any hobbies?
I like to watch DVD’s and listen to music in my spare time. I like all kinds of music. In my holidays I love to go to art galleries especially modern art.
Read Alex Pace's original article at the Couples for Christ Australia Site
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