Divine Word Missionaries Father Sang Bok Son, popularly known as Fr Bosco, is the new parish priest at St Mark’s Parish, Inala and says he is looking forward to being present with his parishioners and knowing them by name, reports The Catholic Leader.

He was previously in the Diocese of Wollongong as parish priest at Mary Mother of the Church, Macquarie Fields.

*Fr Bosco Son SVD is the new parish priest at St Mark’s Parish in Inala, Brisbane. PHOTO: Catholic Leader.*

Years ago, Fr Bosco followed in his father’s footsteps by serving three years in the Korean military, a duty required by law.

This experience left little room for ambiguity and while he believed most situations weren’t always “black or white” they could be settled with a “yes or no”.

While he still prefers directness, he has grown more flexible over time, realising that bluntness can sometimes be hurtful.

Fr Bosco said the entire parish of St Mark’s was his family and he hoped people would focus on their similarities more than their differences.

As Catholics, we were all one, he said.

“Please look at the similarities that help us to grow as the parish community because we know we are different,” he said.

He was hoping to connect with parishioners of all ages and “be present”.

“I don’t have to make decisions all the time,” he said.

Fr Bosco was interested in spending time listening to his flock, know their names and understand them.

“Fortunately, we are truly blessed having many young altar servers of different ages and cultural backgrounds.”

St Mark’s has more than 40 altar servers, and about four to six serve during any Mass.

Fr Bosco is trialling a daily morning Mass at the parish and said the feedback from parishioners so far had been good.

“Our world is our parish,” he said reflecting on his SVD teachings,” he said.

“And we are not doing SVD mission, but God’s mission.”

He called on his new parishioners by sharing one of his favourite hymns, ‘Come as you are’.

Come as you are, that’s how I want you.

Come as you are, feel quite at home.

Close to my heart, loved and forgiven;

Come as you are, why stand alone?

Often when he looked at the crucifix, he questioned himself, he said.

“Am I right person to follow Jesus?” Fr Bosco said.

“Well, Jesus (it) seems to me, says to me, ‘come as you are’.

“That’s why, come as you are. For God, it doesn’t matter whether you have doctorates, or less education opportunities, you’re clever, ugly, or beautiful.”

Fr Bosco takes over from Fr Boni Buahendri, who has now moved to Sydney as the provincial leader of the Divine Word Missionaries for the Australia Province.

This article by Kymberlee Gomes was published in The Catholic Leader.