The Ipswich Catholic community is unique, according to Franciscan priest Father Stephen Bliss, who, having recently been appointed as the Provincial Minister for the Franciscan Friars in Australia, says he will miss the people the most, The Catholic Leader reports.

He joined the parish in 2016 and was appointed as parish priest in 2018.

Fr Bliss said it “was a shock” to learn of his new appointment.

*Fr Stephen Bliss OFM will miss the people at Ipswich Parish as he takes up his new ministry in provincial leadership. PHOTO: Catholic Leader.*

“It’s overwhelming in many ways to lead a group of men,” he said.

“It’s disappointing to leave Ipswich, I’ve loved being here. The people have been good and kind.”

Throughout his life he had been surrounded by a supportive community so wanting to help others came naturally.

“I went to Clairvaux College at Upper Mount Gravatt before it was Clairvaux Mackillop and I always wanted to help people,” he said.

“I had good mentors and role models in my life, and not only in my family but also teachers and sisters of St Joseph and the Christian brothers.”

He remembered when the Franciscans would visit the school.

“I was always impressed that the friars would speak to the students and call them by their first name,” he said.

“I was so impressed by the respect that the friars showed the students, whether it be on the football field or giving us retreats.”

In Year 11, he grew more interested in the life of St Francis after reading a book about him – by chance – because it was the only one left at the library, and he had a book review assignment pending.

Gospel living

“What impressed me about St Francis was his simplicity. He was all about living the Gospel and doing that in a simple way,” he said.

The book went on to say that could be done by showing respect, care and hospitality towards people.

“I think as a Church we tend to, and we have, complicated Gospel living,” he said.

“We need to get back to the simplicity of what the Gospel is calling us to – and that’s love, peace and joy.”

St Francis modelled those values, he said.

“And in my leadership, if I can encourage the brothers to be living practical lives and understanding real life situations of their parishioners, then we’re doing our job,” he said.

He was moving from a pastoral ministry now to administration, which was a big shift.

He said the Franciscans had a place in Australia, “and our whole charism is about being of service to the wider church”.

“My ministry at Ipswich has certainly taught me that there’s something about being available in a place for a shorter time and bringing the charism to life in that place and then moving on to something else,” he said.

As a religious order and as provincial, he said he would continue to strengthen communications with the local bishops to best serve the local church.

In 2011, Fr Bliss was presented with the award for Outstanding Service to Franciscans International.

Reflection and prayer

Above all, prayer was crucial, he said.

“St Francis saw that every moment, every day is a prayer if we’re attuned to God,” he said.

Fr Bliss said every night when he prayed he always lit a candle, which served as an aid to realise the closeness of God.

“Prayer is absolutely crucial, and it’s prayer from the heart,” he said.

One of his mentors who encouraged him to reflect and pray always.

“Everything we do and every part of the day is an opportunity to get closer to God,” Fr Bliss said.

“I think the older I get, the more I see that.

“If I can encourage the friars in my leadership to realise that they are worthy men and to thank them for what they’re doing, that’s an opportunity for us all to give praise to God.”

He asked people to pray for the friars so that they could continue to be faithful to the simplicity of St Francis.

While the Franciscan provincial office has traditionally been in Sydney, Fr Bliss, who describes himself as “a very keen Queenslander” and supporter of the Maroons, will work out of Brisbane in the near future.

This article by Kymberlee Gomes was published in The Catholic Leader, the publication of the Archdiocese of Brisbane.