mmg.com.au

Father Peter Taylor is the newest face at St Joseph’s Parish.

Following the transfer of Andrew Fewings earlier this year to Kennington, Father Peter saw the opportunity to come to the Rose City as a promotion.

‘‘I was at Myrtleford and Bright before moving here, and being a bigger parish it was a step up in my ministry,’’ he said.

Three months into his minimum six-year appointment, Father Peter said the community had welcomed him with open arms.

‘‘It has been great, it’s a great environment, a new environment and Benalla has been very accepting,’’ Father Peter said.

The decision to leave the alpine region after seven years was not one taken lightly.

‘‘I just felt it was time for me to try something new, a new opportunity, a fresh start and the chance to feel a bit more open to people and relationships with them,’’ he said.

Father Peter originally hails from Bendigo but has travelled extensively throughout Victoria during his 24-year ministry with the church.

‘‘I have been in Cobram, Kerang, Cohuna, Myrtleford and Bright and now Benalla.’’

Father Peter said he had spent the past 12 weeks making home visits to make himself known, and was looking forward to meeting more parishioners.

‘‘The Catholic Church is going through a challenging period in exploring its own identity, but I am a great believer in positivity and accepting people for who they are,’’ he said.

Father Peter said he loved to live life to the fullest.

‘‘I want to be known for the person I am, and not the person reflected by my role; I am passionate about life and getting involved in the town itself,’’ Father Peter said.

And as for his football team?

‘‘Passionate about the Hawks,’’ he said.

But give it time and we might just have a Benalla Saints convert.