The rural atmosphere and a warm welcome from the local community has ensured that Fr Francois Andrianihantana SVD is feeling right at home in his first missionary assignment in Emerald, Queensland.

Fr Francois, who was born and raised in Madagascar, was ordained to the priesthood in Melbourne on November 27 and arrived in Emerald Parish in January this year.

“Fathers Truc and Yon, together with the parishioners of Emerald, welcomed me warmly and oriented me straight away into the life and ministry of the parish,” he says.

Emerald Parish, which is part of the Rockhampton Diocese, consists of eight churches located in different towns, including Emerald, Springsure, Blackwater, Anakie, Dingo, Duaringa, Woorabinda and Rolleston.

The distances between churches in the parish means that Fr Truc and Fr Francois do a lot of driving.

“Fr Truc and I must drive separately in order to say Mass and visit the parishioners in the scattered churches of the parish,” he says,

“We must drive a fair distance between churches. But, for me, driving is not a problem at all. It gives me a joyful experience as I enjoy glancing at the beautiful view of the countryside along the country road.”

Fr Francois says he has become entranced by the beauty of the local area.

“I describe Emerald as one of the most beautiful, peaceful and tranquil towns in the central highlands,” he says.

“It is surrounded by the best of Queensland’s countryside, cattle farming, and heritage-listed sites. I’ve already visited some of the nearby sites and the sapphire gem-fields, where I experienced the daily life and activities of some parishioners who live on different properties. It gives me joy to visit them, experience their daily activities with them, to see their thousands of cattle grazing in their farmland and to experience how to feed the calves and muster the livestock.”

In fact, Fr Francois is no stranger to country life, as it is similar to his hometown in Madagascar.

“People are open, friendly, welcoming and sympathetic towards one another,” he says. “We share each other’s joys and sorrows.

“On top of this, Fr Truc and I are having a healthy community life. We work collaboratively well together and with the lay leaders who help us run the vast parish. In our spare time, we grow different kinds of vegetables in our backyard and so we eat healthy food and fresh vegetables every day.

“To sum up, I feel at home living and working in Emerald.”

Fr Francois says his hope for his first missionary assignment is to “keep learning in order to grow, live and love like Christ”.

“God, who is forever pouring out God’s whole being to the world, wants me to flourish. In doing God’s mission and serving God’s people, God wants me to be filled with life, joy and love and to be growing in godliness,” he says.

“So, I say to God: Here I am Lord, make a channel of your peace, inspire me to inspire your people. Guide me and give me the grace of wisdom, so that I will become a good shepherd as you want me to be.”

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: Fr Francois with the Aboriginal community at Woorabinda, following a baptism.

MIDDLE LEFT: Caring for some abandoned calves.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Fr Francois at the local school, meeting some of the Emerald parish's youth.