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Father Peter Barry (on the right)
says "My life has been dominated by two great interests: ornithology and
travel. I have visited 79 countries in all 5 continents. I have memories of
Sanchez, the former Minister for Culture, in Haiti; Mother Teresa in Calcutta
and Helder Camara in Brazil. Of novice monks in Thailand, tortured men in Albania,
gypsies in Central Albania, men in the marshes of Burma.
Birds fascinate me - over 1500 species seen so far and, I hope, many more to
come. The ultimate prize? The discovery of a new species...perhaps Peter's Parrot
(psittacus polyglotta) or Barry's Babbler.
And the priesthood? I see Jesus resolutely setting
his face towards Jerusalem, no home, no status, no baggage, no safety net.
And the parish? A challenge to keep people hope-filled and faith-filled...marvelling at their sheer goodness and enthusiasm.
And the future? Sometime full of hope, sometimes
not so, but asking God for the grace to live with uncertainty. Life is so wonderful.
Grab it by the armful".
Deacon John McEwan is of uncertain vintage and lives in the village of Cromarty. Before being appointed deacon to St. Ninian's, he was Something in the RAF.
He (and his wife) were professed into the 3rd Order of the Secular Fransiscan Order, and he has served 2 terms as National President for Scotland. Impressive, eh?
He was ordained deacon in 1992, the same year as he was appointed RC chaplain to Inverness Prison. He was appointed as deacon to St. Ninian's in 1995, although he seems to have been here for ever.
His parish responsibilities include Doing Things and Being Around.
Deacon John is married, with various (oh, all right, 3 - two sons and a daughter) children.