It’s almost like it was meant to be: Father Joseph at St. Joseph’s Church in Chemainus.
Father Joseph Thomas, 48, took over Aug. 12 as the new parish priest at St. Joseph’s and also at St. Mary’s Church in Ladysmith.
“This is actually one parish with two churches,” he explained.
It’s been immediately apparent to parishioners that he’s full of enthusiasm to be part of his new communities.
“Very, very uplifting, beautiful,” described Thomas of his new surroundings. “I’m getting to know these two beautiful communities.”
He drove all the way across Canada from Nova Scotia in order to start serving here, a long haul, obviously, but a refreshing change for him.
Thomas is technically here on a leave of absence from his diocese in Nova Scotia, but he doesn’t discount the possibility of staying longer than intended.
“You never know,” he smiled.
Thomas was born in India and came to Canada in 2002. He studied at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ont., one of the colleges under Western University, and became a priest in 2008.
Through its affiliation with King’s University College at Western, St. Peter’s offers undergraduate degrees in philosophy for candidates to the ministerial priesthood who are preparing for the study of theology.
Thomas always felt his path in life would gravitate toward religion and that was reinforced while in Germany from 1996-1999.
“That was the turning point,” he indicated. “That’s when I made up my mind to become a priest.
“I think the good Lord is calling you to do something good for the community and good for the church.”
Thomas is from the southern part of India and another brother serves as a priest in the northeastern area of India. Thomas’ other brother is a lab technician in India.
Over the course of his 15 years as a priest, he’s been at different parishes in Nova Scotia before making the long journey to B.C. He’d only been to the province once previously in the Okanagan.
So how did this reassignment occur on the other side of the country from the Maritimes? Thomas said it was through Zoom with Bishop Gary Gordon from the Victoria Diocese.
“We started a conversation and he basically invited me to check this out,” Thomas said.
Father Mel Bayron left for Campbell River Aug. 1 that created the opening in Chemainus/Ladysmith.
Thomas has a busy weekly schedule between the two parishes, with Sunday mass in Ladysmith at 9 a.m. and in Chemainus at 10:45. There’s also Saturday mass in Ladysmith at 5 p.m. plus weekday services at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as in Chemainus at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. He gets Mondays as a rare day off to catch up on other things and enjoy the communities.
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Contrary to some opinions with the aging population, Thomas sees more young families coming into the church to boost attendance.
“It’s actually expanding,” he said. “I would say it’s not dying, it’s flourishing.
“Ladysmith is a bigger community and the congregation is a little bit bigger. We are gifted with these two communities. The people are very active.”
Getting to know his community also involves first-hand contact with the people. “I’ve been doing a lot of home visiting,” Thomas added.
As for his surroundings, he’s liking the transition from Nova Scotia’s reputation as Canada’s ocean playground that’s been seeing some upheaval lately.
“I’m kind of enjoying these calm waters here, too, unlike Nova Scotia’s seas that are a bit rougher.”
Thomas takes his role as a priest very seriously in making a difference in guiding the lives of others.
“My faith is in Jesus Christ, he has never let me down,” he said. “People trust us with their lives. We are called experts in humanity.
“Literally, we become part of peoples’ lives – their joys and their sorrows.”
Thomas said it’s more than a job; it’s a calling.
“The Good Shepherd knows his sheep. I wanted to get to know where and what my people are – visiting with them and having conversations. I want them to feel welcome and enjoy their presence here.”
The understanding of the church has also evolved, Thomas pointed out, with social media providing a different means of outreach, for example.
“You can always find ways to reach out to people. You are not subscribed to one way. My understanding of the church when they come here for worship and when they leave from this place, I want them to feel ‘I’m glad I’m here.’ I try my best to provide my experience.”