Parish Leadership Team | St Francis of Assisi Ohariu Parish

About Us

Parish Leadership Team

Monsignor Gerry Burns

Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou!

I was born in Wellington, baptised in St Joseph’s, Mount Victoria, and made my first communion at (now disappeared) St John’s, Ngaio. I was schooled through St Benedict’s, Khandallah, and St. Pat’s town (at its original site by the Basin Reserve). I did my studies towards priesthood in Hawkes Bay and Dunedin and was ordained in 1985.

My parish appointments have been in Lower Hutt, Newtown and South Wellington as well as in the parish for Māori, Te Ngākau Tapu. Very formative in my life was my 8 years as a priest in Peru, South America. From that I do some chaplaincy to Spanish-speakers.

I also have a long-standing interest in action for social justice as an essential dimension of Christian faith. So I have various involvements in these questions through the Archdiocesan Ecology, Justice and Peace commission, Caritas Aotearoa NZ, etc.

For our archbishops over the last 16 years I have had the role of Vicar-General which involves various administration and personnel matters.

Looking forward to discovering the depths of the Christian mysteries with you…

Kia whakapaingia mātou tō tātou Atua a Hēhu Karaiti.

Gerard Burns

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Father Alfred Tong

Kia ora koutou!

One of the greatest things about being your Assistant Priest is to discover how good and beautiful everyone is in the parish - to taste the unique flavour that God has gifted every person.

Well I found myself in the classroom today, doing a little experiment, tasting different flavours of ice cream with the teacher and the students at one of our Catholic Schools. We found that we all enjoyed different flavours - no one of us are alike!

It's the same idea when it comes to being your Assistant Priest. No words can fully describe the variety of encounters that happen on a day-to-day basis, or the special people that I meet.

I've only been ordained since September 2022 for the Archdiocese of Wellington. My first appointment after priestly ordination was in Te Awakairangi Parish in Lower Hutt. Before my time as a priest, I obtained a PhD in Pharmacy and Chemistry from the University of Otago, and worked as a researcher analyzing pharmaceutical residues and pollutants in the environment.

Science has taught me that there is always more to discover about ourselves and our world. And it's why I love finding out what life means through this role. It's amazing to encounter how God touches us in our lives and it's a delight being with you all.

With prayers and blessings, Fr Alfred.

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Mr Joe Green

Joe Greem Bio Photo

My name is Joe Green.

I have been the Lay Pastoral Leader in the Archdiocese of Wellington since February 2016. I currently work here in St Francis of Assisi, Ohariu as part of the Parish Pastoral Team.

In late 2015 I walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. A life changing experience - I resigned from my 32-year career with the NZ Police on my return. My last 16 years in police were as an Inspector in various roles including National Coordinator for Arms Control, managing the vetting service, and in the last three years, search and rescue and emergency management.

Prior to joining Police, I was a primary school teacher at the Catholic school in Island Bay.

I have been an enthusiastic tramper and hunter, including instructing others in outdoor safety. I still get into the outdoors from time to time, especially as several of my nine grandchildren also take an interest in our wild places.

For the 16 years to 2020 I was a trustee of the Kapiti Catholic Youth Trust. I am a qualified Catholic Youth Minister.

I am the Archdiocesan representative on the National Network for the RCIA and support the Archbishop as one of three lay people on the National Dialogue for Christian Unity. I am on the executive of the National Dialogue.

Rosa and I have been married for five years. I have three adult children and nine grandchildren. And, two great grandsons.

I have a B.A. (Hons) in Sociology, a Diploma in Pastoral Leadership, am a trained teacher, and hold qualifications in outdoor safety and adult training and education.

Joe is a registered marriage and civil union celebrant with Internal Affairs