New Zealand Marist Fr. Damian Dempsey, sm arrived in Davao on 17th March 2014. Fr. Damian became an official member of the District of Asia way back in February this year. Prior to his coming to the Philippines this time, he visited the mission in Ranong for a few weeks.
Fr. Damian first came to the Philippines in 1997 as a seminarian doing his Marist Mission Experience (MME). After his ordination, he worked for sometime in New Zealand and volunteered to go to mission to the Philippines in 2007. He was assigned then to go to Ranong in 2008 where he lived and worked in the mission.
At this time, Fr. Damian will be living in the formation community in Dumalag, helping out in formation as well as in the Campus Ministry with Fr. Chris Thadeos Ganzon,sm.
A simple welcome was given to him by some members of the District and formators of the International English Speaking Novitiate.
Fr. Damian’s arrival coincides with the feast of St. Patrick, a great missionary of the Church as well as the patron of Ireland. This great saint reminds of our call to be missionaries of the Gospel to all nations, sharing Jesus with love and joy.
Welcome back Fr. Damian to the District of Asia. We wish you a joyful, blessed and fruitful Marist life in Asia!
Society of Mary 