Our Pastoral Team
Fr. Stephen Bliss OFM
(Parish Priest)
I am a Franciscan Friar who joined the Ipswich Catholic community in mid 2016. I have previously ministered in parishes throughout Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. I have also ministered to those in formation (at seminary) and in Administration of the Order. I enjoy parish ministry as it is an opportunity to journey with parishioners in their faith and for me to be inspired and challenged by their Gospel living.
I try and follow the simple way that St. Francis of Assisi lived the Gospel of Jesus, and in my life I give witness to the Franciscan values of joy, peace and respect. Whilst here at Ipswich, I help in whatever way I can in the Sacramental life of the Community.
Lord, make us instruments of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
It has been a long journey for Fr. Minje, who arrived in Australia from South Korea in 2016.
“As an international tourist, I had come to see the Sydney Opera House and hold some koalas,” he said with a laugh. “I had also come to see how Australians worshipped God.”
When he landed in Brisbane, he met with the then-Vocation Brisbane director Fr Morgan Batt who took him to Ignite Conference, a Catholic youth festival.
“Fr Morgan wanted me to be inspired by God and told me about this event called Ignite,” he said. Fr. Minje was ordaned in 2023 and was appointed to the Ipswich Catholic Community in July 2023.
