I remember my parents driving me up to St Columba's College, Springwood, in February 1968. I had never seen a seminary before. I had come straight from school and was entering a seven year period of training for the diocesan priesthood. Over the period of my secondary schooling I had no doubt that this is what I was to do on leaving school. I remember visiting our school chapel, while still in primary class, and having the simple thought come to me so clearly - "One day you will be a priest".

The three years at Springwood and the four years then at St Patrick's College, Manly, ushered me into the world of the priesthood. The saying of the Divine Office daily, the wearing of the soutane, the studies in Scripture, Theology, Liturgy and even Hebrew, all opened me up to an environment of the ancient faith of the Church, to the desire of service to the Church and to the spirit of the uniquely Australian priesthood.

Ordination at St Mary's Cathedral in September 1974 was followed by my first pastoral appointment, Assistant Priest in the Parish of Kingsgrove. I spent more than seven years in this parish. My priestly enthusiasm particularly was devoted towards the youth. The sacramental ministry of daily and Sunday Masses, the many marriages, the funerals and opportunities to enter the lives of so many people was a most enriching experience. I was happy being a priest.

After those years a series of parish appointments along the coast - Manly, The Entrance, Woy Woy and Mona Vale brought much pastoral experience, and enabled me to develop my skills on a Wave Ski! All the time I was involved in the evangelisation and pastoral care of young people, alongside all the usual parish activities. Over these years I became more and more interested in the spiritual traditions of the Church and began reading more and more of the tradition. It fuelled my prayer life and inspired my Christian and priestly ideals.

The next years involved work with Covenant Communities which were a new phenomenon in the Church. Through this work I became responsible for the fostering of Consecrated Life for both men and women.

Returning to the Parish of Annandale in 1992 I realised how much I loved the ordinary parish life. From there I was appointed Parish Priest of Dulwich Hill, expecting a term of six years. This strongly multicultural parish in the inner suburbs of Sydney was stimulating and enjoyable. To my surprise in late 2001 the Archbishop asked me to become Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd and also to take on responsibility for the fostering of vocations in the Archdiocese.

Bishop Julian has been appointed as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was ordained in St Mary's Cathedral on 3 September 2003.