Fr Nicolas Maurice was raised in Brisbane, studied engineering at the University of Queensland, joined the seminary for Lismore diocese and studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
He was ordained for the Diocese of Lismore on July 3, 2008.
He is a lecturer at Vianney College, Wagga Wagga, and an assistant priest at St Carthageís Cathedral, Lismore.
Q: What did you want to be as a child?
A: I can’t really remember wanting to be anything in particular. I have very fond memories of my boyhood. Perhaps I was too focused on just doing all the things boys did to think much about the future.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a priest?
A: I used to work as an engineer at the University of Queensland. During that time I was blessed to be able to speak regularly to a wise old priest. Through my conversations with him I began to discern that the Lord was likely calling me to become a priest. The desire to become a priest became firmer when I discerned this call from the Lord.
Q: Being a priest, what do you see as the most important change people need to make in their spiritual life?
a: Blessed John Henry Newman wrote that “to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often”. The disciple of Christ makes a step forward when he or she acknowledges that walking with Christ involves changing, growing and maturing.
Q: What brings you joy?
A: For me, there are natural joys like sharing a meal with friends or going for a good bushwalk. There are also joys springing from participation in the life of Grace like prayer, the offering of Holy Mass, the witnessing of the action of grace in the souls of others.
Q: When do you really need to turn to prayer?
A: Although prayer is something that punctuates my day, like many others I resort to prayer especially during trials and difficulties. Talking to Our Lord about what is happening brings new light and fresh resolve, and the peace that only He can give.
Q: What is your hidden talent?
a: I can’t really think of a hidden talent that I have.
