Fr Jesse will be commissioned by the Bishop of Grafton, the Rt Rev Dr Murray, during a service beginning at 6 o'clock.

He was born in the Hunter Valley in the riverside town of Maitland, and is excited to get back to his country base.

"I have enjoyed driving around the beautiful countryside, and having conversations with locals - everyone has been warm and welcoming," Fr Jesse said.

Baptised and confirmed at Saint Mark's Church in Islington in 2014, Fr Jesse served as Ministry Apprentice for Saint Peter's Church in East Maitland until he was called to ordination by Bishop John Ford of South Australia in 2017.

He comes to Kempsey from Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, where he served as priest for Saint Augustine's Church in Victor Harbor.

Fr Jesse has a passion for advocating for social issues such as youth mental health, homelessness, food insecurity, disability inclusion, and working alongside people from all walks of life.

"The work and ministry of All Saints' Church is deeply imbedded into the living history of Kempsey," he said.

"I am excited to nurture these relationships within the community, and to build new ones.

"It has been an immense privilege to be called to serve the people of the Kempsey district.

"I pray daily that I will be faithful to God's calling on my life, to love and serve you to the best of my ability, in all my human frailty."

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