Catholic worshippers in Mount Gambier and Millicent have recently welcomed a new parish priest and a seminarian.

Father Peter Zwaans takes the helm of the two parishes after Father Dean Marin was promoted to be the Adelaide Catholic Archdiocese Vicar-General based at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in the capital city.

Father Peter was previously the parish priest of Brooklyn Park in suburban Adelaide and the director of vocations for the archdiocese.

Trainee priest James Thomson will also be based in Mount Gambier and has been studying at Boston in the USA.

All going well, Mr Thomson will be ordained a deacon in 2022.

Father Peter has explained that he undertook the formal Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity at a recent Sunday Mass as this is required of all parish priests upon taking up a new appointment.

“We declare our belief in the articles of the Creed and also the Magisterium of the Church, and we also promise to faithfully exercise the responsibilities of a parish priest according to the laws and norms of the Church,” Father Peter said in the weekly newsletter.

“Whilst it may all sound a little formal, please let me assure you that I take these words very seriously.

“I make the oath of fidelity with my hand on the book of the Holy Gospels and invoke God’s name and blessing over the promise I have made.

“Please pray for me, that what I profess with my lips may find deep root in my heart and expression in my deeds.”