by Barry de Silva
Born in Murwillumbah and raised on a dairy farm, Fr Paul McDonald reflects on his life of service, the enduring joy of parish ministry, and his role as vicar general for the diocese.
Following his schooling at Mount St Patrick Primary School and Murwillumbah High School, Fr Paul began working as an articled clerk with a firm of solicitors in Murwillumbah where he also undertook legal studies part-time.
During those years, his connection to parish life deepened. “I became involved in the parish youth group and also a service club for young men aged 18 to 40, where I served as secretary, treasurer, and public relations officer during my five years of membership,” Fr Paul says. “As I became more involved in the parish and community, I began to feel the call to priesthood, where I might be more fulfilled in serving God and the community.”
Fr Paul later applied to become a seminarian for the diocese and began formation at St Patrick’s College, Manly, completing a Bachelor of Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Satterthwaite on 30 August 1982 at Sacred Heart Church, Murwillumbah.
Serving across the diocese
Over 43 years of priesthood, Fr Paul has served in a variety of pastoral appointments, including as parish priest at Murwillumbah, and Coffs Harbour parishes, and later as administrator of St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore, before his current role as Kingscliff Parish Priest.
“My involvement in the pastoral, sacramental, and Church life of the parish gives meaning, purpose, and fulfilment to my ministry,” he says. “I enjoy the community and parish of Kingscliff. While administrative tasks are less enjoyable, they are a necessary part of the role.”
Alongside his parish ministry, Fr Paul now serves as Vicar General for the diocese — a role that supports Bishop Greg Homeming in the pastoral and administrative governance of the diocese. “When the bishop is away, the vicar general may be called upon to represent him and exercise his executive authority in running the diocese.”
“My involvement in the pastoral, sacramental, and Church life of the parish gives meaning, purpose, and fulfilment to my ministry.”
Fr Paul’s week is full, balancing parish life with broader diocesan responsibilities. “My diary sometimes requires juggling parish and diocesan commitments,” he says with a smile. “There are many meetings, including the Council of Priests, the College of Consultors, and the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools, where I am a board member.
Fr Paul’s experiences on these boards, including previously at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Lismore, he says, have broadened his view of how the Church functions as one body. “They’ve helped me appreciate the larger picture of the diocesan and universal Church, as well as the local parish, and how they all work together.”
Collaboration and renewal
In recent years, Fr Paul has been actively involved in the Diocesan Renewal Journey, collaborating with neighbouring parishes to improve processes. “Over the past 18 months, I’ve enjoyed working more closely with the neighbouring parishes of Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads,” he says. “We’ve discovered that the parishes of the Tweed Valley share much in common and can all benefit from sharing ideas and resources.”
Having witnessed a Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) before and been involved in the consultation process for its return, Fr Paul is looking forward to the body’s reestablishment in 2026. “I was in Lismore when the first DPC was formed in 1987 to mark the centenary of the diocese – I’m excited to see it return.”
A balanced life
Despite his demanding schedule, Fr Paul values balance and wellbeing. “Living in Kingscliff provides an opportunity to have an active and healthy lifestyle — early morning walks with my dog, Zara, along the foreshore, a quick dip in the ocean followed by a piccolo, and the gym is only a three-minute walk from the presbytery,” he enthuses. “While my running days are over, there are many other opportunities for physical fitness.”
Music is another passion that brings joy and community connection. “I’ve really enjoyed playing second clarinet with the Lismore Symphony Orchestra since 2008.”
After more than four decades, Fr Paul continues to serve with the same humility and enthusiasm that first drew him to the priesthood. “My pastoral work continues to bring meaning and fulfilment,” he reflects. “It’s a privilege to serve God and the people of our diocese.”
