After two years of serving the St Brendan’s Church community in Shepparton, associate priest Father Jackson Saunders is bidding farewell to take up a new role in Bendigo.
His departure marks the end of a chapter where faith, community service and a passion for broadcasting local sports came together in a truly unique way.
Fr Jackson’s journey to priesthood was anything but conventional. Before he felt God’s call, he spent his early career as a journalist.
Fresh out of Year 12 at Catholic College Bendigo, he joined the newsroom of the Bendigo Advertiser as a cadet journalist. For a year and a half, he covered everything from crime and local politics to community celebrations and milestone anniversaries.
“I’m forever thankful for my time at the Bendigo Advertiser,” Fr Jackson said.
“I loved journalism.
“I was very much able to be exposed to the highs and lows of life, which we sadly see in journalism at times, but also to celebrate those moments of community and great activities.”
Fr Jackson’s storytelling extended beyond print as he delved into sports broadcasting. At just 16, Fr Jackson began commentating on local radio, from Vision Australia to Phoenix FM to Fresh FM, a passion that has stayed with him for 17 years.
Even during his seminary years, Fr Jackson continued to broadcast football matches, rushing back to Bendigo from Melbourne on Saturdays to call games while balancing his priestly training.
“I was fearful that I would have to give up my broadcasting interests, which is where I show my journalistic flair and creativity,” he said.
“But thankfully, I was able to continue broadcasting.
“Broadcasting football has been a joy and a ministry in itself.
“It’s a way of connecting with people beyond the church.”
Ordained in 2022, Jackson was appointed as an associate priest at St Brendan’s. During his time in Shepparton, he became a familiar face not only at the church but also at aged care homes, hospitals and local schools.
Whether leading mass, visiting the sick or chatting with parishioners, Fr Jackson found joy in serving “Shepparton’s vibrant and diverse community”, estimating that over 30 nationalities are represented in the congregation.
“I’ve been very loved by the local community, and I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to love and serve them as their priest,” he said.
“I find my ministry so life-giving and rewarding.
“But there can be challenges too.
“As priests, we’re, in many ways, always on the job, so that can be challenging at times.
“We are constantly being asked to preach or to teach (pardon the pun), so we’re always thinking about ‘what am I going to say at my next homily for Sunday or the school mass, or for the weekday mass, or a funeral or a wedding?’
“That brings a lot of life, but there’s also a lot of work involved with that too.
“We do have a very busy schedule.
“Sometimes we get called in the middle of the night to be with somebody who’s sick or dying or deceased, and that’s not always easy.
“Priests are human too.
“We get tired.
“We get stressed occasionally.”
Fr Jackson finds swimming, running and commentating sports to be great outlets to lead a balanced life.
When asked about his journey to God, Fr Jackson indicated that through his work in youth ministry and encouragement from others, he began to feel that God was calling him to serve.
“I never had a moment where I thought it was a thunder and lightning moment where God said, ‘Jackson be a priest’,” he said.
“But there were lots of gentle signs in my life, and lots of moments where I felt that God was suggesting to me, in my prayers and thoughts, that God wanted me to be a priest.
“On a lighter note, there was one man in my home parish growing up who, when I was 15, started calling me ‘Monsignor’ as a joke.
“People would say to me that they thought I would be a good priest.
“At times, I didn’t want to hear that, but they could see that I had the qualities to be a priest.
“I thought by doing that I would experience the most amount of peace, joy and happiness in my life, and that’s certainly been my case.
“I feel very fulfilled in my ministry and love what I do.
Although he briefly left seminary during his third year for six months to reflect on his calling further, the experience solidified his decision to pursue priesthood.
Fr Jackson said he would look back on his time in Shepparton with fondness.
“I love the multiculturalism of Shepparton,” he said.
“I’ve loved mixing with leaders of other Christian faiths and other religions.
“Peace begins in our own backyard, like world peace begins with those around us, in our local community and with peace in our own hearts.
“I’ve enjoyed the connection with our local politicians and civic leaders too, who have been a great support in our ministry as well.”
Despite his busy schedule, Fr Jackson maintained his love for sports broadcasting. Known as ‘The Pontiff’ on local radio station One FM, he often juggled church duties and calling football matches.
“There have been times I’ve gone straight from a funeral to a football ground or rushed back to Shepparton for mass after a game,” he said.
“I just love calling the footy.
“I love the game, but also know it brings a lot of joy to people, both those on the ground, and those at home, and we reach so many people.
“It’s a calling within a calling, like my call is to priesthood.”
Now, Fr Jackson is preparing to return to Bendigo, where he will serve as an assistant priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral and two nearby parishes. He’ll also take on chaplaincy roles at local schools and continue his beloved football commentary at Fresh FM.
“I’m very excited to be returning to my home town,” he said.
Sacred Heart Cathedral holds a “special meaning” for Fr Jackson, as it is the place where he was ordained a deacon and a priest.
Fr Jackson’s final mass at St Brendan’s will be on Sunday, January 5, at 11am. While his departure is bittersweet, he remains hopeful about remaining connected to the Shepparton community.
“I love St Brendan’s,” Fr Jackson said.
“I’ve loved working with Father Joe Taylor, the parish priests and other priests that have been here during my time in Shepparton.
“We’ve got great staff, both in the parish and in our schools, it is really the friendships that I will miss the most.
“There’s a saying amongst priests that you leave your heart in your first parish.
“Shepparton is a very special place.
“I would ask people to pray for me and to not be afraid to say hello if they see me or to drop in if in Bendigo.
“I could give them a tour of the cathedral.
“I know that’s goodbye for now, but it’s not a goodbye for ever.
“I have hopes of returning to Shepparton as a priest again in the future.”