Fr John was ordained on 1 September 1990 in Cork City, Ireland. He came to Melbourne in 1987. He commenced his ministry as an assistant priest in Endeavour Hills for 3 years before moving to Altona North for another 3 years and then to Clayton. He was appointed as the Parish Priest in Immaculate Conception in Westernport and after 5 1/2 years, he moved to St Brigid's Healesville. He was only there for about 8 months which is one of his deepest regrets. That same year he moved to St Anne's Seaford and was there for 12 years.

Fr John has always offered Adult Faith Education in any parish which he served. He is of the strong belief that people need to know their faith from an academic perspective to allow it to speak to us effectively. He believes that belonging involves both mind and heart. While much of his past studies have focused on systematic theology, he is currently undertaking his master's in biblical study focusing on the Old Testament.

Fr John has a user-friendly approach and can explain difficult concepts in easy terms. His hope is that you may begin to grasp what is offered in the Eucharist.Fr John would say his greatest asset is the people he serves. His priesthood spans 30 years and he believes that any wisdom/insights he has come from the people he serves. He also maintains that life is not found in books but in living well. For him, the Eucharist is essential to 'living well', as he says "in exploring the Eucharist I am confronted with the mystery of who I am as a spiritual being."