Haslemere Catholics now have not one but two parish priests.

In a change from usual tradition, two priests – Fathers Jonathan How and Rajesh Minz – will be covering duties in both Haslemere and Godalming.

They will be bringing their different strengths and skills to both parishes which between them cover churches in Haslemere, Hindhead and Chiddingfold, as well as Godalming, Farncombe and Milford.

Before a large congregation, the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, the Right Reverend Richard Moth, was recently present at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Haslemere, to induct the two priests.

Also attending were Father Tony Churchill, Provost of the Cathedral Chapter of Canons, and Father Chris Benyon, a former parish priest of Haslemere, now retired.

The new parish priests were introduced formally to the people they would be serving and made their Professions of Faith and Oaths of Fidelity.

They then received the Symbols of Office – the Gospels and the keys to the three churches of Our Lady of Lourdes, St Teresa’s Chiddingfold and St Anselm’s Hindhead.

Father Rajesh Minz, who will be living in the Presbytery in Weydown Road, Haslemere, was ordained in 2008 for the Diocese of Rourkela in the North East of India.

After ordination he served as an assistant parish priest and set up a new school. Later he was transferred to St Albert’s Seminary in Ranchi, India, where he taught theology for two years before being sent to do further studies in pastoral theology at Leuven, Belgium.

With the agreement of his bishop, who wished him to have the experience of living and working abroad as a missionary, he has served in Bexhill since 2015, before moving to Haslemere in September this year.

Father Rajesh, who the Bishop described as “a kind and gentle shepherd”, likes visiting families, care homes and the sick, elderly and housebound. His hobbies are reading, writing, walking and basketball games.

Father Jonathan, who will be based in Godalming but acting as a moderator for Haslemere, was ordained a priest in 1993 and was appointed to Godalming in October 2019. He has previously served in the parishes of Woking and Cobham.

He knows the area well from his 18 years on the staff of the Seminary at Wonersh, teaching philosophy and liturgy. He has an active involvement with the Scout Movement at local, national and international level and has actually served as a district commissioner for Haslemere. In his spare time he enjoys climbing and mountaineering.

The induction comes at the start of a year’s celebrations for the centenary of Our Lady of Lourdes church, which came into being in November 1923.

During the coming year many events have been planned, starting with the current exhibition of Christmas cribs at Haslemere Museum.

Each month there will be a special activity including a quiz night, lunches, various talks, workshops, wine tasting, and more. A photo exhibition will feature pictures taken in the church and parish over the past 100 years.