OUR Lady of the Southern Cross College formally introduced their new chaplain at their mass on Tuesday morning.

Chaplain Father Jim Cronin opened the school mass with a speech welcoming the students to the new school year.

Following his recent move to the Dalby area from Chinchilla, Fr Cronin said he was pleased with the friendly environment.

“During my travels I have managed to make many friends and the studies I have undertaken with Theology will help the community grow,” he said.

Fr Cronin has been a priest for 41 years now and said he was asked by the St Joseph’s Catholic Church Bishop to take over from previous school chaplain Michael Cooney.

“As I am the only Catholic priest in town, the school has welcomed me with open arms,” he said.

“I’m sure OLSCC and the parish will work well together, and that the teachers will be happy so we can all be good Christian witnesses.”

Fr Cronin’s task for the school will be to celebrate liturgies, attend school board meetings and meet parents and teachers.

Dalby FSD was also present at the mass to present the school with a $2000 bursary to OLSCC.

FSD also supplies the same bursary to Dalby State School and Dalby Christian College each year.