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Father Marc Trickey is stepping down as the Chaplain of the Commandery of St John Guernsey, after 15 years in the role.
He was appointed in 2005 by the Priory Dean of St John England, having been recommended for the role by Nik Van Leuven - the then Chairman of the Bailiwick Council of St John.
“It has been an honour to serve as Chaplain and support the great work of St John Ambulance in Guernsey," said Father Marc. "I have witnessed the growth of the charity and the development of the one St John vision – bringing people together for the good of the organisation and the wider community."
“I obviously knew a bit about St John prior to my appointment, but I had not had much direct involvement, other than having to call on the services of ambulance staff when I stepped on a weaver fish, but I have learned a lot about the various roles of St John in the community.
Pictured: Father Marc Trickey at the 25th anniversary of the Flying Christine with the new Chaplain.
"It goes without saying that the work of the emergency ambulance service is extremely well thought of in the island, but then there are the other practical sides of St John, such as training people in life saving first aid, event cover and the provision of youth work, which the charity does a very good job at. Not just teaching first aid but also working together and developing friendships and life-long skills."
Father Marc used his role to support the organisation, while reminding all those connected with it of the roots of the charity going back to St John of Jerusalem.
“Although we welcome people from all faiths and no faith, I hope I have acted as a reminder to staff and volunteers of the foundations of St John and therefore encouraged those who serve to live by the values of St John and act for the faith and service of humanity," he added.
Father Marc conducted the annual church service and rededication, and represented the Bailiwick at national events at the St John Priory in England.
Pictured: Father Marc Trickey has worked with St John for 15 years.
He was brought up in a Christian family and attended church as a child, before getting the calling to train as a priest. After studying theology at Durham, he was ordained in 1964 and moved to Guernsey in 1977 to become Rector of St Martin's, before serving as the Dean of Guernsey.
“Father Marc has been involved with the Commandery since its formation in 2012, but was active within St John before then," commented Knight Commander of St John Guernsey, Andrew Henton. "He has been a source of constant support and counsel; his spiritual guidance has been invaluable.”
Father Marc will hand over his duties at a ceremony next month and will be succeeded by Reverend Dr David Coulter of St Andrew's Church in the Grange - a former Army Chaplain, Chaplain General to HM Land Forces and Chaplain to St John Ambulance Wiltshire.
Pictured top: Father Marc Trickey.
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