Parish Team

The Parish Team

Rev Fr Rajiv Michael

Parish Priest

Fr Rajiv was appointed as parish priest to St John’s and Blessed Sacrament in September 2023. Before discerning a call to the priesthood, he spent about a decade working first in India and then in the City of London. It was the love of Scripture and the Ministry of the Word which first drew him to the priesthood. When he’s not shuttling between the parishes or putting out fires, he’s usually breaking his head over a philosophy argument for his Masters. He remembers less stressful times when he had more time to visit art galleries, have dinner with friends, travel or simply sit down and enjoy some good single malt.

Rev Fr Jakub Joszko

Assistant Parish Priest

Fr Jakub is from Poland. He discerned his vocation with the Neocatechumenal Way, which was also instrumental in bringing him to deeper faith. He was subsequently sent to the Diocese of Westminster for his formation. As part of his journey of formation, he also spent four years as a missionary, traveling across the world— all the way from Israel to Papua New Guinea. Since his ordination, he’s spent nearly four years (for better or worse) at St John’s and Blessed Sacrament as Assistant Parish Priest. Anyone who’s talked to Fr Jakub would have been inspired by his favourite exhortation: “COURAGE!”

Rev Fr John Hemer

Mill Hill Missionary Priest

Fr John Hemer, is a Mill Hill missionary priest. He hails from Liverpool and was ordained in 1983. He has served in Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda and earned a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. For 28 years, he taught Scripture at seminaries in Uganda and England. Now in Islington parish, he continues part-time teaching at Allen Hall, gives public lectures, and leads retreats worldwide. He was the censor deputatus for the Revised New Jerusalem Bible. He says the best thing his superiors ever did for him was to send him to study Scripture. He’s very happy to be back in parish life.

Grace Wu

Parish Administrator

Grace, our Parish Administrator, spent much of her life sceptical of God, the church, and its followers. But, as He often does, God had other plans. Now, she’s a passionate advocate for everything she once dismissed. She loves working at St John’s and despite “administrator” being her title, paperwork is really the least interesting part of her job. What she truly cherishes is being part of and serving a faith community and appreciates there are few jobs where attending Mass during the day isn’t just accepted but encouraged. Beyond her devotion to God, Grace is a firm believer in the power of cake and chocolates to solve the world’s problems and thrives in navigating London’s bustling streets on her bike – sometimes with The Parish Dog along for the ride.

Tunky

Parish Dog

Tunky may be the smallest and youngest member of the Parish team but don’t underestimate his impact to the parish. His job is to be friendly and spread happiness to everyone he meets. In return, he gets big smiles and pats. He’s paid in doggie treats and sometimes gets an additional bonus in the form of a walk in Myddleton Square where he can terrorise the squirrels.

Parish Representatives

Parish Safeguarding Representative